Faculty • Students • Community • Publications
Culminating Projects • PeaceJam Northwest

1. What Is Service Learning?
2. Why Should I Care?
3. What Have Other Young People Done?
4. Who Can Help You Make a Difference?
5. Resources and Support

Why Should I Care?

Young people have a wealth of energy, enthusiasm, insight, and creativity to contribute to their communities. However, the media has reinforced negative stereotypes, and society assumes that younger people are apathetic and just don't care about the issues facing their communities and the nation.

Young people don't often receive enough support (i.e., transportation) when they do have the desire to join community activities, and they may find themselves asking, "Why should I care?"

The following is a list of reasons developed by young people about being active in the community.

• (Being involved) makes kids feel special--full of pride. It also makes grown-ups feel good when they work with children.
• It helps learning become more interesting because you actually get to use it.
• If you get kids involved now in doing good things for the earth, seven generations from now the world will be a better place. To quote student Josh Keats Sall: "Then in seven generations, we won't have to wear gas masks."
• What's wrong with doing a favor for the world? If you think about it, only half of the people are working for community service. What if EVERYONE was working on community service...It's a good thought, isn't it?
• You will set an example for other people to start helping each other.
• You will help break stereotypes between young people and adults. When you tell one of your friends that kids/adults are (usually, almost always) great to work with, then they'll say, "Oh, maybe I'll try working with them," and it will catch on.
• Being active in the community can help with college applications, job applications and/or your resumé. It can connect you to people or situations that lead to friendships, jobs, internships, and a whole new view of your community.
• You will live longer by being active (medical studies have proven this). It releases "power-morphins" -- it gives a natural high!!
• It beats sleeping in, watching television, or pulling lint out of your belly button.
• Help save the world -- care for it.

1. What Is Service Learning?
2. Why Should I Care?
3. What Have Other Young People Done?
4. Who Can Help You Make a Difference?
5. Resources and Support