Environment
More Project Possibilities
Our starting point for a national checklist of projects grew quite simply from an individual collecting projects into a spreadsheet that was gradually organized by topic as it grew. It was further organized on this website with videos and links to organizations. The intention is toward a flexible model that receives outstanding projects for dissemination, and tweaking details as well as major shifts become apparent. It is truly intended to be of the people, by the people, and for the people.
The models below, as the other topics, are representative examples and possibilities for consideration and connection with others in this needful area of challenge.
Environment Topic Areas:
- Recycling
- Schools
- Food
- Christmas Trees
- Crayons
- Toothbrushes
- Bicycles
- Mattresses
- Clothing/Textiles
- Technology
- Building Materials
- Larger Scope
- Industry Innovation
- Nature
- Water
- Trees
- Gardens
- Living Walls/Rooftop Gardens
- Night Sky
- Volunteering
Food
More Project Possibilities
For many of us, shining the light on this particular community need may reveal a problem that we didn’t see in its entirety. Becoming educated about a problem can at first seem daunting. The silver lining is that others have already been problem solving. They are the social entrepreneurs who having been among us, doing this work, and they are anxious for us to join them. They are there to help us realize the mega solution.
Food Topic Areas:
Global Sister City: Fourth Grade
More Project Possibilities
The social entrepreneurs for global service work often dedicate their entire lives to their chosen work. Sometimes they come from other countries and settle in a location of need, developing a non-profit and redirecting their financial resources toward this change of life direction. Sometimes education offers opportunity for a student to return to their home community to create change. In all cases, these social entrepreneurs are an inspiration for us all.
We have learned that finding these trustworthy partners who live, work, and know the communities that can become our sister cities are essential for navigating local customs and processes. Raising funds is often the best way to bridge the distance between us.
As we become educated through projects below which address needs often unfamiliar to our lives we can become partners in these transformations, networking connections to solutions that promote the bonds of peace and prosperity.
Global Sister City Topic Areas:
- Health
- Education
- Employment
- Human Rights
- Building Peace
- Environmental Preservation
Disabilities
Shelter
More Project Possibilities
Service projects under the topic shelter address items that are typically found in a home, things like clothing and beds, or if living on the street, access to food, storage, and personal hygiene. The details we may take for granted have become the substance of projects that help others in need in ways we may not have considered.
As a community member or older student we will self-educate at first. We may look at the list below which covers needs others found in their community and know it is also a need in our community. We may instead wonder if there is a homeless shelter in our community.
Service learning will be educating our youth that conversation with the staff of our non-profits is essential to building projects of value and establishing relationships. Our community based organizations are often desperate for our involvement. Their time is so needed for the populations they serve and yet they need to take time to create fund raisers to support their work and our awareness that they exist. This service initiative gives them ongoing engagement and connection to community members for support.
As our children work in year long service areas with staff of these organizations they will come to know the staff and the needs in this area in their community. By second grade, our youth will already have developed an educated vision of their community and how things work – who to contact, what is needed, considerations to keep in mind. The idea that we turn to these young children for information, that we turn to them as leaders in this area for the community, will begin to make sense from many vantage points. When we have an interest or idea, they become the communicators with the shelter because they have an ongoing monthly dialogue with shelter staff. Whenever we engage or disengage in project work, they need this information to update the community checklist under shelter.
Shelter Topic Areas:
Outreach
More Project Possibilities
In the models below the range of possibilities is quite wide, touching upon many needs and solutions. Some of the models are simple; others are complex. Some are urban; others are not, although perhaps worthy of consideration in our communities. The mix is educational for all of us, and most importantly, for our youth as they learn about their world.
Outreach Topic Areas:
Animals
More Project Possibilities
The project possibilities below were created by people who were moved to create solutions for more needs in their community or in their individual lives. As older students or adult community members choose and engage in project replication or development, it is important to remember that Kindergarten is the class representing animals in our service work. Any additional projects need to be shared with the kindergarteners. This is how a community checklist develops. This is how we begin to coordinate at the community and also the national level. This is how we validate the role our youth play in service work topics K – 6th grade. This is how we never forget that this is what they do. This is how they learn about their world and their place in it.
So when you choose one of these projects, let the kindergarten class in your community know and give them updates. If your local school is not involved in this work, ask them why not! This is another way to get ourselves on the same page.
Animal Topic Areas:
A National Service Initiative - Starting in Kindergarten 