CIRCLE (the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement) published this article on the Crucial Role for Higher Education in Building Youth Civic Engagement.
Community service and volunteer opportunities are abound for college students. However what do communities benefit from college students civic engagement in their backyards?
I believe that civic engagement programs such as service-learning, participatory action research (PAR), and community-based research (CBR) that gives students meaningful critical service opportunities. Through these learning and research methods students work side by side with community members to address their social issues. By the end of projects both students and community members walk away empowered and with a multitude of skills to be assets to their respected communities.
Here’s what I do know: civic engagement has added value for all stakeholders involved.