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. 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.