YCS
Service Awards

YCS Peer Leadership Award

  • The YCS Peer Leadership Award honors Peer Leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to the Peer Leadership Program and making a meaningful difference in their community. Award recipients have demonstrated excellent leadership skills and service by directing and supporting Peer Leadership service projects while representing YCS and the Peer Leadership program positively. 

    As a Program, Peer Leadership offers students the opportunity to design and lead service projects that center around three pillars of YCS: Service Learning, Social Emotional Learning, and Leadership Development. The youth who are awarded the YCS Peer Leadership Award have gone above and beyond to embody these pillars and build meaningful community connections through their work.

    Limited amounts of YCS Peer Leadership Awards will be given each year. Award recipients may receive up to a $350 prize with their award, and can request a letter of recommendation from the Program Coordinator. 

    *There is a max of $495 dollars that an individual may receive from awards and scholarships in a 12-month time-frame. Scholarship funds and Award winnings will be adjusted to accommodate this max.

    • Participated in Peer Leadership for at least 4 months during the school year

    • Completed a minimum of 50 service hours with any YCS-sponsored programming (Peer Leadership, Together, NDS, etc.). 

    • Demonstrated leadership in Peer Leadership via their role and actions throughout a service project. 

    • Led conversations with the community about leadership, service, or a social justice topic. 

    • Submit a letter of interest (max 3 pages) to your primary YCS contact detailing their participation in Peer Leadership and the impact Peer Leadership has had on them. 

    April 30th, Deadline to submit a letter of interest 

    May 31st, Notification of Award Recipients 

YCS Community Leadership Award

  • The YCS Community Leadership Award honors those who have positively represented YCS while serving their communities. Award recipients have volunteered at YCS service projects and programs within 12 months. YCS is grateful for the time and energy that award recipients have given to both YCS and the communities that YCS serves and recognizes the impact and importance of these community leaders. 

    Limited amounts of YCS Community Leadership Awards will be given each year. Youth award recipients may receive up to a $175 prize with their award, as well as a personalized letter of recommendation emphasizing the importance of this award to the community from the Program Coordinator.

    *There is a max of $495 dollars that an individual may receive from awards and scholarships in a 12-month time frame. Scholarship funds and Award winnings will be adjusted to accommodate this max.*

    • Completed a minimum of 15 service hours with YCS. 

    • Served at least three YCS service projects, programs, or community events within 12 months. 

    • All ages are eligible. 

    • Embodied YCS mission

    • Youth Award nominees may submit a letter of interest to their primary YCS contact (maximum of 3 pages) detailing their work with YCS and the impact it has had on them. 

    • Adult Award recipients require a nomination from a YCS Staff Member. 

    Youth Community Leadership Awards:

    April 30th Deadline to submit a letter of interest 

    May 31st Notification of Award Recipients 

    Adult Community Leadership Awards:

    Rolling Notifications Recipients will be recognized at our Community Impact Exhibit

President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) Paused by Americorps

YCS was informed on May 27th, 2025, that AmeriCorps, which administers the President’s Volunteer Service Award, has decided to indefinitely pause the Award effective immediately. 

YCS staff are surprised and disappointed by this decision and are working to find solutions that continue to honor and celebrate the service you do in the community. 

We will keep you updated as we find a path forward, but please rest assured that YCS is committed to uplifting the service you do in the community. 

You can find more information about the PVSA pause on their website.

YCS staff will be reaching out soon with next steps for those of you who have pending PVSA applications. 

If you have questions, please feel free to email us.