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. Participants who share an enhanced l awareness of local needs and issues are likely to expand their participation in efforts to improve the public welfare citizens may experience an increased appreciation of community, of the value of citizenship, and of the responsibility each citizen has to contribute to the benefit of all. The bottom line can be a deepened individual commitment to the commonwealth and a stronger network of cooperating community agencies. Youth service can develop citizenry who are invested in this nation.
Citizenship is a learned behavior, nurtured through involvement.
Service-learning instills in students the value of civic involvement and the belief that each person's participation can make a difference in the community. It develops citizen reciprocity- giving back through volunteer service. As youth contribute through service to the common good, they are seen to be one of the community's greatest resources. Another primary outcome is the development and acceptance of a new way of looking at youth. As increasing numbers of service-oriented youth leaders form a reservoir of committed young volunteer talent, youth come to be seen as valuable in their own right, indeed, as our finest natural resource.