Kent State at East Liverpool sociology students will participate in Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) Saturday. GYSD is the largest service event in the world, with thousands of youth-led community service projects implemented in all 50 states and more than100 countries worldwide.

Dr. Lydia Rose, Kent State University at East Liverpool associate sociology professor, implemented a healthy lifestyle initiative in her sociology courses. The goal of the program, known as Moving Youth2Youth, is to fight childhood obesity and to positively impact the lives of more than 300 youth in East Liverpool and surrounding areas. 

“Moving Youth2Youth is a great opportunity for students of all ages to have fun, participate in making their community better, learn something new, as well as realize the power they have to change the world,” Rose said. “The KSU East Liverpool students did a phenomenal job this semester linking the needs of our community with learning sociology and the power of serving their community.”

This year’s event will be held at Thompson Park, Pavilion #1 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Sponsors are Kent State East Liverpool students, Youth Service of America, and United Health Care.

The public is welcome to come out for a day of celebrating service in the community.  Games, races, arts and crafts and additional festivities will be part of the event. Participants are encouraged to bring a packed lunch.

“I am very happy to be able to teach our youth the importance of living a healthy lifestyle,” sociology student Tamela Watkins said. “I hope that our event helps children learn how to eat right and stay active.”

The semester-long initiative will culminate at the Global Youth Service Day. For more information, please contact Dr. Rose at lrose17@kent.edu.

“I am really looking forward to their Moving Youth2Youth event this Saturday celebrating Global Youth Service Day,” said Rose. “I’m sure it will be a fun, exciting event for everyone of all ages as well as a great opportunity to learning about other community service activities we can do together.“