Utah Youth Service Marathon Projects

Utah's Youth Service Marathon is a statewide effort to demonstrate the power of youth to effect meaningful change throughout Utah by implementing 26 impactful service projects this school year culminating on April 25, 2009: Global Youth Service Day.

How you can participate

Choose one or more of the projects listed below by geographical area or your interest in the need being met.
Contact the project leader listed at the end of each summary.
Show up to help and bring friends!

Our goals, our partners, our plan

The goal of the Utah Youth Service Marathon is to involve as many youth, community members, business and non-profit partners as possible to raise awareness of the power of youth to impact communities through service -- and of course to effect real change all over our State!

Each of our partners -- an impressive group of Utah’s most effective youth service advocates -- is spreading the word about these opportunities to serve to their constitutencies.

The service projects selected will be actively promoted to all media, newspapers, radio, and television, before and especially on April 25, 2009 to give young volunteers the recognition they deserve.

Each project has received up to $1000 funding to make each project even more effective, but each project needs in-kind donations to achieve success.

View project proposal form and required interim and final reports for accepted projects.

2008-2009 Utah Youth Service Marathon projects listed by area/city

Central Utah:

The Central Utah Food Share has seen a higher demand than ever before for families requesting food, and is having trouble keeping up with need in the current economic crisis. The Volunteer Connection (Six County RSVP and Volunteer Center) which covers the Six County Region (Juab, Sanpete, Piute, Millard, Wayne, Sevier Counties) will partner with 4H youth, Central Utah Food Share, and local grocery stores to meet this need. Boxes will be placed in local grocery stores throughout the six county region and youth groups with the 4-H programs will be encouraging individuals to donate one item of food while doing their regular grocery shopping. The project will start on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 19, 2008. On April 25, 2009, the 4-H and other youth will gather the donated food from the local grocery stores and deliver it to the Food Bank where they will unload and weigh the food. For more info, contact Shara Bastian 435-893-0735 sbastian@sixaog.state.ut.us.

Clinton:

Clinton City Youth Council is working with local elementary schools to provide hygiene kits and lap blankets for The Road Home shelter in Salt Lake City, a population really struggling in a tough economy. 6 elementary schools will have a contest to see which class can collect the most supplies. Clinton Youth Council members will be assigned to each school to help and follow-up. Each elementary student council will assist the Clinton City Youth Council in assembling the hygiene kits and blankets. On April 25, 2009, the Clinton City Youth Council will invite all participating elementary student council members to a special breakfast, a service project, and celebration of all their hard work. Clinton Youth Council members and all the elementary student council members will deliver the supplies to The Road Home. For more information contact Julie Davis 801-499-1963 davisju@ldschurch.org.

Duchesne:

The Family Career Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) club of Duchesne and Uintah Basin has partnered with the Stay Alive program to raise funds for AIDS prevention in Africa. Through events in the community and school assemblies they will work to educate their school and community about the devastating effects of HIV/ AIDS and how the Stay Alive program is helping reduce the AIDS epidemic in Africa. Stay Alive is an educational AIDS prevention program that is helping reduce AIDS in Africa where children are taught through a series of lessons, about choices, consequences, and responsibility. They will be collecting donations for the Stay Alive program through assemblies, booths at health fairs, the Trees for Charity auction, and other fundraising events. They will also be organizing an event where youth can make puppets that go along with the Stay Alive lessons. The goal of this project is to educate the youth in their community about the challenges faced by people in the other parts of the world and how we can help them and make a difference for as little as 75 cents. They will also partner with local AIDS organizations to learn about the challenges that result from AIDS that are present in their own community. On April 25, 2009 a final assembly or presentation will be held to show the students that participated what amount was raised and congratulate them on their contributions to bring knowledge and "life" to many African children, youth, and their families. For more information contact Amber and Brandi Moon at 435- 738-5571 or glmoon@ubtanet.com.

The Theodore Cemetery in Duchesne founded in 1906 was the first cemetery in the county. Its grounds and grave markers are currently in great need of repair and through the restoration of the cemetery the people of Uintah Basin will be educated on the history of the cemetery and those who are buried there. This project will include a survey of the grounds, creation of a natural pathway through the cemetery, repairs to the border fence, efforts to contact families of those buried there, creation of headstones for unmarked graves, installation of a rock bench memorializing those buried there and the installation of a cemetery name plate at the entrance. Partnering with Duchesne City Beautification Committee, local Boy Scouts and various other community members this project will impact the entire community and help decrease vandalism of the cemetery. The official unveiling of the restored cemetery will happen on April 25, 2009 and community members will be encouraged to attend. For more information about this project, contact Gordon or Brady Moon at (435) 738-5571 glmoon@ubtanet.com

Heber:

The Wasatch High School Interact Club is expanding its recycling program to reduce overall waste produced at the school. The team of students will be adding cardboard, plastic, aluminum, and tin collection to their paper collection program already in place and supported by the Rotary Club of Heber. The student team also hopes to create media advertisement and educational segments to promote the program and recycling in general. The WHS Interact Club will also travel to several recycling plants to see the results of their efforts. In April, the Interact Club will sponsor an Earth Day celebration with results of the program shared and trees planted at the site of the new high school building. Please email Carrie Bala with questions or comments at carrie.bala@wasatch.edu.

Hurricane:

The second grade at Hurricane Elementary, along with family, friends, and other members of the Hurricane community are undertaking the service project "Blankets of Hope". Throughout November and December, we are making fleece tie-blankets for children that will be spending their holidays in the Dixie Regional Medical Hospital. From January through April, we will be making 'blankets of hope' for the military men and women defending our freedom overseas in Afghanistan. Over 100 volunteers have already committed to donating their time and efforts to these projects. On April 25, 2009, we will invite families of our military men and women, the parents of young children living with terminal illnesses, community leaders from the Hurricane City Council, Hurricane's firefighters and police men and women, and all other family and friends that want to reach out a hand to make a difference in our community to a special celebration. In our school auditorium, our second grade student committee will reflect on our experiences and open the door to future projects of hope. If you would like to donate time or supplies, please contact Liz Vari evari@hes.washk12.org 218-779-0170.

Logan:

The students of the Utah State University Marketing Club will partner with CAPSA (Community Abuse Prevention Services Agency) to increase the awareness of its services for victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault and improve the living standards of the CAPSA shelter home. In the winter months, club members will shovel snow to decrease safety hazards at the CAPSA house, distribute informational pamphlets and seek additional volunteers through USU classes, and fund newspaper ads regarding CAPSA's services. On April 25, 2009, Global Youth Service Day, club members will landscape the yard at the CAPSA shelter by repairing the sprinkler system, planting flowers, and providing funding for a new lawn mower. Part of our funds will be donated by the American Marketing Association Foundation. The work of these volunteers will affect the lives of dozens of women each month who seek shelter through CAPSA. To get involved with volunteer work or donations, please contact Rachel Nichol, VP of Service 801-502-7232 r.nichol@aggiemail.usu.edu.

Murray:

The Murray City Youth Council is working with Murray's Chamber of Commerce, Murray City Mayor & Council, Murray's Fire Dept., and Utah's BE READY & C.E.R.T. Campaign to address emergency preparedness for local businesses. Students will be developing and implementing a survey on attitudes of local businesses about emergency preparedness. They will also undertake a publicity campaign to bring attention to the need for an emergency plan: when a business is impacted with a devastating loss, 80% do not recover. They will also create a data base of emergency preparedness information for businesses from the State, FEMA and other venues. This information will be distributed monthly to the Murray business community, with the goal of getting a "move on" efforts to get more prepared. On April 25, 2009, there will be a Celebration of accomplishments, presentation and discussion of survey results with Chamber members, the Mayor and Council members and local business owners. For more info, contact Sheri Van Bibber 801-284-4260 sherivan@gmail.com.

Ogden:

The Future Educators Association, FCCLA and Ogden H.S. Key Club will be working with OWCAP (HeadStart), Ogden school district's literacy program, Wisebird Bookery, Scholastic Books, and Ogden Kiwanis to promote early childhood literacy. Research shows that children who are raised in poverty enter the school system with a vocabulary that is 50% less than children who are not raised in poverty. The average child in poverty has two or fewer books in their home. 65% of children qualify for fee waivers in Ogden School District and many neighborhoods are at the poverty level. High school students will work together to bring 3,000 books to local children through drives at their school and donations from the community. They will also interact and read to children in HeadStart. On April 25th, 2009, HeadStart children will perform one act plays written and directed in collaboration with Ogden high school students involved in the project. For more info, contact Suzie Davis 801-737-8668 daviss@ogdensd.org.

Price:

The College of Eastern Utah SUN Center is partnering with the Active Re-Entry of Southeastern Utah, and the United Way of Southeastern Utah to plan and implement an alternative Spring Break Service Project on the Navajo Reservation near Bluff, Utah. During this project, about CEU students will be working to fulfill some of the needs of the members of the Navajo Nation, which may include building ramps to allow mobility for the elderly or basic needs, painting and maintaining homes, and finishing corrals or outhouses. On April 25, 2009 the SUN Center will host a Recognition/Reflection Community event. For more information contact Kathy Murray at 435-613-5284 Kathy.Murray@ceu.edu.

The College of Eastern Utah SUN Center is partnering with Newborns in Need: Helping Hands Chapter, located in Price, Utah, which serves the state of Utah. The NIN program caters to hospitals, homeless shelters, family crisis centers, county health units, police stations that provide for the needs of premature and newborn babies that are sick or in crisis. Students and community members will make baby quilts and blankets, baby clothes and bibs, and hold drives for new and gently used baby items. On April 25, 2009, the SUN Center will host a 'Newborn Health Fair' and luncheon where NIN and CEU nursing department will provide education and information about newborn and preemie health concerns. For more info, contact Jennifer Cawley 435-613-5624 jcawley07@gmail.com.

Provo:

The Brigham Young University Rotaract Club is partnering with the Asia Foundation, the Rotary Club of Provo, Rotary International, and the Worldwide Book Drive to supply textbooks and other resources to individuals and schools within the Republic of North Korea. North Korea's 20 million inhabitants are currently facing famine conditions, a devastated economy, and social oppression. To enable these people to break the cycle of poverty and repression, we hope to give them the most valuable social, economic and moral tool on earth: education. Providing the nation with sorely needed academic and English language-learning texts will provide a basis for positive change for generations to come. We plan on collecting 10,000 texts by April, including a campus book drive culminating on April 25, 2009. The Asia Foundation will transport and deliver the books to its sources in North Korea. For more information please contact Stacey Mork 650-784-6305 staceymork@yahoo.com.

Roosevelt:

The Eagle View Elementary Girls Club in Roosevelt will provide 650 (number of births anticipated) packets containing children's books and an informative flyer to new mothers and their babies at our local hospital. Reading to children at an early age has on a child's overall success in school. The students have a goal of raising $1000 to match the UYSM grant through a reading contest among all the children in the school. Each classroom will set their goal, and local businesses will sponsor classrooms and donate money to those who meet their goal. This project will also involve the Connections after school program, the school library, local hospital, local bookstore, and local businesses willing to help. On April 25, 2009, students will go to the local hospital and deliver the packets, then return for a community celebration, with a guest speaker on the importance of reading to children. If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Farnsworth 435-722-2247 X1603 kathy.farnsworth@unitah.net.

Salt Lake City area:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah's Mural Art project at the Salt Lake YWCA aims to empower children and women from abusive backgrounds through inspirational art. Approximately 400 youth from 20 low-moderate income elementary schools throughout the Salt Lake Valley will each design a 1' X 1' square to represent their impressions of what it means to be a community that cares through service. The children will also receive information and reflect on this topic during the school year. The culminating event on April 25, 2009 will be the unveiling of the 5' high and 80' long mural in a community presentation and program at the Salt Lake YWCA's Early Child Care Center. For more information, please contact Suzanne Leonelli or Heidi Patterson 801-313-0303 suzanne.leonelli@bbbs.org.

Camp Kostopulos is working on a project to re-vegetate native trees and beautify their grounds, while providing recreation activities for people ages 7 to 70 with all types of physical, emotional and cognitive challenges. For 41 years Camp Kostopulos has provided year-round activities at their 25 acre facility in Emigration Canyon, improving the lives of children, teens, and adults with disabilities and special needs through recreation, education and growth experiences. Those with disabilities who receive services at Camp K will work with staff members and youth volunteers to plan and lead the re-vegetation project. From December through April they will be researching the items needed and working on collecting donations for materials and plants. Planting and seeding projects will begin in April and culminate on April 25, 2009 with a tree-planting ceremony and dedication of the new Equestrian Center at Camp Kostopulos. For more information, to donate trees, shrubs and wildflower seeds, or to volunteer to help, contact Operations Manager Mike Divricean, 801-582-0700 ext. 105. or Cheryl Smith at csmith@campk.org.

Project Guuleysi, a program of Utah Federation For Youth (UFY), is a targeted after school program designed to serve a specialized high-need refugee population of 6-18 years old on Salt Lake City's west side. UFY has teamed up with Girls on the Run to provide a 10-week self-esteem building and wellness course for 3rd and 4th grade girls from Mountain View Elementary. At the end of these 10 weeks, the girls along with youth from Glendale Middle, East High, West High, and Highland High will serve at an aid station for the Salt Lake City Marathon on April 18, 2009. Students will wake at 4 a.m. to be at the station by 4:45 a.m. to mix Gatorade, pour water, set up tables, pick up trash, and provide support for 5000+ runners/bikers as they pass the aid station. UFY needs volunteers to help at the aid station to support the youth and the runners. Contact Marni Timmerman marni@ufyi.org for more info.

Utah Dispute Resolution and Horizonte High School Peer Mediators are working together to help promote peace in the downtown Salt Lake City community by teaching the kids of today how to be the peacemakers of tomorrow. Over the next few months the high school Peer Mediators will develop lesson plans and curriculum to teach 10-12 year olds how to peacefully solve problems and prevent conflicts. The twenty students will create six lessons and present them to 100 elementary students in the spring as workshops for the classes at a local elementary school. We're hoping to involve the community further by seeking donations for rewards for the students and preparation of the materials both for the mediators to teach with and the students to learn from. If you are interested in helping with the planning, teaching, or material preparation, please contact Heather Threlkeld, Utah Dispute Resolution, 801-532-4841 heather.threlkeld@utahstatebar.org www.utahdisputeresolution.org

The Sudan Community Empowerment Project at Westminster College recognizes that displaced persons in all parts of the world face immeasurable difficulties: from attempting to survive brutal circumstances, to searching for empowerment through which to escape cycles of violence, to adapting to new environments after leaving their homes and their cultures. We will work with refugee populations both locally in Salt Lake City and overseas in Duk Padiet, in Southern Sudan, to raise awareness of sensitive and urgent refugee issues, raise money to continue building a school in Duk Padiet, engage youth in measures to eradicate genocide and protecting human rights, and befriend the displaced youth living in Salt Lake City. We will host a series of events including a "Die In" political education and engagement day, a "Camp Darfur" display, a film screening, and the "Two Dollar Challenge" sponsorship fundraiser. These events will culminate in "The Drop," a service, reflection and celebration event on April 25, 2009. If you would like more info or to help Westminster College students and mentors (including the Social Science Club, the STAND Chapter, the Spiritual Life Office, the Center for Civic Engagement) in working with the International Rescue Committee on this project to benefit countless individuals, including the almost 200 children and teachers living in Duk Padiet who will benefit from the school, contact. Amanda Ruiz aar0830@westminstercollege.edu (303) 885-9512.

Physicians for Human Rights, a pre-med student organization on the University of Utah campus, is partnering to raise awareness and funds for the YWCA domestic violence shelter in the Salt Lake City. Since 1976, the YWCA has been Utah's oldest, largest, and most comprehensive provider of shelter, transitional housing, and supportive services for women and children who have experienced family violence. The students will plan, seek sponsors and participants for two events: a 5K Fun Run/Walk fundraiser to be held on April 11, 2009 and Kids Day (obstacle course and treasure hunt) to be held April 25, 2009. In order to raise awareness about these family issues, local organizations, businesses, and community members are asked to provide booths at both events. For more information or to become involved in this project, please contact Beth Ehrhardt (YWCA) 801-537-8614 behrhardt@ywca.com or Michael Morgan (PHR) 801-808-3515 mhmorgan2@mac.com.

"Turn Your Key and be Idle Free" is the slogan on the car stickers we are passing out to educate our community about the economic, environmental, and health issues of idling vehicles www.idlefree.utah.gov. We are the P.E.A.C.E. Team from Morningside Elementary: Protect Everyone And our Cool Earth. We have partnered with Utah Clean Cities, the Environmental Manager of the Salt Lake City Corporation, a University of Utah professor with a grant from the National Science Foundation: "Materials and Engineering for a Sustainable Future", and Utah Moms for Clean Air. We will present our message at community council meetings, community functions, and get materials to 50+ elementary schools for an anti-idling campaign. The Granite Education Foundation will help fund anti-idling blankets to remind motorists to dress warmly, and use blankets while they wait in a vehicle this winter. We will be showcasing our work on April 25, 2009 at the Library Square Festival of Science and Art Exhibit. If your school or business is interested, please contact Patti White 801-608-1763 pwhite@graniteschools.org.

The Salt Lake City Refugee Assistance Project - a combined project of West High School, the International Rescue Committee, the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) Utah Section, and YouthLINC - will help local refugee families obtain needed clothing, household items and furniture. English language learners and honors students at West High School, with the help of their teachers, NCJW and YouthLINC volunteers will develop a system that will lead to a study group, a unit on volunteerism, a needs assessment that can be used with those helping the refugee community, and a growing appreciation of the cultural strengths that diverse voices bring to Salt Lake City. Additionally, the NCJW's annual Salaam/Shalom/Tikkun Olam Christmas Project, which meets unmet household needs of the refugees, will be housed at West High School, and will provide further opportunities for volunteers. We hope to impact up to thirty families, increase interaction between the refugee and native-born students. The culmination will be an artistic presentation in April describing what was learned and accomplished through a display at the Youth Service Expo. For more info, please contact Rochelle Kaplan at 801-942-6226 ro@wifunds.com, Rebecca Burton 801-635-8573 becky@youthlinc.org or Susana Anderson 801-578-8500 ext.419 or 801-662-9188 susana.anderson@slc.k12.ut.us.

Realms of Inquiry School students will be working with an Assisted Living facility to develop written histories that celebrate Utah history and the lives of the elderly. Over six months, students will make regularly scheduled visits to an assistance community, developing inter-generational relationships with their "grand-friends," providing companionship to the elderly. The students will craft interview questions and create a polished piece of writing that communicates the oral history of each Utahan. These polished pieces will be included in the student's end-of-year portfolios and will celebrate the history and diversity of Utah's people. With permission, the writing will be compiled into a book entitled, "Who is Utah? An Oral History of Utah" On April 25, 2009, students will invite their 'grand-friends' to attend a special gathering where they will read the oral histories they've written. For more information, contact Jessica Furman 801-649-9469 jessica@realmsofinquiry.org.

Utah Gardens working with Utah Federation for Youth Enviroleaders will work together to grow thousands of pounds of food on a vacant land throughout the valley. The EnviroLeaders are a group of West High School students that teach elementary students about current issues surrounding the environment. They bring their curriculum to four schools over the course of the year, teaching 2nd and 3rd graders. They will join the garden volunteers in the Utah Gardens as they begin preparations of the gardens for the upcoming 2009 year. These gardens are approximately 2/3 to 3/4 acre each and all the food grown in these gardens is donated to the needy, either directly to their homes, or through agencies serving the needy. From Dec. through April, there will be youth preparing, planning and cleaning up the gardens in preparation for spring planting. These youth lead and direct the development of all the gardens in this solely youth-led effort. The youth who hold leadership positions in the gardens will be involved in recruiting other youth as volunteers for the garden during the time Dec - April, as well as on Global Youth Service Day. On April 25, 2009, Global Youth Service Day, there will be a kick-off event for the garden projects where youth will be responsible to oversee volunteers as well as participate in the planting of the gardens. For more information contact Shane Siwik at 801-604-5825 or utahgardens@comcast.net.

Spy Hop Productions is a non-profit youth media arts and education center whose purpose is to empower youth to express their voice through the media arts and with it create positive change in their lives, their community, and the world. This project will create two brief documentary films highlighting youth service involvement and community impact around the state with a call to action for more youth to join the volunteer movement. One of the final products will be featured on the Utah Commission on Volunteers website and one will be used for promotional and educational purposes to encourage more youth volunteer. Projects associated with the Utah Youth Service Marathon will be featured in both films. For more information, contact Shar Lewis at the UCOV 801-641-4375 sharlewis@utah.gov.

St. George:

The St. George Rotary Club and the City of St. George Parks and Recreation Division have partnered to landscape a local skate park. Members of the Youth Volunteer Corps of Washington County and Dixie and Snow Canyon H.S. Interact and Rotaract clubs will design a landscaping plan, work to solicit donations from local landscapers for plants, soil enhancement products, and other necessary materials. For several Saturdays, youth will gather to prepare the ground and plant. On April 25, 2009, all youth volunteers, St, George Rotarians and community members will meet for a reflection and ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly landscaped Park, highlighted by a skateboarding "show of skills". The park will then be officially turned back over to the students by St. George City Mayor Dan McArthur. For more information contact Linda Sappington / Dustin Thompson / Clint Cottam at 435-674-5757 or volcenter@fcaog.state.ut.us.

West Valley City:

student spending time with a woman in a senior center in Mexico

The Harmon Senior Citizen Recreation Center is a gathering place for many of West Valley City's seniors. Our goal is to help the senior citizens become more comfortable with the youth at Granger High School and vice versa. The students at Granger will organize and facilitate numerous projects with the seniors including a Monthly Bingo party, Senior Citizen choir to perform a Christmas Concert for Granger High student body, combined field trip to a movie with the students and seniors, monthly Memory Lane interviews where the students pair up with a senior and scrapbook parts of their life. On April 25, 2009 at the Harmon Home, we will celebrate our new friendships with a Senior Ball, dinner and dance. We are anticipating over 300 seniors and students to participate in the numerous activities throughout the year. For more information, contact Rhondalee Paskins 801-646-5320 rpaskins@graniteschools.org.