And yet, as educators within systems of education, we all have valid responsibilities that we must honor. We understand that empowerment requires the activities of writing learner goals, handling student problems, copying forms, grading papers, calling lists of parents, or guiding an unruly if inspired group of young volunteers. Amid the busyness, youth service offers its own rewards. Always a challenge. At its heart, youth service is a challenge, an adventure.
Young people understand that.
It is essential that we continue to make sure that the methodologies and technologies of service-learning are well developed and tested, that plans are made and learner goals written. We must do these things to ensure that young lives for which we bear responsibility receive guidance and support. When we ask young people to serve, we ask them to take risks. It is our job to be there for them. Our service is to be there for them.