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Allowing students to assume leadership roles underscores the importance of service-learning projects. Youth voice is highlighted as a framework for examining the impact of service-learning projects on students' academic and civic engagement. Presented here is a case study of the Youth Organized for Disaster Action (Y.O.D.A.) program. Data were derived from surveys, interviews and observations of schools in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that implemented safety-related projects during the school years of 2004 -2005 and 2005-2006. Analysis of the data suggests that students who made choices and were more actively involved in relevant and engaging activities while selecting, designing and organizing service-learning projects appeared more academically and civically engaged. This paper presents specific strategies that can be put into practice to foster youth voice in our service-learning programs.
