We’d like to “Share the Advantage” of our latest partnership

Southwestern Advantage, the longest running summer program that allows entrepreneurial college and university students to sell learning system tools, recently partnered with Youth Life Foundation of Tennessee (YLFT) through Southwestern’s “Share The Advantage” outreach program, as both share an aim to help children get ahead, obtain better grades and learn life skills.  After communications directors met for the first time at a local Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) meeting, it became clear that the partnership was a perfect fit.

“Since not everyone can afford or come into contact with the products that the college students at Southwestern Advantage sell, we have been able to donate products all over the world to individuals and organizations —from orphans in Mexico to kids just like the ones served at YLFT.  The college students in our program are a key part to helping children, as they work with organizations in their own hometowns to ‘share the advantages.’…I think YLFT is unique, because it is faith-based and the children it is assisting are those who are in dire need to perform better in school.  Also, having multiple centers means more reach in different areas.” – Trey Campbell, Director of Communications at Southwestern Advantage.

For preschoolers through high school students, Southwestern Advantage’s tools include thousands of interactive learning tools such as videos, practice problems and quizzes, language learning and plenty of reference content.  These resources are able to be accommodate students at various levels of pace, skill and progress.

“We do individualized learning plans …we recognize that every child is a different learner with different skill sets and different passions, so any resource that allows us to individualize that gives them choice within their learning, making it fun and engaging.” – Lindsay Daly, Program Director of Youth Life Foundation of Tennessee.

“We are excited and inspired to have such a partnership with Southwestern Advantage.  This is the type of corporate partnership that will help our city impact the achievement gap.”  – Yolanda Shields, CEO, Youth Life Foundation of Tennessee.

After watching Giraffe on the projector to introduce the program, the eight-foot mascot walked through the door to surprise the students.  Between the singing, clapping and smiles, we know the students were overjoyed to receive these gifts.  Although their first trip was to Youth Life Learning Centers at Hillside, Southwestern Advantage plans to hit other Youth Life locations.  We would like to thank Southwestern Advantage for our recent collaboration, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for our partnership.  Learn more about Share the Advantage.

Visit their Facebook page to see more pictures from Southwestern Advantage’s visit to YLLC-Hillside.

Also, don’t forget to watch their  video to see the reactions of Youth Life students and hear more from Lindsay Daly about what the partnership will mean for Youth Life Learning Centers.

Youth Life hits local college campuses

YLLC student and Lipscomb University student volunteer

Youth Life is hitting college campuses hard this semester with volunteer opportunities and information on our programming.  With a new approach geared toward a specific audience, we hope to accomplish our goal of gaining more volunteers for our after-school programs.  Youth Life is visiting service fairs, starting a monthly college e-blasts, specifically for college students, creating levels of volunteerism depending on students’ schedules, and much more!  So why college students?  Why now?

• According to a Corporation for National and Community Service study called, “College Students Helping America,” tutoring at 26.6% and mentoring at 23.8%, respectively, are the most common volunteer activities among college students.
• There is the highest level of interest in helping others in 25 years, according to a recent national survey of college freshman, sited by boston.com’s article, “College volunteering rises sharply.”

It is hugely important to volunteer and be involved in the Nashville community.  It pulls you out of the campus bubble and gives you a bigger worldview and opportunity to do different things. – a recent college student volunteer

Although many expressed the joy they receive while working with YLLC kids and the importance of adding a volunteer section on their resumé, many stressed the need for more volunteers at our centers.  We have taken the initiative to set up three levels of volunteerism based on your availability this semester.

• Bronze Level – To earn this level, we ask that you bring your church or campus group to our centers only twice one semester.  This level is perfect for those who have limited availability throughout the semester, but would still love to volunteer some of their time.  It is also perfect for your church or campus group to host a “Fun Friday” or be apart of one of our events.
• Silver Level – To earn this level, we ask that you volunteer only one hour per week for one semester.  Between classes and homework, it seems difficult to volunteer each day at our centers.  We understand that.  One hour of your time that could be spent watching television, listening to music, or relaxing can be spent at YLLC.  If you chose to be a silver level volunteer, you could be involved with, but are not limited to “unpack and unwind time,” where helping students relax, playing a game with them or sharing about their day and “homework time.”
• Gold Level – To earn this level, we ask that you volunteer two to three hours per week for one semester.  If you chose to be a gold level volunteer, your tasks could include silver level volunteer activities as well as tasks including but not limited to “Snack and activity time,” “O.P.S. time,” where students are evaluated according to their academic and development needs, and “Clean up and job times,” where students are ready to leave to go home.

So if you’re a local college student looking for ways to give back to this community and meet new friends this semester, contact lindsay@yllc.org for more information and to see how you can make a difference in the lives of at-risk kids.