By: Matthew Cordner The Youthlinc Service Year experience is one that will truly change your life, but how much you gain depends on how much you put into it. The Youthlinc service year is about more than just the capstone trip, it’s about serving others and building connections both in your local area and abroad. First, invest yourself fully into your local service. This is where the real change happens. When I was a humanitarian, I would volunteer twice a week at the Springv

By: Elizabeth Divis Every year, 12th grade students at Juan Diego Catholic High School participate in the Senior Service Project or Juan Diego Senior Service Week (JDSSW). For a whole week, seniors participate in service opportunities in the community instead of classes. Every senior is assigned to a specific service location, and this year, three students spent the week with Youthlinc’s Real Life program. JDSSW 2026 took place over the week of January 26th-30th, and three Ju

By Jordan Taylor Guatemala is home to volcanoes, rainforest, and ancient Mayan sites. There is an endless need and a desire to improve. As one of our closest sites, Guatemala proves that you don’t always need to travel far to find a genuine need and sustainable projects to dig your heels into. Youthlinc has been working in Guatemala since 2012 and is excited to announce our return after a very short-lived break this past year.    In 2014, we became partners with People for Gu

How does Youthlinc choose a new site? IN-COUNTRY COORDINATORS Youthlinc partners with local NGO’s and Rotary clubs in-country to ensure our work will benefit the overall community in a positive way.  Partners are vetted out and have stellar reputations for their work. SITE VISIT Before Youthlinc sends a team to a country, we send a staff member to conduct an initial evaluation to ensure safety and a positive, mutually beneficial partnership. COUNTRY EVALUATIONS Each year, Yo

By: Justin Powell Youthlinc and Utah State University have been working together in a variety of ways for the past fifteen years.  Originally students and faculty took part in the Service Year program and dozens of USU students were able to go through our service program and travel abroad.  In 2016, our Executive Director, Justin Powell, and Janis Boettinger, Vice Provost and Director of the Office of Global Engagement, forged a new partnership between Youthlinc and Utah Stat

By: Jackie Moynihan Youthlinc has called Peru home for the past 15 years thanks to partnerships with our amazing in-country coordinator, Carlos Acosta, the Rotary Club of Iquitos, and countless other community leaders. In order to provide sustainable international humanitarian work in Peru and the other countries we serve, Youthlinc does not stay in one community for more than 3 years. After two years worth of Youthlinc teams and work in Santa Isabel, a small river village ou