Individual Improvement of Society
Community Service for Teens
Many schools have come to the conclusion of deciding to make community service a graduation requirement. This idea is thoroughly well-intentioned and grasps the fact that many in the country want to improve the value of today 's youth by instilling in them a bone of charity and self-sacrifice for the betterment of society. It is true that if we all thought this way, America would be much easier to live in and would reduce the polarization of the two political parties. However, forcing children to perform community service is a sort of affirmative action, well intentioned, but counterproductive. The issue with this is that one cannot force someone to be charitable. It
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While I was in Washington D.C. two weeks ago, I approached a homeless man. I sat down next to him, asked him how he was, and he said he was doing alright. I then offered him a bottle of water and a granola bar, which he thanked me for. After this I asked him if I could pray for him. I do not know if he believed in God, but after I prayed for him and thanked God for his life and the value to his life, he said "Amen." This shows that he and I were on the same page with that prayer. I do not know if he even remembers my approach, but the idea is that if he did, it could change his life forever. You never know what impact your words will have. Ten years from now, that same homeless man could be a thriving businessman and still remember that prayer. There is no way of telling, but all we 're called to do is try. Praying for people means a lot, and within the prayer you don 't even have to mention their condition and draw attention to it, it can just be a casual prayer that you would say in the presence of your youth group or friends. This makes the homeless remember that they are humans like all of us, it reminds them of their value that does not decrease because they are homeless. Another reason to pray is because the only one who can fix the issue of homelessness completely is the one whom you 're praying …show more content…
Talking to people and learning about their lives in general is a highly valued thing, it connects people and makes others realize that someone cares about their life on a deeper level. The homeless are some of the people in this country who needs that the most. In choosing a form of community service, I believe speaking to and praying with the homeless is the most effective, and therefore my top choice in community service. There are others in this world who need those same words and attention that aren 't necessarily living on the streets, but it is often smart to start at the very bottom. In the end, however, it doesn 't necessarily matter who you speak to and give your attention to because no matter who it is, it will hopefully create a chain reaction when the person you believed in will soon believe in someone else. It is the idea of being the change you wish to see in the world. Sadly, we cannot force people to change the world, those values are instilled by our parents, teachers, and authority figures, not graduation
Society has helped the homeless by donating clothes, sending food, and making shelters for them. Even schools have fundraisers for the homeless people in their local area. One example is the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness, the website shows statistics about hunger, poverty and homelessness. It also shows how we can step up and help the homeless. “Just in Minnesota alone there are hundreds of shelters for the homeless.”
If schools wanted to encourage community service then they shouldn’t force students to do it. Schools should let students know about volunteering opportunities and possibly let them sign up for the school so that it is easier for them to do so if they want
This is why I have worked at a local homeless shelter for the past two years. I feel like I can do the same thing -- help a person or two merely on the basis of our shared humanity. I enjoy paying back some of the help society has given me. I teach a computer class at the shelter, but everyone gets free therapy on the side. Most of those people aren't different in some essential way from the homed or those who have jobs, but life has often dealt them a losing hand to begin with. I tell them that I also had a losing hand, but I never gave up hope. Often, hope is all I had -- but it was enough to keep me pressing onward.
When people see a homeless person they probably try to walk the other way to avoid being asked for money. Many people don't think about the homeless; they just think about how to avoid them. People think "that doesn't affect me," but it does. Homelessness affects more than just the people suffering from it. Not many people know how much money they are actually giving to homeless shelters. Helping the homeless is a big deal and should be dealt with, but not with the way the government is handling it. The government throws an enormous amount of money around and builds a few rickety buildings and thinks this solves the problem, but it doesn't. Putting money into something that doesn't work is no way to solve a problem. There is approximately 3.5 million homeless people in the US ("Overview of Homelessness"). Americans are responsible for all of these people whether they know it or not ("Homeless Stats"). The government should be spending money to help the homeless become productive citizens, instead of on shelters that serve only as a temporary, ineffective fix.
Homeless individuals are known for taking hand outs and they prefer to plead for money rather than to go work for it. People assume most of the the money that is given to homeless people they spend it on drugs and alcohol because of the fact that many homeless people have drug and alcohol addictions. It is not uncommon to come across homeless youth and older homeless population that are known to abuse substances like drugs and alcohol. Because of the fact that homeless people have substance abuse problems, they tend face illnesses and infections. Many hard working Americans ask themselves “why don’t homeless people just get jobs?” The assumption is they are just lazy and unmotivated. Homeless people choose to live the life they live. Everyone goes through problems but not all people take the path homeless people do. The problems homeless people face is not an excuse for them to be helped and maintained by other hard working people. Although homelessness might be a choice to some, no one knows the hardships these people have gone through. Some assume these people are just lazy but in reality a lot of these homeless people have jobs of their own, they just can’t afford housing and a decent life. Everyone has their own opinion on homeless people, but that does not change the fact that one should still serve the homeless. Not because homeless people need help but because we are
.... The homeless community is a growing problem that only worsens with time. If we don’t make an effort now, to help the most vulnerable among us, then we are only contributing to this problem. With our unsure economy, nothing is guaranteed, so just be considerate for others who are in an inferior situation, because who knows when you might need a hand.
We must do whatever we can to help the homeless. It is really easy to do so. We can volunteer at a shelter, we can protest to the government; we can donate money or clothes. It is such a shame to just sit back an watch them struggling to survive in a cruel world.
When a homeless person tries to talk to a person the largest response that I have seen is ignored. I have witnessed homeless going into fast food establishments and treated very badly. People do not want to sit by or near them. People do not want to see that they exist. But there are those people that want to help. “During National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, student and community groups organize local events designed to educate the public, promote community service, and build campus and community coalitions to end poverty” (National Student, 2012). They see the homeless and do not ignore but embrace that they need
...ome, or they lost their employment, or they fell ill, perhaps a combination of all three that led to a life of homelessness. In the state the world is in today, it is necessary that people should not be quick to judge, but quick to lend a helping hand. The government and volunteer agencies do a lot to help but not all are so fortunate. In one way or another everyone is struggling financially, and if it is not resolved soon, more people than ever might be heading down the path of homelessness. In the meantime it is indispensable to support charities in donations or volunteer some time for the shelters dedicated to those without a home. People should place themselves in the position of a homeless, and see how appreciative one would be for shelter, warm covers and a hot meal in a time of need. For in the long run, the words of the many must echo the words of the few.
Prior to having to deal with having one of the closest, most important people in my life be homeless, I had not given much thought or even consideration to this topic. Most people, myself included, are too quick to judge those who are in these unfortunate circumstances. If only we would take the time to consider their story, and help, what kind of world would we live in ?
Community service is a common service for people to take care of each other and volunteer. People apply to different community services: soup kitchen, taking care of children and homeless people, clinics, churches, schools, neighbor's house and many countless places to volunteer. Some people really enjoy to work at community services while others do not. These community services can be a punishment for criminals because a court assigns them to do so. However, some people do not agree with community service supporters. While some people believe that there should be a community service requirement for high school and college graduation because students need to learn and have experiences there, they are right; on the other hand, a community service requirement should be allowed for two reasons and not be allowed for another three reasons.
People should help the homeless by aiding them with healthcare, housing, and childcare. Homelessness is not a new trend and is growing more everyday. Homeless people should not be different from anyone else when it comes to getting a helping hand.
“To whom much is given, much is expected.” This quote exemplifies my own personal philosophy on community service. Service is the greatest gift one can return to their community. When an individual takes their personal time and effort to help others in need, it helps progress not only the community they live in, but multiple communities ; ultimately promoting unity and teamwork. People gather together to work towards a common goal: building the people and organizations they are directly and indirectly affected by so that the next generation will be stronger than the previous one. Community service is but is not limited to monetary and material donations, housing reinforcement, neighborhood clean ups. It is as simple as holding a toy drive for
Though, the concept of community service is not very new its importance has developed in the past few years. There are thousands of organizations all over the world that engage and hold millions of young people all through the world. People of all age groups, with a maximum number of youth are involved in the process of community service. Community-based organizations include; social service organizations, non-profit providers and associations that engage both young people as well adults as volunteers. The process is beneficial both for the individuals as well as the society. Without community service people would not know the meaning of charity and giving back. Community service can be defined as a service that is performed for the benefit of the public. Community service is not a responsibly or an obligation; it is a commitment. A person must want to do it with good intentions and not because they are being forced to do so. Basically, community service is a way for a person to give back to a community in which they live.
Mandating community service for high school graduation was the best idea anyone could ever invent. Its a very useful, promising, and beneficial experience that every teen should want to be a part of. Volunteering gives people a sense of fulfilment, and the joy of knowing that so many people need help and being able to be that person to render those services make a better person. Community service should not be a burden for any teenager, but a special gift being giving to the community by a special individual. Community service should be a mandatory high school graduation requirement because it builds ones character, limits the rate of teenage delinquency, and establishes a path for a better future as an individual.