Youth Service Council

Join the Youth Service Council by completing THIS application!

The Madison St. Vincent de Paul Youth Service Council (YSC) is part of the District Council of Madison, Inc., Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

The YSC is comprised of high school student representatives from local Catholic parishes and schools, will coordinate, plan, and implement service efforts for high school youth in the Madison area.  The YSC will be responsible for planning at least four or five major service initiatives each year (including some on an annually recurring basis) and then sharing these service opportunities with their local parish youth ministries and related school groups, encouraging their peers’ participation.  Supported by the adult Vincentian Youth Committee of the District of Madison, monthly/bimonthly meetings will include time for brainstorming, planning, spiritual formation, leadership development, and friendship-building in order to grow a strong team grounded in the three major tenets of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul:  spirituality, service, and friendship.

The YSC serves under the auspices of the District Council of Madison, Inc. – Society of St. Vincent de Paul and therefore may also participate in the larger service efforts of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Madison.   Efforts will be made to connect the YSC with other Vincentian high school service groups in the state and country.

Major Service Initiatives:
Spring Walk, YSC Scholarship Fund and/or additional service initiatives chosen, coordinated, and planned by the SVdP Youth Service Council.

Opportunities:
Participation in the Madison SVdP Youth Service Council offers many opportunities, including:

• Participation in a worldwide faith-based organization dedicated to serving those in need
• The chance to organize Madison-wide service opportunities for peers
• Growth in leadership training and development
• Experience in working with others and being part of a team
• Meeting new people interested in service and their faith, both locally and throughout the state and country
• Growth in understanding of one’s faith and deepening one’s spirituality
• Serving as the connection between one’s parish or school and the local Society of St. Vincent de Paul organization
• Holding an honorable service position and receiving experience suitable for listing on college applications, resumes, etc.

A signature effort of the YSC is the creation and development of an annual scholarship program. This scholarship assists a local graduating senior eligible for free and reduced lunch to pursue post-secondary education. YSC members plan fundraisers to support an award for tuition (usually $1,000) supplemented by financial support for the recipient’s family (often via rent credits and grocery store gift cards).

Commitment:
A minimum commitment of one year to the Madison SVdP Youth Service Council is expected.  Attendance at monthly/bimonthly meetings and the Annual Planning Retreat is critical.  Members of the SVdP Youth Service Council will rotate in reporting on the group’s efforts at monthly SVdP District Council meetings.  Participation in, planning for, and support of planned service events is considered part of the position.  Members will also serve as liaisons between the SVdP Youth Service Council and their respective parishes and schools.   Members should be available to communicate between meetings via email and other forms of online and in-person communication.

Selection Process:
Each Catholic parish/school will be allocated two representative spots on the SVdP Youth Service Council.

• Applicants may be nominated by others or nominate themselves.
• Interested high school students should submit the application form and answer the essay questions.
• Representatives will be selected based on several factors, including interest/experience in service, interest in connecting one’s faith to serving others, willingness to communicate information to local parishes/schools, availability for meeting times and ongoing communication, and a variety of seniority in class levels.

Join:

• Join the Youth Service Council by completing THIS application!
• For more information or to join the YSC, please email Membership Director Gayle Westfahl or call at (608) 442-7200 ext 35
• To learn more about YSC Scholarship and to make a donation, click here

Upcoming Youth Services Council Events

There are no upcoming events at this time.