On Tuesday, January 20, Serve Virginia hosted a virtual Statewide Forum on Youth Service, with support from Youth Service America. Over 20 representatives from across the Commonwealth engaged in invigorating conversation, all with one goal in mind - develop strategies to encourage greater youth involvement in our communities.

Attendees learned about how local organizations and state agencies are already working to recognize and support youth service. We set goals for the future of youth service and identified strategies and resources we believe would be most effective in overcoming the barriers and expanding opportunities for young people to make a difference.

There were a few special guests in attendance. Shreyaa and Esha Venkat, founders of Nest4Us, shared their experience in founding a successful nonprofit that mobilizes people of all ages to volunteer together. Dr. Angela Byrd-Wright, with the Virginia Department of Education, spoke about the different policies, programs and resources available through the VDOE to support and recognize schools, teachers and students engaged in community service. Blanca Ramirez, Executive Director for Loudoun Youth, Inc., spoke about the importance of service experiences for developing young people into healthy and successful adults.

We thank everyone for sharing their ideas and experiences, and for helping Youth Service America, Serve Virginia, and volunteer partners across Virginia in working to engage young people and creating space for them to serve.