Join Youth Service America in mobilizing young people to improve their communities during the Semester of Service that kicks off on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 19, 2009. Semester of Service provides the framework and tools for children and youth, aged 5 to 25, to prepare a plan, take action to implement their solution, reflect on their progress and next steps and celebrate their success.

David Smith, Executive Director of the National Conference on Citizenship, argues that a worsening economic crisis provides an opportunity to embrace national service as a road to economic prosperity for vulnerable young workers.

On February 6, 2009, experts will present the latest research on financial aid practices that support student enrollment and persistence, as well as recommendations for reforming federal student aid.

Where are the grants going? Check your state and check by category with this interactive Foundation Center site that tracks grants, loans and other help to local charities during the economic downturn.

The National League of Cities is hosting a free hour-long call that will highlight city efforts to use geographic information system (GIS) technology and other tools to map available youth programs and resources and analyze gaps in city services. The data gathered from these local mapping efforts can be critical to ensuring that young people have are close to the programs and services they need most.

Mayors across the country are taking part in an initiative to set at least one locally relevant, measurable goal in each of the following areas to ensure that every child has:MAYORS

* Opportunities to learn and grow;
* A safe neighborhood to call home;
* A healthy lifestyle and environment; and
* A financially fit family in which to thrive.

The Challenge will highlight the importance of municipal leadership and innovation and help mayors find their collective voice on these issues. As of this week, 84 mayors have signed on to join the challenge. If your city isn't involved, why not nudge your mayor?

S.T.E.P. Up DC, a new network led by Critical Exposure and the DC Alliance of Youth Advocates, involves organizations, the community and youth themselves in improving graduation rates. It gives people a chance to express their views about why students drop out of school and identify policy solutions that they believe will help every student graduate prepared for college or a good job.

New Youth Connections, a youth-written publication from Youth Communications, has a special issue of true stories by teens about the election -- titles include "Teen Pregnancy: An Election Issue?" "Electoral College Made Easy" and "Awakening the Youth Vote," just to name a few!

When the What Kids Can Do youth-led news bureau, Y-Press, covered the recent Presidential conventions, half the team camped out at the DNC and the other half at the RNC. Each team produced slideshows and audio commentaries that capture what makes the Democrats blue and the Republicans red (and why we need to find common ground between the two).

In September 2008, the Coalition for Community Schools launched an action plan with specific strategies to underscore the need for community-school partnerships in ensuring that all children are ready to learn and succeed. The plan is endorsed by numerous national and local education, youth development, community engagement, health and social
services organizations.