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President’s
Volunteer
Service Award
Recognition by City Council of Palo Alto
Monday, April 22, 2024
Presented by:
Mora Oommen, Executive Director and
Emma Cao, PVSA Recipient and
Gunn High School Student
● Founded in 1990
● Grateful for support from the City of Palo Alto
● Programs in San Mateo and Santa Clara County
● Support service learning in over 65 Bay Area schools
● Partner with over 250 local community organizations
● Join us for Summer of Service
○ High School Students
○ Free
3 Why should youth
apply for the
PVSA?
● T o honor and recognize dedication to community service! ● Earning a PVSA shows future schools and employers that serving others and your community is one of your core
values, as well as proves you will honor commitments and follow through as promised.
● Earning a PVSA encourages your friends and community
members to also serve.
● Read more about the PVSA on the YCS website:
https://youthcommunityservice.org/presidents-volunteer-s ervice-award/
Begin your PVSA
Journey!
★ Service must be completed
within any 12-month
period, such as July 1
through June 30
★ Anyone age 5+ can apply
Awards are based on the student’s age and the number of service hours completes, according to these specifications from the Point of Light Foundation:
President's Volunteer Service Award (PVSA)
Certified by Youth Community Service (YCS)
In academic year 2023-34
Youth living in Palo Alto or enrolled at PAUSD
The PVSA is a National Award program that honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities and inspires those around them to take action. ● 75 students in middle and high school are recognized by President Biden ● Dedicated over 11,700 hours of service
● 152 community organizations such as DreamCatchers, VA Medical Center Palo Alto, Palo Alto Humane Society, Magical Bridge and many more. *between July 1, 2023-Feb 15, 2024
Let’s Celebrate our Youth!
Lucas Ji - PVSA Teen Gold
Getting the PVSA award put me through a lot of
new experiences. I worked in food banks, worked
backstage, taught others english, and even led my
own project. Learning these new skills while
impacting others for the better is truly something
special.
JLS Middle School (PAUSD)
Palo Alto, CA
Class of 2028
Messengers of Peace - BSA
YCS Club
Hannah Vu
PVSA Gold Level
GISSV Summer Camp Volunteer
Each kid had different needs so I learned
how to be flexible and patient throughout
my time at the camp. I had a blast helping
out the teachers and even participating in
some of the activities the kids were doing.
Palo Alto, CA
Gunn High School / PAUSD
Class of 2026
Logo of non profit
(optional)
Stephen
PVSA Silver Level
Academic Center / SAT Tutor
The many peers I taught come from
diverse backgrounds. Their resilience in the
face of adversity inspires me to work
harder. I feel honor and pride helping them
achieve their goals and will continue to
serve my community with my strengths.
Palo Alto, CA
Gunn High School / PAUSD
Class of 2025
Tingrun (Rayla) C.
PVSA Teen Gold Level
Palo Alto VA Transport Department Volunteer
Palo Alto, CA
Henry M. Gunn High School/PAUSD
Class of 2026
It has been an honor to serve those
who have served the country at the
Palo Alto VA and I look forward to
helping out more veterans and
working with others in the future!
Zander Rosenzweig
PVSA Gold Level
Camp Edmo Leader In TrainingExperienced YCS Volunteer
Working so closely with kids, helped me become
more emotionally and physically present as well
as grow as a communicator and leader.
Volunteering with a variety of other
organizations gave me a broad perspective on
the needs of our community.
Palo Alto, California
Gunn / PAUSD
Class of 2025
photo
Rose
Youth Connect
Young Adult Bronze + Public Health +
National Day of Service + Hear the Queer
Connecting with the larger bay area community
through events and volunteering has enabled me to
learn so much about others and in the process helped
me find my voice. Now I understand the value of
community engagement and taking direct action. Palo Alto Notre Dame San Jose
Class of 2025
photo
Krish
PVSA Teen Gold Level
Jewish Community Center Counselor in Training team member It was my privileged responsibility to ensure
safety, lead team building, and facilitate
fun and engaging programing for
community kids. I learnt to manage tricky
situations with good communication.
Palo Alto, CA
Gunn High School / PAUSD
Class of 2027
photo
Emma
PVSA Silver Level
YCS Summer of Service:
NDS Event Planning
Track
Walter Hays Summer School:
Teacher-in-Training
Palo Alto,
CA
Gunn High
School /
PAUSD
Class of
2024
www .youthcommunityservice.org