Purpose

Outcomes of Early Service Experience

Increased self-awareness and the ability to make a difference

Students:

• Learn more about themselves and develop confidence;

• Clarify their values;

• Realize their capacity to give and develop patience and compassion;

• Become less materialistic;

• Come to recognize their own privilege;

• Gain a better perspective of their lives;

• Develop skills and interests that lead to career paths;

• Develop and ethic of service which continues through adulthood;

• Develop commitment to the larger community;

• Become more politically aware and develop commitment to act

Increased Awareness of Others

Students:

• Learn about people whose experiences and backgrounds are different from theirs;

• Gain a better understanding of perspectives and diversity;

• Become more open-minded and less judgmental;

• Develop an understanding of themselves in relation to others

Increased Awareness of Social Issues

• Students become aware of social issues;

• Can identify different perspectives;

• Develop a deeper understanding of social justice;

• Have a more complex understanding of the current situations and the need to look for political solutions

• May participate in service abroad and thereby develop a global awareness of poverty, and see themselves connected to others worldwide

Common Experiences of Adults committed to Social Justice

Family Experiences:

• Their families instilled values and modeled service

• They had a family situation that made them feel different from their peers

• They had a broader, more inclusive definition of family

Educational Environment

• Values were both taught and modeled in their schools

• Their classes provided opportunities to explore and discuss their beliefs and obligations to others

• Their schools’ mission included a commitment to service and social justice

• Their schools provided a mentoring environment

Common Service Experiences

• They had extensive service experiences in multiple sites

• They had leadership roles in designing and implementing service projects

• They enjoyed service and participated in service with their friends

• They worked alongside adults committed to social justice

• They had service experiences abroad

• They had a family situation that made them feel different from their peers

• They had a broader, more inclusive definition of family