The goals of GYSD are to mobilize youth to identify and address the needs of their communities through service; support youth on a life-long path of service and civic engagement; and educate the public, media, and policymakers about the year-round contributions of young people as community leaders.

Over the past 19 years, Global Youth Service Day has brought together more than 37 million people in thousands of communities worldwide.  Projects are organized by youth, along with communities, schools, and local organizations. Projects cover a broad range of issues including literacy, the environment, healthcare, nutrition, and poverty.

Here are the Top 10 Things you can do to prepare for Global Youth Service Day:

1. Begin  planning a Global Youth Service Day Project .

2.  Register your project  on the Global Youth Service Day Map.

3.  Find a Global Youth Service Day project in your area .

4.  Download planning resources , including the Global Youth Service Day Project Planning Toolkit, Global Youth Service Day Service-Learning Curriculum Guide, and Semester of Service Strategy Guide.

5.  Request free Global Youth Service Day Posters and Semester of Service Strategy guides  to be shipped to you.

6.  Find grants and other funding opportunities .

7. Connect to Global Youth Service Day on the web by visiting  Facebook ,  YouTube , or  Twitter .

8. Make plans to let media know about your project -  find local media contacts here .

9. Make plans to invite public officials to participate -  find your elected officials by using the Youth Policy Action Center tool .

10. Find out more about Global Youth Service Day by visiting www.ysa.org/GYSD .