Question: What does the Aspire calendar
look like for the year?
Answer: Applications are due August 1st for new teams.
Aspire has a state-wide training for all
teams in Nashville (October 2nd-5th). Teams return to
school prepared to assess their school climate
and implement a service-learning project addressing
issues in their school and community.
Teams will meet on a monthly basis. Throughout
the school year, Aspire staff will do site visits
at each school and provide support. In the spring,
teams create an end of year celebration to present
and celebrate their service.

Question: How are teams selected?
Answer: Teams are required to select student members
who mirror the diversity in the school they
represent and should possess demonstrated
leadership ability. Team input is
encouraged in the selection process.
New teams are asked to select 8 sophomores
the first year and add 8 more members each year.

Question: What is required of me as a sponsor
and what type of support will I receive?
Answer: Sponsors are required to attend all Aspire
trainings with their team. Sponsors are to host
at least one meeting per month with their team
and provide support and guidance.
Sponsors receive state-wide training
in the fall and are also offered a professional
development opportunity in service-learning at
no cost, with top national trainers including curriculum, all
valued at $500.

Question: What are some of the projects
teams have done in the past?
Answer: Teams have created alternatives to drug and
alcohol use, educated their school about the
                           dangers of meth, created peer mentoring programs,                             prevention programs for middle
schools, and addressed gang violence.

For More Information on Aspire Contact:

Melia Arnold, Aspire Service-Learning Director
Volunteer Tennessee
312 8th Ave, North Suite 1200
Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: 615-253-6314
Fax: 615-532-6950
Email: Melia.Arnold@state.tn.us

Our mission is to empower youth through service-learning to improve the learning climate of schools with special focus on school safety and youth norms regarding alcohol, drugs, and violence.