Community Service

I have long been an advocate for community service. Even just one individual can make a difference. Though their impact will not be significant, it at least shows they care about their community. I have tried many things to help my community in the past.

I have made a social media video campaign aimed at destigmatizing homelessness, I worked with college administration to put a Sociology of Community Involvement class on the books where students had to do community service as part of their course, I volunteered at community centers; homeless shelters; various projects across town, such as the starter box project. I say this not as an attempt to bolster myself, but as a lead into a question. “What could be done to encourage you to join this cause?”. The only way significant change will occur is if everyone throws their hat into the pile. If everyone donates even one hour of their time a week, that is more than enough to produce substantial results. If even one in three hundred people across the United States does this, that would produce 1,000,000 hours of community service.

Our communities won’t be fixed by wishing them to be fixed; our communities will be fixed by us taking responsibility for what they become, both now and in the future. I understand that finding the time can be difficult, but it is worth it if you are willing. Please, I implore you, try your best to find the time, even one hour a month could provide change. Besides, who knows, you may end up enjoying it depending on who you surround yourself with.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and please answer the question, “What could be done to encourage you to join this cause?” — thank you.