What is community service? In simple terms, it is an action where an individual or people with common goals band together and work on a project to benefit others. You’ll receive no cash payments for the work, but community service plays a crucial role in developing our society. Many people often volunteer their time for community service in areas where they live.
Some schools make student volunteering a mandatory activity before graduation. And after volunteering at some shelters or other organizations, students get asked to write essays about community service to share their experience. These essays can inspire other students to volunteer or be a part of a community service project.
Are you a student looking to volunteer your time? Here are soem thoughts, benefits, and some project ideas that can inspire you.
Who can Take Part in Community service Projects?
Community service projects aren’t exclusive to students, other members of the community can get in on them as well. Any group of people can organize one, such as non-profit organizations, worship centers, and more. And often, judges might order people to perform community service after they are found guilty of committing a minor crime.
Benefits of Community Service
What does community service teach you? Are there any perks to volunteering your time for the benefit of others? Here are the answers to these questions and more.
Many schools include community service in their curriculum. They understand the importance and role in building a stronger society. Here are some of the benefits of having students practice volunteering.
- It’s an avenue for a college student to gain work and life experience.
- Promotes hope and sparks joy to people in need.
- It’s an excellent way for students to experience other cultures.
- It improves society.
- It can help you discover yourself.
- It’s an excellent tool for developing leadership skills and a sense of social responsibility in students.
Community Service Project Ideas
There are multiple ways you can give back to your community. Here are some project ideas for students.
Volunteer at an Animal Shelter
Animal shelters offer homes to strays and pets without one. It’s a place that’s busy and could always use an extra pair of helping hands. Consider visiting here after school hours, weekends, or during breaks. Work you can take on in shelters includes cleaning cages, feeding the animals, taking them on walks, tidying the area, and more.
Visiting the Elderly
Many seniors spend most of their latter years alone without healthy human interactions. Humans are social beings and retain this trait even when old. As a student looking to improve the well-being of the community, you can take some time to visit the elderly. Consider making meals, appreciation letters, or entertaining presentations to lift their spirits.
Passing Knowledge to Others
Giving back to the community isn’t restricted to rendering physical or financial help. You can also be of service by sharing valuable knowledge. Consider hosting a seminar for younger students, where you tutor them in your strongest subjects. You’ll find fulfillment knowing someone is learning from you.
Your seminar doesn’t have to center on education, it can be a vocational skill, or you sharing and helping others develop their talent in music, arts, and more. The school auditorium, food court, or any other appropriate place on college campus can play host to your seminar. But be sure to check and see if permission is needed.
Inviting a guest speaker is an excellent way to add to your project. This person can be an authority or someone with professional experience in the subject of your seminar.
For example, Maryland has the Maryland Community Services Locator (MDCSL), an interactive online directory designed to connect Maryland residents to needed community services. This tool allows residents and community organizations to search for specific resources using criteria such as location/address, type of service (e.g., food, housing, legal services), population served, and any applicable payment options.
Since its launch in October 2007, MDCSL has expanded to include more than 9,000 criminal justice, health and social service programs across Maryland in 26 different categories. MDCSL is funded by a grant from the Maryland Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention. Each program is verified at least one time per year and community organizations can submit updates at any time that are uploaded within approximately one week.
Final Thoughts
Community service is about helping to improve the community and feeling good about it. Find a passion project that will help others. You can band together for a clean-up session, a visit to the senior housing complex, painting a mural, and more.
