If you are a young person who is passionate about service, giving back to their community, and prioritizes volunteering, you’re in luck! At Class 101 of the Treasure Coast, we know how hard our students have worked to give back to their communities. While this work is beyond important for the common good and one’s personal growth, it is also nice to be recognized for the time and effort that has gone into one’s volunteering. There are several volunteering awards offered across the country for individuals dedicated to service. Here are a few!

President’s Volunteer Service Award 

The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes individuals whose service benefits their community. It is awarded to a young person (aged 14-25) who has completed a certain amount of volunteer hours in a year.  This award is temporarily paused, but keep log of your hours for future submission!

Levels: Bronze (100 hours), Silver (175 hours), and Gold (250 hours)

Benefits: Participants receive a certificate, an official letter from the President, and a pin.

The Congressional Award

The Congressional Award is granted to young Americans who have achieved personal goals regarding volunteering, character development, and fitness. This is not for past accomplishments, but rather the recipient is awarded for setting goals, creating an action plan, and meeting the challenge.The

More Volunteering Opportunities

U.S. Senate Youth Program:

Overview- A week-long experience and scholarship initiative sponsored by the U.S. Senate for high school juniors and seniors interested in public service careers. Participants, selected through a competitive, merit-based process, gain an in-depth understanding of the federal government by meeting with top officials, including senators and Supreme Court justices, during Washington Week.

Benefits- Each of the 104 student delegates receives a $10,000 scholarship funded by the Hearst Foundations, which covers all program expenses, encouraging continued studies in government and history.

Eligibility- Must be rising high school juniors and seniors, must be actively serving in leadership positions, and must be representative of a constituency and service to others. For more information: LINK

Prudential Spirit of Community Awards – Institute of Competition Sciences:

Overview- The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is the United States’ largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service.

Created in 1995 by Prudential and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the program honors middle level and high school students for outstanding service to others at the local, state and national level.

Benefits- National Honorees receive $5,000, a medallion, and a trip to Washington, D.C., while State Honorees receive $1,000 and a paid trip to the national recognition event. For more information: LINK

Volunteering Awards that offer grants for related projects:

• Grants | Youth Service America
  Overview- Youth Grants for Youth Service Month & Global Youth Service Day projects that provide opportunities for youth volunteers to create meaningful connections with their peers, caring adults, and community partners while developing social awareness and relationship skills.
  Eligibility- must be a youth-led project, taking place in April, must focus on the youth’s immediate community.
  Benefits- Offers funding for projects, recognition, and opportunities to expand the impact of youth-led community service initiatives. LINK
  
  
  

• Do Something Award
  Overview: Part of the Do Something organization, these awards celebrate young people doing social good. Categories include areas like health, environment, and education.
  Benefits: Winners receive grants for their cause, media exposure, and a trip to New York City for the awards ceremony. LINK
  

• NYLF Medicine & Health Care High School Student Summer Program | Envision
  Overview:  Offers various summer programs focused on career fields like medicine, engineering, and law, where students engage in hands-on activities, leadership training, and community service.
  Benefits: Specifics vary per program, but generally: provides educational experiences, networking opportunities, and exposure to potential career paths. LINK
  

You can find more Volunteering Awards through these links:

Service Awards For Students Making An Impact

InnerView – National Community Service Awards

Outstanding School Volunteer Award