The musician calls on young people to organize local fundraisers to help their Haitian peers. By Mark Dagostino, January 13, Tonic.com:   In the wake of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, music superstar and philanthropist Usher Raymond IV is calling on youth worldwide to help.

"I am devastated by the news in Haiti and am calling for youth worldwide to support and offer assistance to the millions of people in that area that are in dire need," he said in a statement Wednesday afternoon. "I am currently working with Usher's New Look, my non-profit organization, to figure out the most effective means of help. I also know that young men and women have asked the same question — 'How can I help?'"

"With Haiti in a state of emergency right now, young people do have the power to save lives. I am asking young people of all ages to mobilize by organizing local fundraisers with the proceeds going to their peers in Haiti. This is one way we all can make a difference."

Usher is the founder of Usher's New Look and Powered by Service — the latter of which offers a toolkit on its website for generating fundraising ideas.

Also check out the article in OK! Magazine here and see the video below of how one youth, Ivan, responded to the call and raised $1000 for the UN Foundation.

  Check out the video from Channel One News and find out how Usher is giving back by empowering teens and inspiring their creative vision.  It's all about "HEART" work--always stretching yourself, being POWERED BY SERVICE, and doing something great!   

   From NY Daily News, Wed, Dec 30:  By Simone Weichselbaum, Daily News Staff Writer;  R&B superstar is giving away $500 checks to some of the city's brightest kids so they can make a change on the toughest streets in town.

The pop sensation has doled out five grants citywide since September to youngsters in Harlem and the Bronx for a shot at neighborhood glory. Kids in Queens and Brooklyn are also eligible to apply for the youth grants.

"It's a matter of putting the skills and the financial resources directly in their hands and letting them create change on their terms," Usher said.

The grants are part of the crooner's nonprofit New Look that expands his Power by Service project.

The singer is also working with younsters in Atlanta, Detroit, New Orleans, Milwaukee and Los Angeles, and plans to expand his new program to all major U.S. cities. Usher has pledged $1 million to the youth grant project.

Two boys in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx are using a $500 grant to build skateboards for 18 teens who've promised to help the duo plant trees in a nearby community garden.

"It is our world and we have to take care of it," said Kendrick Martinez, 14, a Grace Dodge Career and Technical Education High School sophomore and the co-founder of Eco Riders. His partner, Victor Davila, 15, said they picked skateboards as their Usher-funded project because they want more Bronx teens to learn the sport. "Not a lot of kids have cars, so skateboards is an alternative way to travel," Davila said.

Nyea Garner, 16, a junior at Harlem Village Academy charter school, received her grant on Dec. 10 and enlisted two schoolmates to help her create a talent show called Evolutionary Movement, starring her neighbors. The East Harlem teen said she will send cash from her tickets sales to Ethiopia to help battle the epidemic of childhood malaria in the African nation. "I am very excited," Garner said. "One person can make a change, but even a bigger group can make a bigger change."

Youngsters in the city, ages 12 to 20, can apply for the grants by going to www.ushersnewlook.org. or www.poweredbyservice.org. The next application deadline is Jan. 18. simonew@nydailynews.com

Preparing for the holiday season?  Here are some wasy to give Powered By Service gifts and give back.

Limited Edition Armani Dog Tags:  Limited Edition Armani Dog Tags are now available on Usher's New Look Store.  These are perfect for the holidays coming up and 100% of the proceeds benefit Usher's New Look.  Click here to purchase your Armani Dog Tags.

Powered By Service FlipCams:Usher's New Look has partnered with Flip Video to create a new line of custom made flip cameras.  Powered By Service Flips are now available to purchase through the Flip for Good Store where every camera sold $10.00 is donated to Powered By Service.  Click here to purchase your FlipCam today!

Cartier Love Bracelet:  Usher Raymond IV partnered with Cartier to create Usher's New Look's LOVE Bracelet jewelry line.  Since the Cartier LOVE Bracelet was introduced more than 30 years ago, it has become one of the most coveted jewelry designs in the world and the ultimate symbol of love.  New Look's LOVE bracelet is available in 36 Cartier boutiques across the U.S. and Canada.  To order your LOVE bracelet today, please visit www.love.cartier.com or call 1.800.CARTIER.

Give the Ultimate Gift this Holiday Season:  Make a donation on ammado to Powered By Service and the "What's Your POWER Fund"!

As you gear up for the holidays you will undoubtedly see Red Cross Santa Clauses trying to raise funds for less fortunate people, and Toy For Tots striving to create Christmas for families that have encountered misfortune during the holiday season. 

How would you like to create your own service project to not only benefit those that cannot enjoy the holiday season as it was intended, but also keep this project ongoing into 2010?  Well, here is your opportunity!  Powered By Service is releasing a new set of $500 grants especially for the holiday season.  There is a limited supply of free money so start your application today!  See www.poweredbyservice.org for details on how to apply.  

Another way to help support the Powered By Service movement is to donate, anything as little as a dollar goes towards maintaining this unique youth inspired and led campaign.  'Tis the season for giving; simply click on the DONATE NOW button on this ammado community or add our giving widget to your blog, website or social networking page!  Click on GET GIVING WIDGET on this ammado community. 

Lots of ways to give and share Powered By Service in the holiday season.