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Introduction
Everyone wants to be part of something bigger. Going outside of ourselves gives us purpose and hope, and causes us to live for something greater than just our personal plans and agenda. One of these ways is through community service.
What is the importance of community service in our society? What are its benefits to the volunteer and to the place being served? These are the questions the author of this sample essay reflects on.
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The Beauty of Serving the Global and Local Community
There is something about volunteer work that fuels purpose. There is nothing like taking time off from our busy and often distracted lives to focus on helping out those who need our skills and gifts. Performing community service is a fun yet fulfilling endeavor, especially for those who intentionally chose to do it. We can get a headstart on community service work even as high school students, as there are programs that specifically look for young people to help do the work.
I can clearly remember my first experience in volunteer work. I signed up for a program that helps run a soup kitchen every weekend for homeless kids in our local town. At first, I was nervous because I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t also know how to talk to homeless kids and was afraid that I would say something insensitive or wrong. Finally, I haven’t had a lot of experience in the kitchen so I was afraid of making a mess.
Our program head Alyssa was very encouraging. As it turned out, I wasn’t the only person who was volunteering for the first time. I was with two other new volunteers, Adam and Bethany. The three of us were partnered with more seasoned teammates who took us through the process and cheered us on as we did our first few shifts at the soup kitchen. As I served the kids, the nerves dissipated. The smiles on their faces as they received their first meals of the day lifted my spirits. It made me want to come back to help feed them every weekend and even bring along a few of my other friends to come and join the team.
Community service is so important because it helps address the specific needs of target groups in society. From the elderly and the sick to the hungry and lonely, there are various community service projects in place, just waiting for more volunteers to help with the heavy lifting. Not only does it help the people in need, but it also provides opportunities for more fortunate members of society to be active participants in social change. As they are able to utilize the strengths and connections to help alleviate an area of need, they also experience a shift in perspective as they practice empathy and learn about what’s happening outside their bubble.
Whether it’s volunteering in your locality or somewhere across the globe, doing so gives you access to a host of experiences that will enrich your life. It will equip you with new skills and even insights about yourself, which you could apply in school or in future employment opportunities. Truth be told, it would even look good on your college application as it shows the judging panel the breadth of your exposure to the world and the level of your social awareness. It even improves your career prospects because plenty of employers put a premium on life experience and extracurricular activities.
There is no time limit to how often you can volunteer.
Benefits of Community Service
What are the key advantages of community services? How does this add value for those involved? Here are five different benefits of getting involved in helping your locality.
You find avenues to apply your gifts, strengths, and connections
There is no better platform to offer your best than in a volunteer setting. Getting involved in a community service activity requires you to bring the best of your skills so that you can make a quality contribution to the work being done. Whether it’s building houses, painting, writing, performing, or even just listening, there are a lot of projects going on that would really benefit from our area of expertise.
You learn something new about yourself and acquire new skills
There is nothing like being thrown outside your comfort zone to put you in the perfect position for personal growth. While you do practice your strengths in this setting, you also get the opportunity to gain new capabilities. Oftentimes these projects are undermanned, so there will be several days where you will be called to do the work of two people. You may also be asked to try your hand at something unfamiliar. If you are open and teachable, you just may realize that you’ve had a hidden gift waiting to be revealed all this time.
You build meaningful relationships that can last a long time
When people come together and collaborate for a shared purpose and passion, a unique bond can form. Like-minded people tend to say in the same circle for a long period of time. They will keep in touch after a project ends and share opportunities to volunteer again and team up. Not only do you get to team up with people who share your interests and skills, but you also gain friends you may just keep for life.
You learn empathy and experience radical perspective shifts
When you are able to experience something that you don’t normally encounter in your daily rhythm, something changes in you. You start learning to see the world through the eyes of the people you are helping. You slowly learn how to empathize by putting yourself in their position and asking yourself how you would fare. Most workers realize, at the end of the project, how blessed they are and how much they actually take for granted. They walk away with the resolution to live simpler lives and rework their priorities to what ultimately will matter long-term.
You encourage other people to step out and get involved
Armed with the knowledge you now have as a result of getting involved in the local community, you re-enter your circle with a passion to mobilize other people to also contribute. You start identifying people in your network with specific skill sets needed by the target group and encouraging them to put these skills to good use. You share your volunteerism story with everyone you meet, hoping that it will inspire them to get their feet wet in community service.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that volunteer work is important in today’s world because it shows us what really matters and exposes our current priorities. It deepens our understanding of different types of people and gets us involved in bettering the future of our communities. It reminds us not to waste time on things that don’t really make an impact and focus our energies on activities that entail some sort of service.
I will always remember my first stint as a volunteer. Not only did it open my eyes to some of the harsh realities people face in this life, but it also helped me figure out what I want to do in the long term. Because of my service hours in the soup kitchen, I’ve decided to pursue a degree in Social Work and one day set up a non-profit organization dedicated to helping homeless children and their families. I am grateful that I had access to this kind of experience this early because now I can really manage my priorities and make a commitment to pursue this specific goal in the years to come.