Service Learning

OregonASK has been partnering with the National Youth Leadership Council since 2016, receiving several small grants to increase service learning opportunities within expanded learning programs in Oregon. Over the course of this partnership, OregonASK has developed curriculum, facilitated pilots, offered training, engaged learning cohorts, and supported increased connections between community and industry partners.

Service to Careers in Oregon

This youth voice led curriculum is meant for middle school aged youth, and has been developed by OregonASK as a ten week/session curriculum for out-of-school time programs to create a Service to Careers Club. We have also added a focus on Health Pathways – read more on our Health Service to Careers Project Profile.

Youth who participate in these service learning focused projects will have the opportunity to develop workforce skills in a number of ways. This youth voice based project creates an organic connection to health careers while fostering leadership and communication experience.

Youth brainstorm and implement projects that benefit their community (whether that be a class, school, neighborhood, or city) and have an opportunity to work towards a solution based on feedback from workforce and community partners. Workforce and other career experienced partners consult on projects to provide insight on local industry or government outreach and impacts that help inform youth action. This project design was created to facilitate the development of key employability skills such as:

Adaptability
Empathy
Analysis
Entrepreneurial Mindset
Collaboration
Resilience
Communication
Self-Awareness
Digital Fluency
Social Diversity

Resources from National Youth Leadership Council

Find out more about National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC) and the many resources available for programs HERE including activity guides for upper elementary, middle and high school youth.

OregonASK’s partnership with NYLC has also allowed us to offer training and workshops directly to programs, highlighting the scope of service learning and the opportunities for authentically engaging youth voice in meaningful avenues for action.