Whether it’s redesigning a children’s playground, knitting scarves for the homeless or cleaning up a park, community service projects are a fruitful way to bring about positive change.
Why community service counts
Many schools have made it their mission to include community service projects in their curriculum. Here are a few reasons why we believe student volunteers is beneficial.
- Teaches students about social responsibility
- Helps them develop leadership skills
- Aids in self-discovery
- Brings people together
- Serves as a learning experience
- Exposes students to multiculturalism and diversity
- Improves the community
- Helps students during their university application
- Gives a spark of hope and joy to those in need
Examples of community service projects
If your group is currently thinking of creative ways to give back to the community, then you’ve come to the right place.
Below are great examples of community service projects.
1. Work in an animal shelter
One of the many ideas for community service projects is volunteering at your local animal shelter. It’s one place that will always need a helping hand, whether it’s to clean cages, walk the dogs or decorate the waiting room for the holidays. Some even need supplies to care for their furry companions while they await adoption.
Get in touch with your local animal shelter to find out what they need. From here, assemble your team and start a schedule that works for everyone.
2. Conduct a seminar for fellow students
An excellent way to be of service to your community is by sharing your talent. Whether it’s in the area of finance, business, arts or music, it’s one of the most rewarding experiences to know that people are learning from you.
Organize a seminar for younger students that will tackle a single skill and how to develop them. You can ask your school if you can use a room or even your school court to gather everybody around. It will also help if you have a thought leader in the industry that will come in a special guest speaker.
3. Spend time with the elderly
Far too many elderly have spent years alone and waiting in retirement homes. Many of them do not have visitors, which is why depression among retired senior citizens is tragically familiar.
As part of your community service, organize a day program for them where you can bring them food, share with them an entertaining performance or even bring them letters of appreciation to read. Just a stroll down a park can make all the difference.
4. Volunteer at a soup kitchen
Like many shelters, plenty of soup kitchens is always on the lookout for volunteers. There are too many homeless and hungry people who are in a constant state of despair, and a small gesture of reaching out with a plate of warm food can spark hope in them.
Get in touch with your local community to see how you can join and help. If everything is filled up, you can always organize your soup kitchen with your fellow volunteers.
