Service Learning In the Northwest Region

• "High school students collect hundreds of pounds of food for local food bank."
• "Junior high students devote hours each week to tutoring and mentoring younger students."
• "Through solid waste audit, service learning students save local businesses thousands."
• "Teens connect disabled individuals with pet friends."
• "Flower boxes built and filled by local students for nursing home residents. Old and young celebrate together."

These hypothetical newspaper headlines--based on actual events--are just a sampling of the thousands of service activities American youth dedicate themselves to every day. Young people are making a positive impact in many ways in their schools and communities. Through their service they are changing their perceptions of the world and the world's perceptions of them. Service learning represents the best efforts of the nation's youth. These activities on behalf of the needy, the disabled, the elderly, the very young, and the environment are powerful evidence that the apathy and violence reported in the news are not the whole story.

This document's URL is:

© 2001 Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory

Date of Last Update: 09/19/2001
Email Webmaster
Tel. 503.275.9500