Explores how service learning is designed to increase knowledge and skills as a means to nurture the talents and abilities of low-income and disadvantaged youth, and improve their neighborhoods and surrounding communities. Successful service-learning programs engage youth in organizing, planning, governing, and decision making while fostering a safe environment to encourage creativity, communication, team work, involvement, and sharing of new ideas. Service learning offers youth opportunities to grow and develop emotionally, personally, and socially, and opens pathways to higher education and civic service. Benefits also include improved academic performance and test scores, coupled with the desire to learn and a greater sense of personal and social responsibility. Formation of a strong work ethic enables young people to have improved self-esteem and relationships with peers, family, teachers, and other external authority figures. It also decreases the likelihood of teen parenthood and drug use. Many opportunities exist to create service-learning organizations through state and federally funded government programs, or through foundations, grants, and private funding. The Federal Youth Court Program, Learning in Deed, National Human Services Assembly, National Collaboration for Youth, and Learn and Serve America illustrate the types of organizations that invest in today’s teens and uplift and encourage them with the hope and anticipation of a brighter future. (IP)
