On Friday, Oct. 15, youth teams will be going out into the Yakima Community to have a great time participating in a variety of service learning projects. 

The youth teams will be participating in service learning projects, an approach that teaches and integrates service to the community with a hands-on approach. Students address community needs while learning civic responsibility and developing meaningful leadership and workplace skills. Service learning can encourage youth to become active participants in their own communities. Plus, it’s a great way for teams to interact and build networks with other Washington youth.

Youth and Team Adult Advisors are advised to wear comfortable clothing and outdoor, closed-toe shoes for all project sites. Wear clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty, as you could be working outside and/or with materials that will stain your clothes!

Youth teams will sign up for service projects on-site as part of registration. Please come prepared with your first and second choice as projects will fill up quickly.  The sign-up will take place on a first come, first serve basis.  Thank you.

Service Learning Projects

Barge Lincoln Elementary
This site has a little bit of everything. You’ll love participating at this site; there will be painting, planting,
and maybe even recess with the elementary students. This is your opportunity to show off your artistic or
landscaping skills. Whatever you choose to do at the site, it promises to be a fun and rewarding experience!

Madison House Youth Community Center
The “Madison House” Youth Community Center is a safe place where Yakima’s inner-city youth can drop in and take a break from any issues they may face on a day to day basis. In addition, the Center also runs a clothing bank for the entire community. This service site offers an opportunity to build organizational skills and understand the inner-workings of Madison House’s unique set up. Participation at this service site will be a rewarding and enjoyable experience.

Parks and Recreation - City of Yakima
Come be a part of the revitalizing a park project! Not only will you be touring a beautiful Yakima park, you
will have the opportunity to improve the park for all the young children that play there each day.

Northwest Harvest Food Bank
Is your team organized and motivated? If so, this may be the spot for your team! Get a sneak peak at what it takes to run a food bank, and see how much you are helping local families receive nutritious food. Monthly deliveries are made to the Northwest Harvest Food Bank warehouse with products from all over Washington. Teams that choose this site will help serve the local and regional customers by cataloging all the products the food bank has received.

The Sunrise Outreach Center
The Sunrise Outreach Center is a Christian humanitarian non-profit organization committed to applying best
practice solutions for hunger, homelessness and apathy through community mobilization, neighborhood
involvement and networked information exchange. The Center serves roughly 1200 weekly food allotments
per month and the Clothing Bank is one of the largest in town. At this service site, students will have the
opportunity to learn and help organize the Pantry and Clothing Bank that provide services and donations to
many people at no cost.

Union Gospel Mission Homeless Shelter
Come help make a difference and give to an agency that is the refuge for many youth and families. This downtown Yakima shelter provides hot meals and a safe place for its community members. For youth, families, and individuals in recovery, the Mission’s short- and long-term programs give hope and a bridge to self-sufficiency. At this site you’ll get a chance to help the agency revamp their location. Your time here will be refreshing, energizing, and you’ll enjoy networking with new friends.

Please contact Ivon Urquilla at ivon.urquilla@dshs.wa.gov if your organization would like to be a service project site.