<p>When I hear about volunteerism–which always seems to be phrased as the well-off helping those less fortunate–my extremely cynical mother’s voice always echoes in my ear, saying “noblesse oblige.” I would like to see “community service” become exactly that: an opportunity for everyone to work for the common good, including one’s own good, rather than an opportunity to ask kids to condescend to helping the poor or unfortunate.</p>