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Message from the program manager |
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As we come to the close of another impactful year, I want to take a moment to sincerely thank you for your dedication, partnership and commitment to service across Idaho.
This year, Serve Idaho programs and partners have continued to strengthen communities, address critical needs and uplift individuals and families through service.
None of this would have been possible without your hard work, collaboration and belief in the power of national service and volunteerism.
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 Emily Straubhaur, Serve Idaho program manager
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Whether you served on the front lines, supported programs behind the scenes or helped expand opportunities for others to serve, your contributions have made a meaningful difference.
I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together in 2025 and grateful for the resilience, creativity and compassion you bring to this work. As we reflect on the progress made and look ahead to 2026, I am excited about the opportunities before us and am confident that, together, we will continue to strengthen Idaho’s communities.
Thank you again for all that you do. I hope you had a restful holiday season and have a happy, healthy and successful new year.
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Member highlight - Julia Sanderson and Gabriella Woodard |
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 Gabriella Woodard (left) and Julia Sanderson (right).
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True or false — Worms are the most efficient decomposers.
False. Worms are great decomposers, but not the most efficient. Fungi is king! Another fantastic decomposer is the black soldier fly larvae.
Sharing fun and informative facts like this is a part of the service Julia Sanderson and Gabriella Woodard do with the 4-H STEM Corps AmeriCorps program, providing educational programs to students at 52 different schools and other sites.
Besides worms, they also teach about monarch butterflies and other pollinators and instruct students on how to make nature journals and bird feeders.
In addition to interesting information, students also learn social and emotional skills, such as teamwork, critical thinking and understanding others’ perspectives.
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“I enjoy seeing the passion for change with how we treat our planet, the amazing support I feel for everything I do, and of course — the students! I love teaching and watching students grow,” Sanderson said.
Sanderson has been partnered with the Boise School District, focusing her teaching on sustainability and outdoor education. During a multi-day event centered around food insecurity, sustainable farming, soil health and horticulture, she was able to help students with their final project, which was building their own sustainable farms. They also did winter sowing to grow plants to either add to the small school garden or take home.
Learn more at the 4-H STEM Corps website.
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Make a difference in the new year |
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Looking for a New Year’s resolution that not only benefits you, but others as well?
Consider committing to volunteering as a chance to give back, build new skills, grow personally and support causes that matter to you.
Create your volunteer profile and start exploring ways to get involved today.
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 Serve Idaho staff, commissioners, AmeriCorps members and Morley Nelson staff, families and students finish a spray-painted sensory walk.
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Just Serve – Search for volunteer opportunities to enhance the quality of life in your community.
Idealist – Discover thousands of unique ways to volunteer, with virtual and onsite opportunities to support over 50 different cause areas.
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Help Youth Service America increase volunteer engagement in your community |
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Youth Service America recognizes only one in four young people regularly participate in service within their communities. This means approximately 64 million young people in the U.S. are not engaged in civic life.
These disparities are most pronounced among young people from low-income families and communities, young people of color and those who are frequently served by systems but are rarely invited to serve as leaders and contributors.
Serve Idaho invites you to help address these gaps and add your voice to the discussion by taking Youth Service America’s survey by Jan. 31.
Additionally, organizations and individuals who engage youth in service are invited to participate in one of two upcoming forums.
Participants may include representatives from K-12 schools, colleges and universities, after school programs, faith-based organizations, youth development programs, issue-focused organizations and other groups committed to youth engagement and service.
Forum dates and locations
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Jan. 27 | 10 to 11:30 a.m. (MT) — Virtual (Microsoft Teams)
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Jan. 28 | 4 to 5:30 p.m. (MT) — In person at Serve Idaho office (317 W. Main Street, Boise)
If you are interested in attending one of the forums, please sign up using the form below.
Feedback collected during the forums will be used by Youth Service America to:
- Inform national youth service strategy and program direction
- Develop tools, resources and assets that support youth-serving organizations
- Identify and elevate promising practices that remove barriers and increase youth participation in service
Insights from these conversations will contribute to The New Era of Youth Service in America: A National Strategy, scheduled to launch in July 2026 in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary and Youth Service America’s 40th anniversary.
We hope you will join us in shaping a more inclusive, impactful future for youth service.
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Your input is needed to develop a national volunteer strategy |
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Help us shape the future of volunteering in America.
Points of Light and partners across the civic ecosystem are working together to develop a national volunteer strategy – a shared vision for how our country can support and strengthen volunteering and community connection over the next decade.
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Join this year's MLK - Idaho Human Rights Day celebration |
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 Participants drawing on cards during a past celebration.
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If you are located in the Treasure Valley, join Serve Idaho for the Martin Luther King Jr. - Idaho Human Rights Day celebration.
The event will be at the Idaho State Capital on Jan. 19 from noon to 2 p.m. (MT).
You can participate by:
- Donating wipes and diapers for the Idaho Diaper Bank
- Making cards for isolated seniors in Idaho
- Enjoying cultural song and dance that celebrates Idaho’s diverse communities
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Complete this survey to sign up for an alum-specific quarterly newsletter with service opportunities, events and more.
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The Idaho Department of Labor is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request. Dial 711 for Idaho Relay Service.
Serve Idaho is supported by AmeriCorps. A total of $7,722,927 (79%) of the program is financed through federal funds, and $2,051,059 (21%) is funded through local support.
      
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This email was sent by Idaho Department of Labor from 317 West Main Street, Boise, ID, 83735, United States
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