On Monday, April 28, more than 40 nonprofit and government organizations joined forces with the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, USA Freedom Corps, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington (BGCGW), and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to celebrate National Volunteer Week and the commitment of America's youth to volunteer service.

Case Foundation CEO Jean Case, actor Stephen Baldwin, singer Michael W. Smith, and other President's Council members joined White House officials and nonprofit leaders at a Boys & Girls Club in Southeast Washington, D.C., to highlight the importance of youth service and of recognizing the contributions of youth volunteers. Youth members of the BGCGW FBR Keystone Club were presented with the President's Volunteer Service Award for their exemplary community service project "Capitol Hill Takeover."

"Volunteers serve our community with tremendous dedication and enthusiasm," said Case. "Without their assistance, we would not be able to provide the services vital to the health and well-being of our community."

The event also served as the launch of a new online toolkit created in partnership with leading faith-based and community groups to engage youth from disadvantaged circumstances in volunteer service. Youth Engaged in Service: How and Why to Incorporate Volunteer Projects into Your Youth Program was developed in response to a study by CNCS. The study found that youth who volunteer are more likely to succeed in school and avoid risky behaviors, but there is a disturbing "class gap" in teen volunteer rates. Youth from low-income backgrounds volunteer at a rate of 43 percent, compared to 59 percent for other youth.

"This study highlights that service can turn a young person's life around, especially youth from disadvantaged backgrounds," said CNCS CEO David Eisner. "Service helps young people succeed in school and in life, and fosters a generation of citizens who will serve throughout their lifetime."

The online toolkit provides local youth leaders, coaches, ministers, volunteers, and community program coordinators with the tools and resources needed to incorporate youth service into their existing efforts in order to increase the number of youth from diverse backgrounds engaging in volunteer opportunities. The toolkit includes information on why it is important to engage youth in service, project examples, and strategies for starting and sustaining programs.

President Bush proclaimed April 27 to May 3, 2008, as National Volunteer Week to thank America's 61 million volunteers and recognize the many ways they improve our communities. At a press conference celebrating volunteers for the difference they've made across the country, the President met with Peace Corps trainees preparing for a tour of service in Guatemala and made special recognition of the pro bono programs of two of America's leading companies -- Deloitte and Intel. Read President Bush's complete remarks or watch the video of his presentation.