New national data shows youth-led service is linked to confidence and job readiness

Important takeaways

• Job readiness: Half of young people (52%) say service jobs have had some (38%) or a lot (14%) impact on feeling prepared for future work.
• Connection: 79% said that service activities had some (47%) or a lot (32%) impact on feeling connected to their community.
• Strength: Young people with service experience are more likely to say they can handle anything that comes their way (66% vs. 52%).

WASHINGTON, DC, March 9, 2026 – New national research from The Allstate Foundation and Gallup shows that youth who participate in the workforce report significant gains in the areas of job readiness, communication and resilience, especially when the service is sustainable, diverse and youth-led.

A nationally representative survey of more than 3,000 youth ages 12-25 found that 82% said they were involved in some form of service. Young people who have worked are more likely than those who don’t say they can face challenges, persevere through problems and achieve their goals. 60 percent of youth workers say they can find solutions to problems without getting discouraged, compared to 43 percent of those with no service experience.

Greg Weatherford II, director of the Allstate Foundation & Social Impact:
“Service is a powerful tool that develops youth work readiness, connection and resilience. When youth are trusted to lead and given real opportunities to make an impact, the benefits multiply. That’s why the Allstate Foundation empowers youth to serve and improve communities across the country together and equips them with resources and opportunities to make a difference.”

How does service affect job readiness?
Half (52%) report that service activities have had some (38%) or a lot (14%) impact on feeling prepared for future work. Through deep engagement, youth have the opportunity to rate themselves as “good” or “excellent” in career-ready skills.

• Confidence that they will be able to find the job they want is 59% for those who have worked 40 hours or more in the past 12 months, compared to 33% for young people with no work experience.
• Public speaking is one of the biggest differences, rated good or very good by 55% of those who completed 40 or more hours of service, compared to 21% of youth with no service experience.

How does the service affect communication?
Seventy-nine percent of young people say that service activities have had some (47%) or a lot (32%) impact on feeling connected to their community. A big difference in service experience is also linked to connectivity.

• Feeling connected to people in the community increases to 61% among those involved in five or more types of service from 31% among youth with no service experience.

Additionally, feeling proud of who they are rose to 78% from 61%.

How does service affect durability?
More time dedicated to service is linked to important resilience factors.

• Confidence in handling whatever comes their way increases to 73% among those who completed 40 or more hours of service in the past 12 months from 52% among youth with no service experience.
• Among the same group, confidence in finding solutions to problems without compromise rises to 71% from 41%.

How does youth-led service affect confidence in the future?
Youth-led ministry, where young people choose, organize or lead activities, is associated with powerful results.

• Half (50%) of youth with youth-led service experience say they feel confident in achieving their career goals, compared to 34% of those with non-youth-led experience.
• Leadership in the workplace is also linked to high self-esteem and strong problem-solving skills.

Despite the benefits, youth-led service is a rare phenomenon. Just over half of young people (54%) say they have had a ministry experience that involved youth leadership at least once. Fewer report consistent opportunities to set goals (46%), organize (44%) or lead (43%) service activities.

Stephanie Marken, senior partner at Gallup:
“This research is consistent with patterns Gallup sees across our broader youth studies, where experiences that empower young people are consistently associated with higher job readiness and confidence in the future. When service is frequent and youth-led, young people are more likely to report stronger job readiness skills, closer connections to their community and greater confidence in their ability to face challenges.”

How to make youth-led service more accessible?

• Young people: Start serving in ways you like; even small tasks can help you build confidence, gain new energy and make a positive difference in your community.
• Parents, teachers and counselors: Create simple, everyday opportunities for youth to work and lead, then help them reflect on what they’ve learned so that service is meaningful, builds confidence and connects to their future.
• Decision makers: Expand access to youth services by reducing barriers, raising awareness of local opportunities and providing flexible, easy ways for youth to help.

Taken together, the findings show that sustainable, diverse, youth-led service is linked to stronger job readiness, communication and resilience. To check out the full report, visit https://www.gallup.com/analytics/702254/youth-service.aspx. Empower youth to serve and improve communities through the services of the Allstate Foundation https://www.allstatecorporation.com/the-allstate-foundation/youth-empowerment.aspx.

About the Allstate Foundation
The Allstate Foundation empowers people and communities to succeed. Founded in 1952, we take a trust-based approach to philanthropy that focuses on the needs of nonprofit organizations and the stakeholders they serve. Through bold actions and encouraging people to take action, we focus on two main issues: empowering young people to help and improve communities and interrupting the cycle and reducing the spread of relationship abuse.

We also increase employee and agent volunteerism through our Helping Hands matching and grant programs, support communities before and after disasters and develop nonprofit leaders and board members through the Center for Nonprofit Leadership. Read more at www.allstatefoundation.org,
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About Gallup
Gallup delivers statistics and advice to help leaders and organizations solve their most pressing problems. Founded more than 85 years ago, Gallup has offices in more than 20 countries and conducts surveys in more than 160 countries.

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