There is a revolutionary grant available that invites children to propose a project that will make a difference in their community.
Imagine that. Children writing grants. Planning, reading, collaborating, communicating and implementing a service project that could change the world.
Youth Service America (YSA) and The Walt Disney Company invite children to apply for The Disney Summer of Service Grant by September 30, 2016.
Here’s the Scoop
- Apply online by September 30, 2016
- The applicant must be sponsored by a school or an organization
- Children between the ages of 5 and 18 can apply
- Children under 13 require an adult to submit the grant application
- The $500 award will go to the school or the organization to fund the project
- YSA’s Mission: “To help all young people find their voice, take action, and make an impact on vital community issues.”
- Disney’s Friends for Change Mission: “Our mission is to provide you with the information, tools, encouragement and inspiration to become stewards of change.”
Picture Books About Making a Difference
Follow the Moon Home by Philippe Cousteau and Deborah Hopkinson; illus. by Meilo So
This beautifully illustrated mentor text clearly demonstrates how to make a positive impact in a community. A young girl realizes that sea turtle hatchlings need help, and she rallies the community to save the turtles. It is the perfect book to inspire children to help solve problems in the world.
Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood by F. Isabel Campoy and Teresa Howell; illus. by Rafael Lopez
A young girl inspires neighbors to brighten their drab community by painting awe-inspiring murals on buildings. “Maybe Something Beautiful” is based on a true story. Rafael Lopez, the illustrator of the book, and Candice Lopez persuaded their community to create art together. The Urban Art Trail in East Village, California, is the result of their collaboration. Pictures of the community project are included in the book.
Marvelous Cornelius: Hurricane Katrina and the Spirit of New Orleans by Phil Bildner; illus. by John Parra
Meet Marvelous Cornelius. He is a trash collector in New Orleans. He dances and sings as he heaves trash into garbage trucks. His work ethic motivates the citizens of New Orleans to rally together and clean the city in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Do you have any resources to share about difference makers? Please add them in the comment box.
Mention: Thank you Edutopia for “The Big List of Educational Grants and Resources” post where I discovered this grant.
Works Cited:
“About | Friends for Change | Disney – Disney.com.” 2012. 4 Aug. 2016 <http://disney.go.com/projectgreen/aboutffc.html>
“YSA (Youth Service America).” 2004. 4 Aug. 2016 <http://ysa.org/>

Author: Maureen Schlosser
Author: Lessons Inspired by Picture Books for Primary Grades and Social and Emotional Learning for Picture Book Readers published by ALA Editions
Blogger: https://LibraryLessonsWithBooks.com
Skillshare Teacher: https://skl.sh/3a852D5
Categories: Blog Topics, Collection Development, Student Engagement/ Teaching Models
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