Over the years, I have been involved in several community service projects and several service learning projects. Service learning projects were always my favorites because the youth developed the projects from infancy. They watched it grow and they learned so much from each project. I’ll share some of my favorites with you later, but first – What has been your favorite CSL project and why?
This past year was my first year as a TOP facilitator, facilitating at three schools. The CSL projects were always my favorite part of TOP and combined my schools finished over twenty different projects. Of the projects completed, my favorite was when the students at Jay High School decided they wanted to work with My Father’s Arrow’s, an organization that helps local foster children and families. Students assisted with painting, organization, cleaning and setting up electronics on the property. It was great to see all the hard work the students put into helping this organization. The most rewarding part was when the students independently signed up to be an active volunteer with My Father’s Arrow’s. I know without the Teen Outreach Program, these students would not have been afforded the experience that will last them a lifetime.
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Ashlee, how wonderful that your students want to continue to serve at My Father’s Arrows! I agree that service learning can expose youth to opportunities for service for the rest of their lives. Thank you so much for sharing and all you do with the youth in your community.
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It is difficult for me to select a favorite CSL project, each one was so unique and brought its own rewards and challenges. However, I can attest to the fact that the most successful community service learning projects were the ones that were completely youth driven. In contrasting reflection comments that youth made, I think the “Coin War” for the homeless, “A Day With K” (kindergarten peer Ed), and “Adopt a Grandfriend” yielded the highest Sense of Purpose” ratings.
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Thank you, Leslie, I appreciate your insight and all of your efforts to incorporate service learning into the classroom. I find it especially encouraging that so many of your students were touched by the project that served senior citizens.
One of my favorite projects was a prom for senior citizens in a nursing home. I’ll never forget the lady who was crowned the prom queen by the students – she broke down in tears, saying that she had never won anything before in her life. The project made a positive impact on both students and seniors.
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