Youth ServiceCorps (YSC)

The mission of the Youth ServiceCorps (YSC) is to equip, support, and empower youths to become leaders with opportunities to develop their skills so they can serve and invest in their communities.

Applications for Youth ServiceCorps Volunteers are open for rising high school students (9th-12th grade)!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is YSC?

Youth ServiceCorps (YSC) is an inclusive and safe program for all youths who want to give back to the community through service, personal development, and having fun. We do this through volunteering activities, developmental workshops, mentoring, peer to peer learning, and opportunities to engage and lead others.

Over a hundred high school students signs up to be a Youth ServiceCorps volunteer each year to participate in volunteer activities, workshops, and social events. Many of our volunteers come from Quincy High, North Quincy High, Braintree High, B.C. High, Randolph and other schools in Massachusetts. Make a Difference.

What do YSC volunteers do?

QARI staff and youth leaders plan volunteering opportunities throughout the year for high school volunteers to learn more about the needs of the community and the nonprofit organizations that are meeting their specific needs. Our activities in the past years have included community park clean-ups, serving in food kitchens and pantries for specific community members, supporting cultural and civic festivals, and other community-based events. Some of our regular events each year include:

  • Hundreds of youth volunteers help make QARI-sponsored festivals a success. They invested their time making festival decorations, helped advertise the festivals, provided support, and organized activities during the festival. Volunteer youths assist festival visitors with warm smiles and high energy, encouraging them to have fun and learn about the cultural heritage of the festivals.

  • QARI believes climate change directly impacts the quality of life of immigrant communities which often are left behind. YSC volunteers will be organizing events and activities focusing on electric vehicles, environmental awareness, and energy savings.

What other activities can YSC volunteers participate in?

The QARI Youth Staff are committed in building up the next generation to be influencers and leaders wherever they are. The Youth Department organizes regular workshops for all youths to attend during the school year. Many workshops will focus on the necessary skills needed to navigate our increasingly digital environment like Google Drive and social networking sites like Linkedin. Other workshops focus on holistic well being through self care workshops, social events and discussions like our monthly Bubble Tea Time in English and Chinese languages.

  • Youth department staff and Youth Outreach youth leaders plan once a month discussions for all youths to sign up and attend. The goal is to provide a safe and encouraging environment for youths to enjoy free boba tea and discuss relevant youth culture topics and issues focusing on mental well being. Youth Department staff facilitates these discussions in English and Chinese languages.

  • Monthly social activities held on Friday afternoons for high school students to meet new people through food, movies, and organized games at our North Quincy site. We held movie holiday movie nights with popcorn and snacks, board games, and other activities to have fun and meet new people.

  • Equipping the youth to have the tools to be prepared for post college life is important. The youth staff and youth leaders organize workshops for high school students to attend after school during the academic year. Topics such as resume writing, time management, teen budgeting, stress management, interview skills, and many more are done by QARI staff and invited guests.

How can I get more involved with YSC?

Our youth leadership program invites high school students to apply every spring to become a youth leader for the following service year. Youths accepted into the program will participate with the Youth Department to plan, execute, and evaluate activities for the youths in the community. Youth leaders gain essential skills and experience which will help prepare them to be leaders in their future careers. Youth leaders can choose between three different areas, called branches, to serve.

Learn more about the branches below!

  • Focuses on supporting QARI’s August Moon and Lunar New Year Festival; planning cultural events, and cross cultural learning.

  • Focuses on social events for the youth community; networking and advertising QARI’s activities; self care or personal skills workshops.

  • Focuses on civic engagement with environmental initiatives; raising awareness about community needs; engaging youths to be civically minded.

 For more information, please contact Angela Chen, Youth Programs Lead, at angelayc@quincyasianresources.org.