What Kids and Teens Learn from Community Service

It's never too early to expose our children to the rich experiences of community service. Instilling ideals such as the responsibility of giving back, being part of a larger community, citizenship, mercy, and sharing our special gifts and talents to make our world a better place helps build character and compassion toward others. But where to begin and how? Annie Wright Schools, from the Seattle Times, shares that there are 5 ways to connect our children to service:

Most children will gravitate toward community needs that strike a chord or relate to concepts discussed at home or in school or even related to something they have seen in their own neighborhoods or towns. Simpler projects for younger children help them begin to make the connections between social issues and ways they can make a positive impact such as food drives or donating old toys and books. For older children and teens utilizing skills and talents such as design work or hands on building and problem solving real life social problems can create a lasting impression on how true service works. 

Fostering empathy and developing creative thinking and problem solving by understanding the goals of local nonprofits can establish why an organization does what it does and its necessity in filling a gap in the needs of our communities As children begin to understand the mission they in turn, understand the road-blocks and obstacles that create those service gaps and how by using their own skills to problem solve and provide hands on work literally contribute to the solution- true citizenship and involvement. 

Instead of insisting on a certain number of hours needed, focus on the impact of the work - what is needed to complete a project? What does it look like to make a measurable difference? This truly fosters learning around what a positive impact looks like and how a child can create change. 

Open the door to questions and discussions around what problems they observe in their community. What solutions do they see? What programs or projects can they directly participate in? What feels important? How does it feel to be part of the solution? 

Spend time together researching important global issues and how they can take direct steps to solve them in their own community. Global Warming? Poverty? Inequality? Homelessness? Protecting the Planet? Which ones pique their interest? Finally, brainstorm how you can take that goal and apply it in your community. 

St. Gabriel's and St. Michael’s continued our commitment to community service by participating in the annual "Archangels Day of Service" last Friday. Our students spent the day in partnership with Upper School students participating in grade level and school-wide projects along with time to reflect on how their service impacts others as well as their own personal growth and development. A big thank you to Mrs. Barb Creed, Lower/Middle School Dean of Students and Director of Service Learning, as well as Dr. Annie Bullock, Upper School Director of Campus Ministry, for coordinating this awesome event!

Check out the amazing experiences our students shared:

In addition, our students learned about four incredible non-profit organizations: Red Arena, Austin Wildlife Rescue Center, Meals on Wheels, and Austin Park Foundation. During the Day of Service bake sale fundraiser, students who purchased baked goods were given a ticket so they could vote for the non-profit they would like to support. It was a great way to empower students to participate in directly impacting their community. 

The Archangels Day of Service has created a perfect opportunity to begin the community service discussion with your family. Ask your children to share what their experience was like and ideas on how your family can become part of the community service commitment to positive change!