Miley Cyrus and Youth Service America Join Forces to Ask Kids to Change the World

Miley Cyrus and Youth Service America Join Forces to Ask Kids to Change the World

Miley.YSA.org website encourages youth volunteerism on Global Youth Service Day

WASHINGTON, April 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Miley Cyrus is joining forces with Youth Service America to promote community service for the 21st annual Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) on April 24-26, 2009. Through the new Miley.YSA.org website, Miley sends out a call to service asking kids to take action and share their stories, videos, and photos for GYSD.

Global Youth Service Day is the largest service event in the world and draws the world's attention to the amazing contributions young people make to their communities every day. Millions of youth in more than 100 countries will organize community service projects that address problems in health, education, human service, and the environment. The new online community gives kids the opportunity to find solutions, take action, and share results, supporting Miley's passion toward youth service.

The network features are built on a Ning platform and include:
-- A video call-to-service from Miley
-- 100 Ways to Change the World
-- The chance to participate in a service project with Miley
-- Opportunities for kids to support each other through story telling,
photos, videos, blogs, about how they can improve their communities.

"It is so exciting to know that millions of kids around the world are helping to make their communities and neighborhoods a better place," said Ms. Cyrus. "Global Youth Service Day is a great way for kids to get involved and prove their power. My parents instilled in me a passion for service, and I want to motivate all my friends and fans to do something they believe in."

"Youth Service America is proud to partner with Miley Cyrus to bring attention to the rising momentum of the youth service movement," said Steve Culbertson, president and CEO of Youth Service America. "GYSD is a shining example of the positive change that comes from young people contributing to their communities, and Miley will help us tell a powerful story about the year-round participation of young volunteers around the world."

GYSD occurs in all 50 states and in more than 100 countries, including Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. Children and youth are encouraged to participate through service and service-learning activities and through good deeds. Hundreds of events are already registered online at program's website, www.GYSD.org.

For more information about this event, visit www.GYSD.org.

About Miley Cyrus

Miley Ray Cyrus, 16, (born Destiny Hope Cyrus on November 23, 1992) is a Golden Globe and Critic's Choice Award nominated American singer, actress, and best-selling author. Miley is known for starring as Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana in the television series Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel and in the new film, Hannah Montana: The Movie. Miley was recently listed among artists and entertainers as one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in The World. In a Time interview in 2008, she encouraged her peers to "start young" when it comes to service. "If you pick up a guitar when you're 8 you're really good at it by the time you're 20. It's the same with giving back. My family has been visiting Kentucky coal-mine towns since I was little. We take clothes, gifts, and school supplies. It's an eye opener for me, seeing families here in America living in Third World conditions. And it makes me want to make a difference. The truth is, it's never too early to get involved. Someday today's kids will be running for President. Now is our prep time. We need to get some practice in before we save the world." Visit Miley Cyrus's Website

About Youth Service America

Youth Service America (YSA) improves communities by increasing the number and the diversity of young people, ages 5-25, serving in substantive roles. YSA envisions a global culture of engaged children and youth committed to a lifetime of service, learning, leadership, and achievement. The impact of YSA's work through service and service-learning is measured in student achievement, workplace readiness, and healthier communities. Learn more at YSA.org

About Ning

Based in Palo Alto, CA, Ning is a global platform for people to engage in and experience social networking in a new way. Ning allows people to participate in and create social networks for the interests they feel passionately about. Through Ning, people can make new friends, build connections and create a following around the experiences, activities and things that they love. With Ning's innovative, easy-to-use platform for creating your own social network, people can express themselves freely, have fun, and find other people around the world who share the same interests. Since the launch of your own social network for anything in February 2007, 1 million social networks have been created on the Ning Platform. The company was founded by Gina Bianchini and Marc Andreessen.

Source: Youth Service America

CONTACT: Brandon Gryde, of Youth Service America,+1-202-296-2992 x 128,
bgryde@ysa.org

Web Site: http://www.ysa.org/
http://www.gysd.org/

NOTE TO EDITORS: To book an interview with Steve Culbertson, president and CEO of Youth Service America, contact Brandon Gryde at 202-296-2992 x 128 or email at bgryde@ysa.org.

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