WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The world's children and teens are mobilizing for the 25^th anniversary of Global Youth Service Day (GYSD), April 26 to 28, 2013, when young people in more than 100 countries will participate in volunteer projects and celebration events. www.GYSD.org is now accepting event and project registrations. Registered projects are displayed and searchable online through the GYSD Map.

As the largest service event in the world, GYSD recognizes the contributions that young people make to their communities 365 days a year. Projects are youth-led, and many are designed to raise awareness around tough community issues. Activities range from food drives, healthy-living campaigns and community clean-ups in the United States, to peaceful human rights rallies and large-scale vaccination campaigns in developing countries. At least 2 million young people are expected to participate in GYSD 2013 activities.

Official Global Youth Service Day Partners span six continents and represent a global network of non-governmental organizations committed to positive youth development through service. Many international organizations are able to use Global Youth Service Day to advance their causes, recruit new volunteers and partners, fundraise, and otherwise amplify the impact of their programs.

Internationally, GYSD Partners were selected based on their ability to mobilize multi-national youth coalitions to create and join in GYSD projects. Partners include: Kenya Slum Youths Development Organization; People's Institute for Development and Training; Corporacion Grupo Tayrona; International Young Professionals Foundation; American Councils for International Education and their FLEX program; Young People We Care; Women Empowerment Literacy and Development Organization; National Federation of Youth Organizations in Bangladesh; and Global Citizen Initiative. 

In the United States, GYSD partners include the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, United Way, the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., the Y and Share Our Strength, 150 public schools, and more than 800 other local and national organizations. Projects will take place in all 50 states and in approximately 4,000 individual communities.

Founded in 1988 by YSA (Youth Service America), Global Youth Service Day was created to coalesce, strengthen and raise the visibility of youth service projects already happening in many communities. YSA leads the Global Youth Service Day campaign, issuing calls-to-action, mobilizing young people and youth-focused organizations, and offering free tips and tools to all who wish to participate. In support of Global Youth Service Day and related youth-led service activities, YSA awards more than $1 million in grants annually to youth, schools and organizations.

"For 25 years, Global Youth Service Day has shone a bright light on the unique perspective, compassion and creativity that young people bring to solving real problems in their communities," said Steven A. Culbertson, president and CEO of YSA. "Global Youth Service Day is a moment for young people around the world to find their voice, take action, and start serving not as the leaders of tomorrow, but as the leaders of today."

Media Information
Michelle Pendoley, Director of Communications
YSA (Youth Service America) ∣ Global Youth Service Day
202-650-5064 ∣ mpendoley@ysa.org

Connect www.GYSD.org  Follow @youthservice #GYSD  Like  www.facebook.com/youthserviceamerica    

State Farm ^® is the Presenting Sponsor of Global Youth Service Day in the United States.

Global Youth Service Day is also made possible by the generosity of hundreds of partner organizations and NGOs, as well as these YSA Partners: Disney, Sodexo Foundation, the Corporation for National and Community Service, UnitedHealth, the Starkey Foundation and IBM.

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SOURCE Global Youth Service Day