Through the Colorado Listening Campaign, the Governor's Commission is collecting best practices for citizen involvement and is sharing those practices statewide. Solutions included the creation of more youth jobs, more positive activities, and more community-service opportunities. As many young people initially thought of service as something a court mandates, the concept of community service as something one does for altruistic reasons often needed to be defined. Fostering an ethic of service in young people increases the likelihood that they will be community-minded and volunteer as a youth and as an adult. Young people are less likely to be destructive to a community to which they feel connected.
Service can instill a sense of independence and confidence in a young person.
Communities need more citizen leaders. There are plenty of people to volunteer for short periods of time, but few are taking enduring leadership roles. For example, while it is relatively easy to get volunteers to help with a special event, it is difficult to get someone to serve on a community board or lead an essential cause. Communities, particularly those faced with growth, want to maintain their identity, character and quality of life. Growth management is a challenging local issue, making it a prime topic for citizens seeking to get actively engaged in their community.