Emcee: Anthony Sparks
Emcee for the 2024 Youth In Service Awards was Anthony Sparks, a Birmingham based speaker, content creator, and development coach with a heart for youth and passion for service to his community. His passion and wit shined through on the day of the awards and he was truly a gift to the presentation! |
Education Partner of the Year:
Wesley Lybrand Mr. Lybrand (at left), history teacher at Ramsay High School, has been an incredible partner of YouthServe as the lead teacher for the Ramsay Changemakers Council. He has been the champion for this group since before the challenging days of the 2020 pandemic. Because Mr. Lybrand has freely and faithfully given his support, the Ramsay Changemakers are stronger than ever and able to do the incredible work they have done in the community this year. |
Community Partner of the Year:
Eva Robertson Eva Robertson (third from the left) was Director of the Protective Life Foundation until her recent retirement. Her enthusiastic support of the Youth In Service Awards, when the idea was introduced in 2021, inspired Protective to participate as the lead sponsor. Eva's input and guidance also helped make the event such a success, and encouraged Protective to continue supporting the Awards. She is a shining example of the impact that philanthropy can make on a community. |
Creative Service Award: Pillows for Garrett's Place, Lucy Helland
Seventh grader, Lucy Helland (Bumpus Middle), had a very personal experience interacting with foster families. This inspired her to begin collecting pillows for children in the foster care system. She partnered with local organization, Garrett's Place, and has collected over 1,000 pillows in the past three years. Click here for Pillows For Garrett's Place video presentation. |
Advocacy & Awareness Award: Panel on Racial Barriers to College Admissions, Youth Action Council Small Group
From left, Carlise Robinson (Shades Valley High), Eden Moody (Altamont), Zamir McNeal (Huffman), Julia Butrus (Indian Springs), Melody Wood (standing in for Kaila Wood), Chelsea Williams (Hoover High) These Youth Action Council students partnered with community leaders, college admissions experts, and current college students to host a panel, attended by over 60 people, covering racial barriers in the college admissions process. Click here for Panel on Racial Barriers video presentation. |
Overall Impact Award: To the Fullest Foundation, Sara Hancock & Radhika Pant
From left, Sara Hancock (Hoover High), Radhika Pant (ASFA) After the loss of her beloved mother to breast cancer, Sara recruited her friend Radhika to help her start To the Fullest Foundation, a student-run breast cancer awareness organization. Since their start in 2022, To the Fullest has participated in 50+ events, raised thousands of dollars in funding, and donated over 100 baskets of items to patients undergoing cancer treatment. Click here for To the Fullest Foundation video presentation. |
Overall Impact Award: Fall Needs Drive, Ramsay High School Changemakers
From left, Elise Robinson, Amiya Randall, Jayla Ross, Kennedy King (all Ramsay High students) YouthServe's Ramsay Changemakers Council decided to host a clothing donation drive in order to serve their neighbors experiencing homelessness. In total, these students collected over 500 clothing items and were able to serve over 100 community members through their clothing distribution event at Linn Park. Click here for Fall Needs Drive video presentation. |
Overall Impact Award: Feed the Need, Bryanna Belser
At a very young age, Bryanna Belser (Sylacauga High) was inspired to collect "Blessing Bags" for people in her community experiencing homelessness. This initiative led her to start Feed the Need, a nonprofit that has impacted 2,100 individuals through 26,000 donated items, $5,000 in monetary contributions, and the distribution of 300 pounds of food. Click here for Feed the Need video presentation. |
Community Vote Award: To the Fullest Foundation From left, Karis Moore, Radhika Pant, Sara Hancock, Brady Stidham, Ayla Steed This year, YouthServe introduced a new Community Vote Award! We invited everyone to learn about the winning projects and vote for their favorite. It was a close race, but after nearly 1,000 votes were submitted, To the Fullest Foundation was chosen as the winner! Here, leaders Radhika & Sara are photographed along with a few To the Fullest Foundation volunteers. |
|
Careers
follow Us |