Mission Statement:
"Service Comes From The Heart"

The mission statement of the Greene County Youth Council is to nurture high school students in an interactive environment providing skills they can take back to their schools and implement in the daily activities, helping them to become effective leaders in their community.

The Greene County Youth Council is a program of the Greene County Partnership and is funded by a $50 membership fee and sponsorships. The Youth Council is a community service-oriented group consisting of high school students from all five high schools, grades 9-12, who are dedicated to the all-around improvement of Greeneville and Greene County. The program runs from September through May. Sponsors for the Greene County Youth Council are also sponsors of the Greene County Youth Leadership Program and include Wal-Mart Transportation, The Niswonger Foundation, Takoma Regional Hospital, Laughlin Memorial Hospital, DTR Tennessee, Inc., Greeneville Federal Bank, GreenBank, American Patriot Bank, Heritage Community Bank, Consumer Credit Union, Life Care Center of Greeneville, Kiwanis Club of Greeneville, East Tennessee Promotions, Greeneville Newcomer's Club, Andrew Johnson Bank, Greeneville Light & Power System and Bewley Properties.

Criteria for certification to the program requires each student to participate in at least 50 hours of community service/volunteer activities, participate in group service projects, and attend monthly Youth Council meetings. Members are required to perform their volunteer work individually and are given opportunities to participate in several group activities planned throughout the school year. The Greene County Youth Council is the Volunteer Spirit Award winner in the high school group category all five years the award has been presented. During 2003-04, students gave back to the community more than $31,000 in volunteer hours; in 2004-05, students gave back over $37,000 in volunteer hours; in 2005-06, students gave back over $42,000 in volunteer hours.  In 2006-07, students volunteered more than 3,000 hours, with a savings to the community of over $58,000.  With a record 76 students in the program for the 2007-08 school year, a total of more than $60,000 was returned to the community with over 3,500 hours being donated in volunteer service.

Past projects in which the Greene County Youth Council has participated include: Freewill Baptist Family Ministries, Embarq Coat Drive, Habitat for Humanity landscaping project, Tiny Day/Red Edmonds Memorial Softball Tournament, 2007 Greeneville Christmas Parade, the Boys & Girls Club Halloween & Christmas parties, Gifts for Kids, Humane Society, bell ringing for the Salvation Army/Christian Ministries at Christmas, donations to the Food Bank and Coal Fund, Morning Rotary Club's Victorian Christmas Tea, Halloween Happenings, Keep Greene Beautiful's Adopt-A-Spot, the Parenting Fair, the Iris Festival and Chillin' & Grillin' Festival.

Greeneville Christmas Parade - December 2007

Adopt-A-Spot Project - October 2007

                               

At the May 2008 Youth Council Awards Banquet, Madison Waddell, a senior at Greeneville High School was named the Greene County Youth Council's Member of the Year for her dedication, contributions and enthusiasm during the program.  Waddell volunteered for 14 of 22 service projects, and did volunteer projects with other agencies as well.  Scott Blake, a sophomore at South Greene High School, was named the 2008 Greene County Youth Council Volunteer of the Year for his incredible 241 hours of volunteer service during the 2007-08 school year.

2008 Youth Council Graduation & Recognition Ceremony - May 2008 Madison Waddell and Scott Blake

The 2007-08 program kicked off September 8, 2007, with 63 students attending a day-long retreat filled with team building, peer bonding, and a community-service project at the Oaks Family Conference Center and Campground on the campus of Freewill Baptist Family Ministries. At last year's retreat, Youth Council members participated in a service project on the campus of Freewill Baptist Family Ministries. During the 2002 retreat, the Youth Council members performed a service project on the grounds and in the barn area at Holston Home. The area was planned for an equestrian development program for Holston Home and with the hard work of the Youth Council members, the entire barn and grounds were completely cleared of any and all debris, allowing the equestrian program to be one step closer to completion at no expense to Holston Home.

Greene Count y Youth Council Retreat - September 2007 The Oaks Conference Center & Campground on the campus of Freewill Baptist Family Ministries

During the 2004 retreat, Youth Council members painted the fence they constructed around the equestrian area so the project is complete -- the grounds and barn were cleared, the fence was constructed and painted, and the members walked away tired, but very proud of themselves! The area now houses several horses as well as a "pizza garden." Residents at Holston Home have constructed and maintained a garden area near the barn which is home to several types of peppers, onions, tomatos, carrots and different organic spices, which are harvested and consumed annually.

Cemetery Clean Up - October 2007

Gifts for Kids Distribution Day December 2007

For more information regarding the Youth Leadership or Youth Council programs, please contact Kelly Burrell.

Below is a list of students who are members of the 2007-08 Greene County Youth Council program: