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Youth Service
Who are we and what do we do? The mission of the Youth Service Committee
is to serve the youth of the metropolitan area of Baltimore, with preference being given to the youth
of Baltimore City. This is achieved principally by awarding funds to or providing personal hands-on
services through the investment of the time and talents of Rotarians to non-profit organizations whose
primary mission is to support youth. The Committee has been active at these pursuits since the end of
World War I. It currently meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month before regular meetings of the Club.
As has been the case for decades, representatives of soliciting organizations are invited to come before
the Committee to discuss and support the specific request being made and to provide background on the
organization if not well-known to Committee members.
During fiscal year 2004-5, our Committee, on behalf of the Club, supported 11 youth organizations
or programs financially. The groups we funded in 2004-5 were:
- Rotary’s Service Above Self scholarships to college for high school seniors
- Boy Scouts of America for summer camperships
- Hampden Family Center to enable middle school aged children to take field trips to “open their eyes”
- National Flag Day for lessons in patriotism
- Camp Greentop for summer camperships for children and young adults with physical disabilities
- Ryla (Rotary District 7620 Leadership Awards to high school students)
- Baltimore Museum of Industry for educational experiences and classes for Baltimore City youth
- Martha’s Place, a half-way house for young women returning to society following drug rehabilitation
- W.E.B. Dubois High School in Baltimore City
- Camp Dudley for summer camperships for Baltimore City fifth-graders
- Young Audiences to enable children to appreciate the value of the arts.
In addition, Committee members have actively participated by devoting their personal time to
helping with these and other Rotary sponsored projects for youth. For instance, it has involved
actually choosing the recipients of some of the awards and grants given under these programs.
Specifically, members visit public schools in Baltimore City to conduct interviews and work on
Rotary sanctioned projects, judge preliminary rounds of speech contests, and review applications for scholarships.
Committee members are strongly committed to the youth of the Baltimore area and derive personal satisfaction from their efforts. |
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