Currently Recruiting New Members for the Hanover Youth Service Council 2022-23!
 

The Hanover Youth Service Council, HYSC, is currently seeking members for their 2022-2023 membership term. The Hanover Youth Service Council is a youth-led service organization that strives to make a difference in the greater Hanover community. The council is sponsored by Hanover County’s Department of Community Resources. The goal of the program is to bring together students from throughout Hanover County who demonstrate a strong commitment to the values of leadership and community service. 

Rising 8th grade through 11th grade students who live in Hanover and/or attend a Hanover school are eligible. We are looking for at least two (2) youth representatives from each middle and high school. In addition, we would like to see community representatives apply from private and home school programs. Our goal is to engage youth from the entire county with diverse experiences and backgrounds. 

Serving on the Hanover Youth Service Council is a time commitment, and members must be able to balance their current obligations with the responsibilities that come with being a council member. Members are expected to attend monthly meetings and participate in at least 50 hours of community service each year. Meetings are scheduled the first Monday of each month from 7-8:30 p.m. Projects will vary each month. Members are highly encouraged to develop and lead their own service projects. Prior volunteer or leadership experience is not a requirement for membership.  

Students interested in applying for the HYSC should review the current Hanover County HYSC Bylaws.
 

For additional questions or concerns, please contact us via email at
[email protected] or call 804-365-4180. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, Oct. 7. Here is the application.

HYSC Service Projects

The Hanover Youth Service Council has become very innovative in planning and leading their own service projects. In recent years, youth members collected items for the Tools 4 Teachers program and created goodie bags to surprise youth in our community.

This summer, HYSC collected school supplies for its 24th Annual School Supply Drive so that Hanover students could begin school with the supplies they need to succeed. In August, they delivered more than 4,500 items to Hanover County Public Schools. Additional supplies collected were delivered to non-profit agencies that serve children in need. 

Last May, the HYSC created ribbons to show support for Ukraine that were distributed to various sites in the county, including libraries and faith-based communities. They also made cards for veterans for VFW’s Honor Flight Mission Program. The mission of Honor Flight is to transport America’s veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to honoring those who have served and sacrificed for our country.

For the 2022 MLK Day of Service Project, HYSC showed their appreciation for the hard working Hanover County Public School staff members by sending hand-written notes to cafeteria and custodial employees.

In 2021, youth leaders recognized Hanover County Fire and EMS Departments by delivering breakfast baskets to each station for the 9/11 Day of Service project. 

2023 Hanover Global Youth Service Day Projects

The Hanover Global Youth Service Day will be held the week of April 24-May 1. The HYSC is looking for youth organizations and non-profits who need help with planning impactful civic engagement projects. Please call 804-365-4300 or email [email protected] for service project resources or to talk about making community connections. We can help provide guidance and project materials to support youth volunteers.

Randolph Macon College 

The Big Event on Nov. 6, 2022

The Big Event at Randolph-Macon College strives to uphold the ideals of unity and service.  This one-day event is intended to serve ALL residents in the Ashland community regardless of socioeconomic need. The Big Event is the way for the students to express their gratitude to the entire community for supporting R-MC.  

Macon a Difference Day on April 23, 2023.

This annual event held in conjunction with the celebration of Earth Day and Youth Service Day. Students, staff and faculty volunteer with the HYSC to clean up Mechumps Creek. R-MC students also will have the opportunity to help Ashland residents with job requests.

Other Youth Service Opportunities

There are many other opportunities for all youth in Hanover County to volunteer and benefit their community. Here are some examples:

Election Page Program

High school students may apply to serve as an election page. Election pages help out at polling places. Among other duties, they assist voters who are elderly or have a disability. Contact your high school government teacher for more information or call the Voter Registration and Elections Office.

Cadet Unit  606

Cadet Unit 606 is open to Hanover County youth ages 14-20 years of age. Members receive law enforcement training, citizenship and character education while gaining experience in leadership roles. The unit routinely provides community service by assisting the deputies with crime prevention activities, fingerprinting of children and traffic control at community events.

Hanover 4-H Clubs

Hanover 4-H provides experiences in a variety of interest areas, from handling livestock to showing horses, and from community service to 4-H camp, there are endless opportunities to become involved with 4-H and meet other youth.

Parks & Recreation Volunteer Programs

The Leader-in-Training, LIT, program brings rising 9th-12th graders into the summer youth programs as leaders, counselors and mentors. The application and selection process takes place December-March each year for the upcoming summer. Year-round opportunities also may be available for those interested in expanding their community service.
 

With events ranging from therapeutic recreation socials to Taylor's family fun, there is always a Parks and Rec event to help with. There are opportunities throughout the year where you can help prepare or come work events and programs. Many of these and other volunteer opportunities are on the HandsOn Greater Richmond  website.