Those who receive service find dignity in acknowledgement of their needs. Those receiving service have much of value to give to those providing service. Client groups such as senior citizens, disabled people, refugees, homeless and hungry people have essentially the same needs for acceptance, positive involvement and improved self-concept as young volunteers. Both groups can contribute to each other, sometimes with equal exchanges of service as when disabled adults tutor young people who in turn can perform household chores, write letters amd run errands. In this case, both parties gain from close, caring human contact.
Agencies receive an infusion of creativity and enthusiasm from participating youth.
The ability of public agencies to meet human needs is enhanced through service-learning. In exchange for an expanded volunteer staff, they provide supervision. Agencies that join together to address issues of mutual concern build stronger cooperative networks. Young volunteers can infuse even large organizations with a vital dose of enthusiasm and creativity. Experiences of mutually addressing common needs build commitment to the I human community in the largest sense of I the word.