The UPS Foundation Awards $250,000 Grant to the National Youth Leadership Council

The National Youth Leadership Council is proud to announce that it has received a $250,000 grant from The UPS Foundation, the charitable arm of the United Parcel Service (UPS).

At a time when many corporations are focusing their grantmaking on initiatives that will result in meaningful, sustained outcomes, this significant investment represents a deep commitment by UPS to educating and engaging young people in the communities where UPS employees live and work.

The funding will be used to work intensively with a single school district, from its district-level leadership through its students, to transform teaching and learning and allow students to connect classroom concepts with projects that address community needs through service-learning. Service-learning is a teaching method that integrates meaningful service with established learning objectives. It emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving, allowing students to tackle real issues like hunger, the environment and literacy.

“The UPS Foundation is committed to funding impactful programs that make a meaningful difference in our communities—so we are proud to support NYLC’s efforts to develop a district-wide model for schools to engage in service-learning,” said Ken Sternad, president of The UPS Foundation.

In a previous pilot program with Guilford County Schools in North Carolina, NYLC found that when wide-spread efforts are coordinated to bring learning out of the classroom and into the community teachers see increased academic achievement as well as student engagement in learning. And, previously low-performing schools can make tremendous gains.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to deepen our partnership with The UPS Foundation,” said Kelita Svoboda Bak, NYLC CEO. “Young people are the primary stakeholders in education. Their voice deserves to be heard through meaningful, relevant learning opportunities for youth to lead and serve. With this grant, NYLC will prepare K-12 teachers to involve students in high-quality service-learning that brings learning to life and develops engaged citizens.

The funding will also support a Day of Service during the National Service-Learning Conference, April 11-14, 2012 in Minneapolis, Minn., which will greatly impact local nonprofits. And, it will provide scholarships to young leaders from low-income communities to attend and participate in this intergenerational conference.

Minneapolis-based UPS employees from the Northern Plains District will serve as conference volunteers, sitting on committees throughout the year, leading on- and off-site service projects during the conference, and, fittingly, providing logistics support.