"I must get supplies for next week's art project. I forgot to call Irene's mom about the field trip on Friday. I have a new staff member starting tomorrow, and the cafeteria and gym are closed to us next week due to the Science Fair....What is this about Community Service?! With all the responsibility of running a school-age care program, how can I find time to coordinate a community service project?"

The answer is simple. Let the children in your program create their own service project. Children of all ages can participate in community service. It's just your level of coordination and participation that changes based on the ages and interests of the children. For example, younger children may need more assistance in planning and carrying out their project, while older students may only need facilitation and are able to do the rest on their own.

Start by asking the children what interests them. Perhaps they are concerned about animals, government, housing, special needs, senior citizens, safety, health or environmental issues. Now that you know what their interests are, do they match a need in your community? You may identify a need very close to home; for example, the children may want to beautify the grounds where your program meets. Or the children may be interested in global issues, and want to provide care packages for children in a war-torn country. Once you have found a match, just follow these simple steps:

• Ask for Permission and Assistance--Make sure that the recipients of your service want your help, and the help you want to provide is the help that is needed. Ask them to join your team.
• Enlist Others to Help--Invite people to join you who share your interests, and include family, friends, schoolmates, and neighbors. Include youth of different ages and abilities.
• Make a Project Plan--Define your goals for the service project, develop a time-line listing meeting and work dates, assign specific tasks to team members, list the resources needed to complete the project, and review the plan. Is this plan realistic?
• Collect Resources--If your project requires materials that cost money, you will need to raise funds or obtain a sponsor. Fundraising ideas include organizing a bake sale, car wash, or auction of donated items. Ask local civic organizations, merchants, or other agencies for funding or donated materials. Be specific about what your project needs and how the community will benefit.
• Make the Announcement--Tell everyone in your community the details of your service project. Create and distribute fliers and press releases to local media. Make presentations to local civic groups, churches, schools, etc. Include sponsor's names, the type of project, and who the project serves, along with a contact person to provide more information.
• Get to Work--Implement your plan, making necessary adjustments along the way. If yours is a one-time project, make sure all work is complete before team members leave. If your project is on-going, remind the team of the next work day and any preparations to make beforehand. Be sure to record the progress of your project with videotape, journal entries, or photographs.
• Reflect and Evaluate--How did it go? Did you accomplish your goals? What would you change? Allow time for team members to process what they learned, write a story or newspaper article, draw a picture, or sing a song. It is important to celebrate your success. Now what is your next community service project going to be?

  Not only will these types of projects make an immediate difference in your community; the long-range benefits for youth can be great. Children are empowered when they see the changes they make in their world. They learn the benefits of working as a team and experience the satisfaction of helping others. Many children think that they can continue to change the world, and with your help they can.

  Resources

  National Peer Helping Network, Inc.-free newsletter 1-800-646-4623

  The Kid's Guide to Service Projects by Barbara A. Lewis

  Corporation for National Service, 1201 New York Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20525; (202)606-5000. Information on service learning projects and state directors for youth service.

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