Youth Service Committee
Justin Wang
Co-Chair
Elizabeth (Liz) Cowie
Co-Chair
Empowering Youth.
Building Leaders.
Strengthening Communities.
At PAUR, we believe that investing in young people is one of the most powerful ways to shape a better future. The Youth Service Committee is dedicated to creating meaningful, hands-on opportunities that equip youth with the tools to lead, serve, and thrive.
By partnering with schools, Interact Clubs, and youth-focused organizations, we foster leadership development, civic awareness, and community engagement—all while strengthening the bridge between Rotary and the next generation of change-makers.
Our Programs
Interact Clubs
We sponsor and mentor three Interact Clubs at Palo Alto High School and in the Silicon Valley community, providing students an opportunity to grow their leadership skills and engage in meaningful service projects including math tutoring, food drives, and enhancing the natural environment.
RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards)
Each year, we sponsor youth in grades 9-11 to attend the transformative leadership camp known as Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (“RYLA”) Camp in Scotts Valley, CA. For example, students from East Palo Alto Academy, Palo Alto, Gunn, and Menlo-Atherton High Schools have participated in RYLA, gaining leadership skills and friendships.
Youth Community Services (YCS)
From Palo Alto community events like the Chalk Art Festival to the annual MLK Day of Gathering, we collaborate with YCS to encourage youth participation in local service. We help staff booths, sponsor speakers, and promote volunteerism across several high schools including East Palo Alto Academy, Palo Alto and Gunn High Schools.
Youth Speech Contest
The Richard D. King Youth Speech Contest is an annual highlight in which students in grades 9-12 share remarks on the theme, "Service Above Self.” They earn cash prizes, public recognition, and public speaking experience, and the winners have the opportunity to advance to area and regional competitions.
Career Dinners & Mentorship
Through career dinners, panel discussions, and volunteer-led events at schools like East Palo Alto Academy, we give students firsthand exposure to real-world career paths, help build their networks and confidence, and offer supportive, informal spaces to ask questions and imagine their futures.
New Voices for Youth
We support the New Voices for Youth program of El Concilio of San Mateo County, which empowers young people to explore social issues through documentary storytelling and provide services that increase digital literacy in the community.
Who Benefits
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High school students from East Palo Alto, Palo Alto, and surrounding communities gain access to mentorship, leadership training, scholarships, and service-learning opportunities.
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Schools and educators receive support for extracurricular programs and career readiness initiatives.
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The community benefits from a generation of engaged, informed, and inspired youth ready to lead and serve.
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Rotarians and volunteers experience the joy and impact of nurturing future leaders through direct, meaningful engagement.
How To Get Involved
Please fill out an interest form and one of our committee members will be in touch.
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Volunteer to mentor a student, participate in a career dinner, or judge the speech contest.
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Join the committee—whether you have a few hours or want to be more hands-on, your voice and ideas are welcome.
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Sponsor a student to attend RYLA or fund a service mini-grant for an Interact Club.
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Attend an event to see the impact of our programs firsthand.
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Partner with us if you’re part of a school, nonprofit, or community organization serving youth.