Community services create a safety net that sustains communities. From medical clinics to mental health counseling, these initiatives provide support and connect people.
They can take many forms, from cleaning up parks to providing food for the homeless. Many schools and churches promote community service, and it is often part of a student’s curriculum or class requirement.
1. It Gives You a Sense of Community
Community service is one of the best ways to give back to society. It helps make your local area a safer, cleaner and more prosperous place to live. Whether you are passing out food at the local soup kitchen, collecting used clothes to donate or even helping put together first aid kits for homeless shelters, your efforts will have a significant impact on your local community.
Many people who engage in community services find that it improves their mental health and sense of well-being, and may even reduce feelings of loneliness or sadness. It also fosters compassion, empathy and a deeper understanding of societal issues.
In fact, some community organizations specifically recruit volunteers to help them with their mission to help those in need. It is for this reason that some scholarships even require community service experience to be eligible. It’s also why many students who are considering a career change choose to participate in community service activities before they take the leap.
2. It Helps You Make Friends
Community service is a great way to meet people. It also helps you make friends who share your interests and values. Having new friends is important for your mental and emotional health.
Especially in this age of screen-obsessed youth, it can be difficult to connect with peers. Volunteering can help you form close bonds with other kids your own age. Having these relationships can help you avoid unhealthy choices like drugs or alcohol.
You can find opportunities for community service through your school, places of worship, or other groups that you belong to. There are also community service clubs that can make it easier for you to get involved. You can also search for opportunities on your own, such as visiting a local animal shelter or helping with a fundraiser.
3. It Gives You a Chance to Learn
Community service gives students the opportunity to learn through real-world experience, making it more impactful than a classroom lesson. If a student is interested in recycling, for instance, they can volunteer to pick up trash from the neighborhood and see the results of their work firsthand. They can also volunteer during an election to understand how a democracy works or collect coats for the homeless to show they care about people who may not have enough warmth in the winter.
A career in community services also provides the chance to develop skills for a lifetime. For example, training programs include lessons on effective communication and empathy, helping professionals build strong relationships with the individuals they serve. They also learn about diversity and cultural competence, preparing them to support individuals from all backgrounds and situations. In addition, they have a direct impact on the community they serve, leaving a lasting legacy of change. This is especially important when you consider that community service helps individuals, families, and entire neighborhoods.
4. It Gives You Experience
When you volunteer, you’re putting your skills to work in the real world. It’s an opportunity to practice important life skills like organization, planning, problem-solving, and teamwork that are valued by employers and colleges alike.
It can also help you learn about different careers that you may be interested in pursuing. For example, you can volunteer at an animal shelter if you want to become a veterinarian or a museum if you’re thinking about going into history. This way, you’ll get to try out a career before making a long-term commitment.
Volunteering makes you closer to your community, giving you a better understanding of the needs of families and individuals in it. It can even act as a safety net, helping youth avoid traveling down less-savory paths in low-income communities that have experienced an increase in violence. When you combine learning with service, it improves your ability to serve and change the world. It teaches you to be open-minded and principled in a global community, which is what we all need.