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Supported by a grant from the Lucile Packard Foundations for Children's Health, Youth Community Service developed a service-learning curriculum based on our East Palo Alto Program for middle school students (grades 6-8). As a leader in youth programming in EPA since 1990, YCS has integrated into the curriculum both academic and service activities. EPA students learn about important issues facing their community and engage in service to their community. A goal of our EPA  program is to foster the development of youth civic leaders.

The structure of the curriculum was developed through the integration of (a) YCS best practices in EPA after-school programming, (b) the Guiding Principles for Quality After-School Program Serving Preteens developed by the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health, and (c) the K-12 Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice developed by the National Youth Leadership Council and RMC Research Corporation.

The curriculum is designed for use in the classroom, and for after-school clubs that meet one to three times per week throughout the academic year.  The curriculum is organized by 9 monthly thematic units (see below). Each unit contains:
• eight learning activities (many of which have academic components that are linked to the California Academic Content Standards)
• two community service projects
• one unit reflection activity

Many unit activities also have suggestions for parent participation either through family-focused activities or parent participation in the service projects.

Curriculum Monthly Themes:

September: Service to Others/Celebrating Community
October: Healthy Living
November: Acceptance of All People
December: Hunger & Homelessness
January: Non-Violence
February: The Arts
March: Civic Engagement
April: Respect for Life & Environment
May: Science & Technology

For a ‘sneak preview' of the content for one of the units - Acceptance of All People - click on the link below:

YCS Curriculum - Acceptance of All People 

For more information about the YCS After-School Curriculum Project, email Julia Williams at julia@youthcommunityservice.org