They would learn to appreciate democracy as a social compact in which the members of society mutually care for each other, their community, and their nation. Youngsters would become empowered contributors along with adults in improving their community and nation. The experiences of students who are involved in service learning programs benefit the school, community, and young people. Service learning helps to build community support for education. When programs are developed collaboratively by the community and the school, citizens begin to see that schools are responsive to the needs of the community, and a sense of community ownership and pride are nurtured.
Service learning also facilitates a closer bond between school, community, and home.
Through community projects, parents are more easily drawn into the educational process. Community service provides an easily accessible forum which serves to encourage parental involvement in the education of their children. Parents who often feel alienated from the normal academic routine of school find a more comfortable common ground upon which they can become involved. As a result, parents become part of the educational process and begin to share accountability for their children's education along with the school, thus strengthening the educational process. Further, the community is benefited by service learning because students are endowed with a sense of civic efficacy, the attitude that they should, can, and will have an impact on civic affairs.