Youth Service Summit: Home

What is the Service in Schools Youth Service Summit? 

The Service in Schools Youth Service Summit aims to inspire students in grades 3-5 to help their communities after participating in an engaging service-learning lesson and building a service project led by high school student leaders. Each participating elementary school class will be matched with a small group of high school student leaders who will teach an interactive lesson on one of the following topics: animal welfare, disability rights, fast fashion and the environment, or housing and homelessness. 

Who is eligible to participate in the Youth Service Summit?

Grades 3-5 NYC public school classes are eligible to participate. Only educators who have not participated in past Service in Schools programming will be considered for participation in the in-person Youth Service Summit. In addition, to ensure that as many schools as possible have an opportunity to participate, Service in Schools can only consider one class per school for participation.

How many students per school can participate in a lesson? 

Service in Schools recommends that educators select a class no larger than 25 students, as this class size will support the high school students in successfully managing and engaging all your students in the lesson. Other student class sizes and configurations will be considered for participation based on the information provided in the application. 

What is expected of educators participating in the Youth Service Summit? 

Educators interested in having their class participate should complete the program application by 11:59pm on Tuesday, April 16. Educators selected to participate must confirm support from their principal (an email template will be provided). Service in Schools also encourages participating educators to lead their students in a service-learning project connected to the topic covered in the Youth Service Summit lesson. Service in Schools will provide resources and support for educators to plan and carry out this project with their students before the end of this school year. 

Where will the Youth Service Summit take place?

The Youth Service Summit will be held on Friday, May 24, 2024, 10:00am-1:00pm. The summit will be held in Upper Manhattan, Morningside Heights, exact location details will be shared with applicants upon acceptance. 

Can my class participate in the Youth Service Summit if I have participated in past Service in Schools programs (such as the Youth Service Summit, Kids Action Team, Students Advocating For the Environment, Race Against Waste, or Students Taking Action Today)? 

Unfortunately NO. This program is open to educators who have not previously participated in a Service in Schools program. If you are a Service in Schools alum looking for additional service opportunities for your students, email ServiceinSchools@schools.nyc.gov and the team will connect you to relevant opportunities!

What are the benefits of participating in the Youth Service Summit?

This program offers students the opportunity to learn from high school student leaders while gaining knowledge on a community need and discovering how young people can have an impact on their community. The service lesson will include an engaging activity to learn about the issue and the ways that youth can help and/or teach others about the issue in their community. 

In addition to providing students a connection with high school student leaders from across the city who will serve as role models and learning-partners, the Youth Service Summit also offers educators a jumping-off point to extend their students' learning by engaging their class in a service project this June or next fall. 

If you have any additional questions about the Youth Service Summit, email ServiceinSchools@schools.nyc.gov.