Service-learning is a huge part of a student’s education as well as their social and emotional learning. However, sometimes service-learning is left behind in schools and is not made a priority. After school programs are a great way to bring back that involvement. After school programs revolving around service-learning are a great way for the students to give back while getting more involved in their community. The University of Minnesota’s Center for Community Engaged-Learning on how service learning benefits students:
- Increase your understanding of the class topic
- Gain hands-on experience (possibly leading to an internship or job later)
- Explore or cement your values and beliefs
- Have opportunities to act on your values and beliefs
- Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Grow your understanding of diverse cultures and communities
- Learn more about social issues and their root causes
- Improve your ability to handle ambiguity and be open to change; become more flexible
- Develop or enhance your skills, especially in the areas of communication, collaboration, and leadership
- Test out your skills, interests, and values in a potential career path, or learn more about a field that interests you
- Connect with professionals and community members who you will learn from
- Grow a professional network of people you might connect with again later for jobs or internships
Schools all across the country have after school programs that involve community service like the Key Club, the Beta Club, Jefferson Club, etc. An excellent example of an after school program that is based on service-learning is Students in Action of the Jefferson Awards Foundation (www.jeffersonawards.org). High schools in the US are participating in Students in Action by creating after school clubs to improve students’ leadership skills while also volunteering to better their community in all different ways.
