Links to sources of information about service learning and organizations that provide opportunities for young people to become involved in service activities.

A Student Service Learning Program
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/ssl/
What would a model service learning program consist of? This amazing site gives the entire set of blueprints for the Student Service Learning program of the Montgomery County (Maryland) Public Schools. An indispensable resource!

The GoodCharacter Service Learning Primer
https://www.goodcharacter.com/SERVICE/service.html
An excellent guide on what to do and how to do it.

National Service-Learning Clearinghouse
https://www.servicelearning.org/lsa/
A comprehensive information system that focuses on all dimensions of service-learning, covering kindergarten through higher education, school-based as well as community based initiatives.

Do Something
https://www.dosomething.org/
Very hip and a bit edgy: “DoSomething.org is the country’s largest not-for-profit for young people and social change. DoSomething.org spearheads national campaigns so 13- to 25-year-olds can make an impact – without ever needing money, an adult, or a car.”

Kids Care Clubs
https://www.kidscare.org
Dedicated to developing compassion and the spirit of charity in children. This organization provides children, families, schools, and religious groups with meaningful opportunities to help others in their local and global communities. You can set up an affiliated club in your elementary school.

 

Free The Children
https://www.freethechildren.org/
Want to wipe out child slavery? Want to help poor children in third world countries go to school instead of laboring every day in dangerous, inhumane jobs? Then join this international network of children helping children, founded by (then) twelve year old Craig Kielburger. You’ll be amazed at what you can do.

America’s Second Harvest (formerly, Second Harvest)
https://www.secondharvest.org/index.html
Help end hunger. This is the largest hunger relief organization in the U.S. Their main activity is feeding hungry people by collecting and distributing food, and they could use your help. Come to this website to get involved, or even just to learn about hunger in America.

Habitat for Humanity
https://www.habitat.org/
Wanna build a house? Habitat for Humanity uses volunteer labor and donations of money and materials to build and rehabilitate simple, decent houses for low income families. Thousands of students and young people worldwide are spending school breaks or weekends on Habitat construction sites. Here’s how you can join them.

VolunteerMatch
https://www.volunteermatch.org/
A fabulous website with lots of great information about volunteer work. Includes a powerful online database allowing individuals to find volunteer opportunities by zip code, category, and date.

ServeNet
https://www.servenet.org/
This site is a good place to start for web surfers looking for an opportunity to volunteer. It lets users search a database of service roles to find one that’s right. Click on “resources” for some great volunteer advice for people under 18.

Network for Good
https://www.networkforgood.org/
This nonprofit organization is dedicated to using the Web to help people get more involved in their communities – from volunteering and donating money, to speaking out on issues you care about.

Service-Learning Project Profiles (Wisconsin Dept. of Ed.)
https://sl.dpi.wi.gov/sl_slprpage
A collection of project examples.

School for Ethical Education
https://www.ethicsed.org/programs/bec/ethicalcommunities.htm
Offers assistance, curriculum material, resources, and professional development for educators interested in service-learning. Also, they run a free program throughout Connecticut which teaches kids how to plan and implement a service project, and provides site visits, technical assistance, and follow-up throughout the year.

Learning To Give (k-12)
https://learningtogive.org/
Teaching the importance of voluntary action for the common good in a democratic society. Lesson plans, lesson plans, and much much more.