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Community Service (part 1 of 3) Community Service and Your EducationOur understanding of natural and human-made systems has given us the knowledge that no element of the world lives alone. Our activities whether large or small, have either a direct or indirect impact on every facet of our earth. To live a contributive life is simply to recognize this relationship and to support it. Unfortunately our society does not emphasize community behavior as strongly as it does our individualistic behavior. As a result, our communities lack their fullest potential. Some communities are forgotten, others neglected, some only a fraction of what they can be.Your Community, Your Service Quest students often come from these forgotten and neglected communities. As a low-income/disadvantaged student, your resources are probably already limited and often times, your attention and time are already spread thin across the many challenges you’re facing just to survive. We believe there is a way to be an active part of your community and make community service an integral part of your education. Your experiences within your community shouldn’t be regarded as a setback, but should be used to your advantage. You know what your community lacks and more importantly what it needs and through your own experiences, you are best equipped to offer and enact solutions that cause long-lasting changes. Drawing from Inspiration Community service is based on passion. What are you interested in? What around your community angers you? Disappoints you? Excites you? But most importantly, how can you put these emotions to good use and inspire you to cause change? A successful community service is based on sound knowledge, so look into the classroom as well for inspiration. Has there been a discussion where you felt there were dimensions still left untouched? Did something catch your attention where you said, “Wait a minute, that’s not right.” The meaning of “community” can extend beyond your physical community and can encompass other niches that are important to you. Having a good grasp of the problem is essential. The idea of service-learning is researching who and what exactly it is you are servicing. Before the first acts can be made, the information to justify those acts must be strong and clear. Otherwise, you may just be wasting your time or worse, you may be worsening the situation. Combining your Resources Time is a crucial element to this equation. For all the noble reasons supporting community service, there is a practical side and that is allotting time and energy to do so. That’s why passion plays such a critical factor. If you’re trying to enact change in something that’s close to your heart, you are proactively making your situation better. The returns of your efforts are often direct; while changes may take a long time, you are making a time-worthy investment. Secondly, your passion can also make the experience more enjoyable, knowing that what you’re doing is making a direct impact on what’s important to you. No doubt, as one of the most active students at your school, you have many resources at your disposal. Cut the time it would take for you to enact your own form of community service by being smart about those resources. If you’re a head of an organization, see if you can introduce a new project into your activities. Utilize your organizational skills in developing a structure for your community service project based on good research, and with your leadership skills, draw supporters in order to ensure its success. Your charisma will go far in obtaining adult allies, in winning your interviewers for a much needed grant, and in asking for donations from your local groceries and restaurants to provide food for your project. You’re not drawing time or resources from a vacuum. You already have the requisite skills to realize a project and make it successful. That means, you don’t have to wait until later on to start making an impact. You can start doing it now! Part II: Creating Your Own Outreach Project -->>
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