FAQ

1. What is the YSR Program?

YSR (Youth Service & Responsibility Program) is a youth-focused service and leadership program that connects military youth, middle/high school) and their families with meaningful volunteer opportunities across the community.

2. Who can participate in YSR?

YSR is currently open to military youth ages 11–18, as well as families who want to volunteer together. Some opportunities may have additional age requirements.

3. Do I need a parent or guardian to attend with me?

Youth under 16 need a parent/guardian depending on the opportunity.
Each project listing will clearly indicate supervision requirements.

4. Is there a fee to participate in the YSR program?

Yes. The YSR Program has a $199 annual fee for a family, which includes:

Secure login to monthly calendar of events
One YSR t-shirt
Project Tracking & Verification
- Members receive official documentation of service hours—ideal for college applications, scholarships, and resumes.
Volunteer Community
- Families join a network of service-minded peers, fostering social connection and shared purpose.
Access Youth Leadership Seminars
- Monthly workshops designed to build leadership, communication, and civic engagement skills.
Annual YSR Awards
- Celebrating youth who demonstrate exceptional commitment to service and leadership.
YSR Podcast (Quarterly)
- Youth-led episodes featuring stories, leadership insights, and community highlights.
Military Community Day of Service
- A signature annual event where all member families unite to serve their local communities together.

We never want cost to be a barrier for youth who want to give back. If the membership fee creates a hardship, please contact us at info@YSR.net — we’re here to help.

Volunteering & Participation

4. How do I get started?

Simply create an account on the YSR volunteer platform by clicking here!

Account
Browse the calendar
sign up for any opportunity

5. What types of volunteer opportunities are available?

YSR offers a wide range of service projects, including:

Animal Welfare
Community clean-ups
Military Support
Senior support
Environmental work

**View our full calendar our wide range of other opportunities

7. How many hours do I need to complete?

YSR does not require a minimum number of hours.
You can complete as many volunteer hours as you wish, and all completed hours will appear in your Service Hour Log which can be viewed in your account.

8. What should I bring to a volunteer project?

Each project listing will include specific details, but generally we recommend:

Closed-toe shoes
Water bottle
Weather-appropriate clothing
Any required forms or waivers (if applicable)

YSR Service Hours & Credit

9. How do I earn service credit?

You can view all verified and pending service hours in your account under:
My Dashboard → Service Hour Log

Anytime you register for an opportunity through the YSR platform and complete the service, your hours will be automatically added to your log once the organization confirms attendance.

You can log in anytime to check your progress, download reports, or submit hours for school credit.

10. How do I track my service hours?

You can view all verified and pending hours under My Dashboard → Service Hour Log.

12. Can YSR hours count toward school or other requirements?

Yes—YSR hours may count toward school, club, or other volunteer requirements. Check with your school or organization for confirmation.

Policies & Requirements

13. What is the attendance or cancellation policy?

We ask youth to cancel at least 48 hours in advance to allow other volunteers to take the spot. Repeated last-minute cancellations or no-shows WILL affect your participation status and future opportunities.

Waiting list - click here to confirm. Automated email notification that there is a spot open

14. Is transportation provided?

Transportation is not provided. Families are responsible for getting youth to and from volunteer sites.

Safety & Support

16. How does YSR ensure youth safety?

All partner organizations must meet our safety standards, which include staff supervision, age-appropriate tasks, and clear volunteer expectations.

17. Who do I contact if I have questions about a project?

Each project page includes the contact details of the event coordinator.
For general support, you can contact the YSR team via the Contact Us page.

Account & Technical Help

19. How do I reset my password?

Click “Forgot Password” on the login screen and follow the instructions.
If you need additional help, you can contact the YSR team via the Contact Us page.

20. Can I change my email or profile information?

Yes — log into your account and edit your profile under My Dashboard → Account Settings. You can also make selections to your interests for curated volunteer opportunities.

Volunteer Service Leader - FAQ

1. What is a Volunteer Service Leader (VSL)?

A VSL is a trained youth volunteer who leads or supports service projects in the community. VSLs help manage check-ins, guide volunteer groups, communicate with nonprofit partners, and ensure the project runs smoothly. This is a vital role in ensuring accurate reports for our members.

2. Who can become a VSL?

YSR VSLs may include:

Youth ages 15 -18
Families who want to co-lead projects together

**Learn more and apply here: LINK

3. What are the responsibilities of a VSL?

Typical VSL duties include:

Greeting volunteers and leading check-in/out
Reviewing safety guidelines and project instructions
Coordinating with the nonprofit partner on-site
Participation in volunteer volunteer project
Reporting attendance and hours in the YSR system
Sharing feedback with YSR staff on how the project went (SURVEY?)

4. How much time does a VSL commit?

You choose the projects you want to lead.
Most opportunities require 1–3 hours per project. Time commitment will be listed on the Volunteer project information.
We do request a commitment of 3 projects a year

Service Hours, Benefits & Experience

9. Do VSLs earn community service hours?

Yes! Hours appear in your Service Hour Log after attendance is confirmed.

10. What are the benefits of becoming a VSL?

VSLs gain:

Leadership experience
Communication & teamwork skills
Event management experience
Priority access to service projects
Great experience for college & job applications

11. Does being a VSL count as leadership or extracurricular experience?

Absolutely.
A VSL position is recognized by YSR as a leadership role, and many schools, clubs, and colleges appreciate this type of community leadership. Check with your organization for verification.

12. Will I receive a certificate?

YSR can provide:

A VSL Completion Certificate
A Service Hour Report
A Letter of Participation (upon request)

15. As a VSL, what if I can’t attend a project I signed up to lead?

Please cancel as soon as possible (preferably 48 hours in advance) so another VSL or staff person can step in. Please cancel in the system as well as send a text message to ______
Repeated last-minute cancellations WILL affect your VSL status.

Support & Questions

19. Who do I contact if I have questions?

You can reach the YSR team anytime via the Contact Us page.
For project-specific questions, each project listing includes the coordinator’s email.

Join us!

FAQ