One of the primary aspects of a successful service learning project is that it meets a known need in the community. This component moves the experience from the abstract and theoretical to actual, real-world problem solving.How might this impact the students involved? The reality is that solving real-world problems impacts students in many ways, but for today, I want to focus on one word: empowerment.
When students see the real-world impact of their own ideas and effort, they are increasingly empowered to participate in their communities and make successful, effective decisions in their own lives. This impact moves across all student demographics and has a positive, measurable correlation with school attendance, grades, high school graduation, and overall life readiness.
Research indicates that:
"By involving youth in collaboration and dialogue, so as to assess the community needs and capacities, and decide jointly on actions that might solve identified problems, youth can take leadership and effect change. This is the basis of capacity-building in communities."
Click here for details on the research associated with the statement.
Across the nation, our youth are learning that they can made significant changes that impact their communities and themselves. Here is a phenomenal example:
Beard Alternative School, Syracuse, New York
Service-learning afforded at-risk youth attending the Beard Alternative School with the opportunity to address important community issues such as hunger, domestic violence, the criminal justice system, racism and gender issues. In partnership with the Center for Community Alternatives, students worked with Communities United to Rebuild Neighborhoods - a grassroots community group - to construct and maintain a flower and vegetable garden on the city's southwest side. The students also published a bi-annual student newspaper (Beard News) that dealt with topics relevant to their lives. In addition to their service projects, students participated in classroom learning experiences that drew upon their volunteer activities. Linking education with community experiences increased students' participation and overall commitment to school, and offered a useful tool to help them transition to the world of work.
Our focus at The Weave A Dream Project is to weave stronger communities one dream, one solution at a time. Empowering our youth is a great first step.
