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High School (Youth Partnership Program)

The Youth Partnership Program (YPP) encourages high school students to serve as community volunteers to increase their awareness of community needs and the lifelong value of volunteerism. The program also provides students with the opportunity to become knowledgeable about their rights and responsibilities as community volunteers. 

A YPP volunteer gives their time and talents by choice, without receiving curriculum credit, to help others in their community or at their school. In the act of volunteering, students gain personal satisfaction, explore careers, develop leadership skills, make new friends, and possibly acquire job experience. Documented and approved volunteer hours are recorded by the high school and will appear on the student's high school transcript. Volunteer experience can be an important asset on job and college applications.

Youth Partnership Program Guidelines and Training

Program Guidelines

  • Students may count volunteer work AFTER the completion of the school-based training workshop offered by the high school.
  • Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, students may earn volunteer service hours OR paid work hours.  The two categories can be combined to meet Bright Futures Scholarship requirements.
  • Students cannot receive academic credit for volunteer work.
  • Students may use this program to meet the requirements of AICE Diploma, Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, and the International Baccalaureate Program.

Training

Before beginning community service, all students must attend a training session with their high school's YPP Coordinator.  Middle schools may also provide training for rising ninth-grade students, allowing them to begin volunteering during the summer before entering high school.  The training provides general guidelines on volunteering, tips for finding a volunteer placement, and the necessary paperwork required to document service hours for the school. These trainings are held periodically throughout the school year at each high school, and it is the responsibility of the student to attend.

The documentation obtained at the training includes:

  • The Youth Partnership Program Agreement, which must be completed by the student, parent, and volunteer agency before the start of volunteer service. Complete the Youth Partnership Program Agreement form for each volunteer site. Make a copy of the completed form for your records, then submit the original to the school.    
  • The Youth Partnership Program Sign-In Sheet is used to record all the volunteer activities. Students should total the hours and ask the volunteer site supervisor to verify and sign the form to confirm the student's attendance and participation.
  • The Youth Partnership Program Student Handbook, which explains the program's purpose, requirements, objectives, and student responsibilities. The YPP Student Handbook also provides additional suggestions for becoming a responsible and effective volunteer. In addition, it contains a YPP Sign-in Sheet and the YPP Volunteer Experience form for seniors.  
  • The Volunteer Experience Form, which is completed only once by exiting seniors, provides an opportunity for students to evaluate and reflect on their volunteer service experience.

Students may also receive additional training or orientation from the volunteer agency or organization. The student needs to understand the job role and ask questions for clarification. If a student is asked to do anything that makes them feel uncomfortable, they should report this to their parent/guardian, school YPP coordinator, or another trusted adult. 

Where to Volunteer and Acceptable Volunteer Hours 

It is the responsibility of each student to arrange for the volunteer experience. Many special interest clubs at schools participate in service-learning projects, that provide meaningful volunteer opportunities.  Examples include community clean-up initiatives, Earth Day projects, tutoring in after-school programs, helping Habitat for Humanity, and Special Olympics.

Acceptable volunteer hours include:

  • Community service for a public, non-profit agency or organization
  • Business or government internship 
  • Activity conducted on behalf of a candidate for public office

NOTE:  Be sure to have your YPP Agreement Form completed and approved by your YPP Coordinator prior to beginning your volunteer service.