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For Immediate Release: January 24, 2007
Contact: Greyson Gregory or Lyle Gregory, Co-Directors of Communication at 203-481-0382 or Media@studentvolunteerlink.com
Local Students Awarded a Youth Service America/Youth Venture Grant and GameStop Grant from DoSomething to launch a non-profit website connecting students to Community Volunteer Opportunities.
(Branford, Connecticut) Launching a non-profit organization to help students locate meaningful volunteer opportunities was the task three local students successfully accomplished with the help of grants from national youth organizations. The Student Volunteer LINK(SVL) connects middle and high school student volunteers, community organizations and schools through a simple Internet portal. SVL is a resource that is a student-created, student-led organization in Connecticut that links community organizations with youth volunteers.
Created by Junior, Greyson Gregory and enlisting the help of his brothers, a high school freshman, Lyle, and a sixth grade student, Kade, Student Volunteer LINK includes a Volunteer Opportunities Guide where students can go to search for service opportunities that interest them and community organizations and schools can submit and post their information reaching hundreds of students.
"We, the founders of the Student Volunteer LINK (SVL), like many students, understand that it is important to be involved with meaningful volunteer opportunities." says Greyson Gregory, a founder. "We recognize that students who take initiative and are engaged with their communities realize they can impact and be an asset while serving community needs. Also, with community service required for high school graduation and college’s admissions, it is necessary for students to find meaningful volunteer positions. We started plans for SVL by creating a student/community survey that determined the need for information regarding youth volunteerism in our area. We, then, wrote a business plan and researched a simple website structure to be accessed by students and the community and began developing the Student Volunteer LINK website. "
Over 100 local community organizations have signed up to use SVL services and have agreed to post their volunteer opportunities. Connecticut shoreline High Schools are being contacted to use the site potentially benefiting students and teachers. Branford High School is the first high school to commit to providing community service and service learning information on SVL for it's students. School Clubs can also post their community service events to gain community and student support. As the website improves it's technology, more schools and organizations will join and participate.
Student Volunteer LINK is the recent award winner of two grants from national youth organizations for costs associated with start-up. SVL recently submitted a grant proposal for a GameStop Youth Grant from Do Something and was chosen as one of 30 winners out of hundreds of applications from North America. ”Do Something is a not-for-profit organization that gives young people the tools, motivation and inspiration to change our world.“ The $500 GameStop Youth Grant is for start-up funds associated with launching Student Volunteer LINK website. Winners of these grants are posted on their website (www.dosomething.org) and promoted in the media. Student Volunteer LINK website venture was also reviewed by Youth Service America/Youth Venture, (www.ysa.org) selection committee and awarded a $1000, 2006 Youth Venture grant. ”YSA, Youth Venture Partnership Program creates unique opportunities for young people to engage in service and develop as young entrepreneurs“. Ventures must also be youth-led and designed to be a lasting asset to the community.
The three students share all administrative responsibilities, with Greyson managing the website and Lyle and Kade overseeing communications, public relations, and marketing. By donating all of their time and securing support from local donors, and with continued community support, the founders would like to ensure that SVL will always be free of charge for every student, school, and community organization.
The founders are looking to create a sustainable venture, working hard to create a successful resource to link students to the community. They have recruited student managers to help oversee research and fundraising and are partnering with school officials and community leaders to recruit additional Student Managers by an application process. Because the website is accessible to the public, hundreds of students, organizations and schools across Connecticut can potentially network with one another creating a future generation of philanthropists. SVL's vision is to remain 100% student led and oriented.
For more information, visit www.studentvolunteerlink.com or contact the founder, Greyson Gregory at Media@studentvolunteerlink.com
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