Youth Service America - Giver or Taker?
Youth Service America a non-profit DC based youth service organiization has failed to make payments to award winners of the Able To Serve grant recipients. The Able To Serve Awards money was given by the Corporation For National Service to be distributed to non-profits involving the handicapped in community service. To date many of those recipients have yet to receive their total awards.
It is shameful if this money has been redirected to the operating expenses of Youth Service America at the cost of many non-profit programs throughout the United States.
Youth Service America has been avoiding the many phone and email contacts of these programs and has failed miserably in communicating with them as to what has happened to the money and is not answering questions regarding whether these programs will ever receive what is due them.
It is estimated that approximately $190,000 in CNS funds are gone from the coffers of Youth Service America and at present Youth Service America management is in talks with the Corporation For National Service in an attempt to replace the grant money.
We have no information how that process is coming along but we know that the investigation is being handled by Susan Mesh at the Corporation For National Service . The Corporation's phone number is (202) 606-5000. I do not believe that the Corporation would try to coverup what is going on in this matter if they are questioned.
Be aware that not only was this money earmarked for the Able To Serve grants but this is taxpayer money. Yes yours and mine!
There is also other information that we have gathered that Youth Service America has also failed in paying other awards sponsored by private corporations. These include the Channel One Power of One Awards among others.
If these misappropriations concern or upset you as they do us or if you are one of the non-profits needing these funds for continuance of your programs, I would suggest that you contact your congressmen for more information. You may also be able to glean some information from Susan Mesh at the Corporation For National Service at the number listed above or contact the office of Counsel at the Corporation (202) 606-5000.
It would also be helpful to us if you could keep us up to date on the developments that you experience in dealing with the Corporation For National Service, Youth Service America or others involved so that this information can be shared between all interested parties.
You may contact us at GivingGuard@hotmail.com to Jessica Caton-Wills. You may remain anonymous in sharing your information. If this situation is not resolved soon we will be setting up a more complete website to share information and bring this fiasco to a legal and fair resolution.
Sincerely,
Jessica Caton-Wills
Below are some of the links to Corporation For National Service and Youth Service America. If you need email or phone contact with Youth Service America.
The phone number is (202)296-2992
Steve Culbertson CEO of Youth Service America Ext 43
Sharon Brender COO of Youth Service America Ext 31
Mike McCabe VP of Programs Ext 16
The email addresses are:
Steve Culbertson CEO of Youth Service America
sculbertson@ysa.org
Sharon Brender COO of Youth Service America
sbrender@ysa.org
Mike McCabe VP of Programs
mmccabe@ysa.org
Zachary Shaw Financial Director
zshaw@ysa.org
Youth Service America
Corporation For National Service
Send E-Mail to: GivingGuard@hotmail.com
Copyright © 2001 Jessica Caton-Wills. All Rights Reserved