Youth Service Programs

I want to welcome you to Volunteer Houston County's Youth Service Programs. Our mission is to create and increase volunteer opportunities to enrich America's youth, address community needs and develop a lifetime commitment to service.

Our goals are to:

serve the needs of the community and its residents;
offer young people an opportunity to engage in service projects that are challenging, rewarding and educational;
promote among young people and residents a greater understanding and appreciation for the diversity of their community; and
promote a lifetime ethic of service among young people.

Our Youth Service Programs strive to promote:

Personal Development (i.e. self image, self confidence, feelings of worthwhileness)
Social and Interpersonal Development (i.e. social comfort, groupwork skills, social sensitivity, intergenerational connectedness)
Values Development (i.e. team responsibility, social responsibility, civic responsibility)
Career Development (i.e. career exploration, job-related skills)

This past summer over 400 teens were in service programs throughout the communities in our county. They volunteered as teacher assistants, junior pet therapists, animal shelter assistants, activity assistants in our community's assisted living/nursing centers, pre-school activity assistants, substance and gang prevention program assistant counselors, tutors, and service mentors. Houston County teens volunteered their time and talents in many of our community's short-term and one-day projects such as Rebuilding Together, Kids Yule Love, Holiday Fare, Youth Service Fair, Operation Back to School, Join Hands Day, Make a Difference Day, Easter in the Park, and Concessions benefiting youth service programming. This past year our teens impacted our county's communities productively and enthusiastically with over 18,000 hours of service.

Volunteer Houston County is the home of YAAC (Youth Action Advisory Council). YAAC is a youth leadership council representing all of our county's high schools. The council is very active in our community planning and developing service programs for youth and working with community agencies to introduce and develop youth service oriented programs. As a group the council addresses issues affecting teens in our community and serves on other community boards and advisory groups to generate solutions to problems our community is facing.

Again, welcome to our Youth Service Programs for middle and high school students. I look forward to meeting you and would love the opportunity to connect you to our-yours and my-community through volunteer service. Browse our website and if I can be of further service to you, please do not hesitate to call me. I am committed to youth service and you.

YOUTH SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES NOW AVAILABLE!!!

View some pictures from our youth programs!

Youth Program Coordinator
Cassie Alford