On Friday, April 24, Heart of Oregon Corps youth and staff will roll up their sleeves for Global Youth Service Day, an afternoon of hands-on community improvement in Redmond’s Dry Canyon.
This annual event is part of Global Youth Service Day (GYSD), now in its 38th year and coordinated by Youth Service America, uniting youth ages 5–25 across more than 100 countries in service projects that benefit their communities.
Locally, Heart of Oregon has been partnering with City of Redmond to complete service projects in celebration of Global Youth Service Day for over a decade. Youth participants will work together on a variety of critical stewardship projects along the Dry Canyon trail between the dog park and the water treatment plant, including:
· Debris Removal: Remove old fencing, posts, and scattered wood debris
· Gravel: Spread, level, and rake gravel around tee boxes
· Painting: Prep surfaces and paint kiosks and benches
· Cleanup: Pick up trash, rake high-traffic areas, and clear brush
They will join youth from across the world whose projects include everything from preparing and providing hygiene kits to other youth; to building pollinator habitats; to serving in food banks; to leading anti-bullying trainings. See projects throughout the United States at the Youth Service America website.
“It’s incredibly powerful to witness Heart of Oregon youth not only building skills, but building momentum in their own lives,” said Laura Handy, Executive Director of Heart of Oregon Corps. “Each project is an opportunity for young people to shape their futures while making a visible, lasting impact on the communities they call home.”
