Summer of Service

Summer of Service is in full swing at Riverview Gardens! As a host site, we are proud to partner with the Boys & Girls Club of the Fox Valley and the Appleton Area School District in this unique endeavor!

Summer of Service is an initiative that recognizes and promotes the potential of Appleton area youth. It is an opportunity for 10th-12th grade students in the Fox Valley to gain knowledge and skills by engaging in service learning and leadership training right here at Riverview Gardens, as well as at other local nonprofit and community-based agencies.

This year, 26 students are participating in Summer of Service.  Each participant will complete approximately 120-130 service hours over the first three weeks of August.  Participants will spend a little over a week at Riverview Gardens.  The rest of the time will be spent working with other local nonprofit and community-based agencies including Habitat for Humanity and Appleton Parks & Recreation.  One of the service projects includes a mural in downtown Appleton; the mural will be on the side of Appleton Bike Shop, right next to McFleshman’s Brewery.

At the end of Summer of Service, participants will be graduates of Riverview Gardens’ ServiceWorks for Youth program.  We will continue to follow graduates to offer supportive services including assistance with resumes, work placement and references while ensuring progress and stability.  In addition, Summer of Service graduates are eligible to receive an ½ elective credit towards graduation, a bicycle through the Earn-A-Bike program at Riverview Gardens, community service hours and a $300 stipend!

Summer of Service is a great way for student to engage in a safe and constructive environment to learn leadership development and service learning.  Summer of Service provides youth with “a place to grow”.