Youth Community Development Team

Youth Community Development Team was created by the Rotary Club of Harrisburg in partnership with

Leadership Harrisburg Area

The Foundation for Enhancing Communities

The Patriot News

United Way of the Capital Region

and many dedicated volunteers back in 2004.

YCDT is provided for students in the Harrisburg School District, Steelton/Highspire School District and Bishop McDevitt High School. Each year, 30 students are selected for this important 9-month leadership and community development program. It is a highly competitive selection process.

While there are many perceived and real outcomes of the YCDT program that take place to increase confidence in the students who participate; transform attitudes, broaden perspectives, and plant the seeds of friendship and understanding across cultural and socioeconomic boundaries, the objectives laid out by the Rotary Club of Harrisburg, which can be measured, are as follows. The YCDT Program will:

1) Increase students’ exposure to the greater Harrisburg community and their awareness of local resources.

2) Develop and improve students’ oral communication & presentation skills.

3) Increase students’ application of collaboration, negotiation, compromise, and persuasive skills.

4) Provide students with a forum to serve the community and demonstrate an impact.

The objectives of the YCDT program are achieved through a REAL experience whereby students identify an area of community focus, raise money toward providing a solution in the area of focus, and select a community organization with which to partner to impact the area of focus by providing a grant and community service hours.

Past community organizations and recipients of YCDT funding have included: Thrive Housing Services, Beautify the Burg, The Silence of Mary, Drug Free PA, The Joshua Group, Channels Food Rescue, and Bridge of Hope. On average, YCDT students raise and donate $5,000 per year to a community group.

Students are encouraged to continue volunteer service and involvement after the conclusion of the YCDT Program.