<p>this is why I think that we should “require” community service in schools
I think communities benefit when it is a shared value-, many organizations are run by volunteers, and the community benefits even more when the organization looks like who they serve.</p>
<p>Service learning, which is even required in some of our urban middle schools, opens up kids eyes to careers and opportunities, at a time when their minds are hopefully still open.
Our area has a great many organizations and people who value “giving back”.
I don’t see this as condescending though-and I hope that those they serve dont either.
Although that many of the students that I help, at teh high school,are minority, and lower income than we are- I understand what you are saying about noblesse oblige, but I feel lucky that I can help-and the kids have always been really friendly.</p>
<p>I don’t see it as the well off helping “those in need”, I see it more as doing what needs to be done, without waiting for a govt agency or a for profit business to figure out how to do it.</p>
<p>At least from where I am sitting, the days of the junior league, doing good works in between getting their hair done and tennis lessons, are long gone.</p>
<p>This is from a local paper written for the community, by those who some would probably consider disenfranchised, I dont have the impression that they consider those " who give" back, to be condescending at all.
<a href=“http://www.realchangenews.org/archive3/2005_02_23/current/interview.html[/url]”>http://www.realchangenews.org/archive3/2005_02_23/current/interview.html</a></p>