Since the program began in the fall of 1993, over 7,500 students have provided over 100,000 hours of service at over 100 community sites in the metropolitan Kansas City area. The positive response of students, instructors, and community members alike affirms the goals of the program and contributes to its long-term success. Student volunteers consistently report increased self-confidence, empowerment, achievement, and a greater understanding of diverse and often unfamiliar segments of the community, frequently expressed in the statement, "I CAN make a difference." Service-learning experiences contribute to students' total, balanced education and to their ability to become informed, lifelong participants in the community.

All participants have much to gain and much to give in this program.

• Students develop intellectual, personal, career, and civic skills and assume a more active role in their education.
• Instructors are often better able to reach and engage an increasingly diverse student population and reenergize their teaching. Colleges form closer ties to the community, thus enabling them to assess community needs and design responsive programs which enhance institutional effectiveness, quality, and accountability.
• Communities are able to expand public education efforts and to develop a pool of skilled, informed volunteers capable of addressing the problems of today and the future.

Beyond the Grade: Service-Learning Experiences Can Help You With Career/Life Decisions and Preparations

Service-Learning experiences will give you opportunities to acquire knowledge and practice skills that are transferable to other situations in your personal, professional, and community life.

Remember to think about what you did and what you learned—about the work you did, about the people you met, about the situations you encountered, and about your own strength, values, and preferences. Use new insights to guide your career and life decisions. Identify and articulate your accomplishments. Just because you didn’t get paycheck doesn’t mean that you can’t lit your achievements on a resume.

You can:

Test career choices: confirm your choices or go in a new direction.

"It gave me the chance to determine if my chosen field suits me."

Apply classroom theory to real-world situations.

"Books cannot duplicate real-life experience."

Experience personal growth (integrity, responsibility, leadership, critical thinking, decision-making) though new challenges and opportunities.

"I discovered me."

Improve interpersonal skills (teamwork, problem solving, written and oral communication, diversity).

"I got a good look at what being a teacher is all about."

Get out of your comfort zone—broaden your background and experience.

"The opportunity to experience, see and learn about other people and their points of view was so valuable."

Learn about different work environments; gain relevant work experience.

"It is a great opportunity to get you prepared for your expected major."

Learn about different work environments; gain relevant work experience.

"It is a great opportunity to get you prepared for your expected major."

Challenge stereotypes and/or assumptions.

"It is showed me and taught a lot about others who aren’t like me…and changed my view of the community."

Develop civic skills and values.

"I’ve learned that we must work together in order to make our communities thrive."