Volunteerism and Community Service in America Today Essay -- Contributi

â€Å"Volunteers are not paid; not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless.† - Sherry Anderson (Volunteering Quotes: Finest Quotes). Part I: Volunteerism and Community Service in the United States Research shows that when Americans are "properly asked to serve", they serve, says the Corporation for National and Community Service, on their website dedicated to U.S. volunteerism(Volunteering and Civic Life in America 2014). The question, then, is what does "properly asked to serve" consist of. If the government issues a call to all able United States citizens to donate a mere three to five hours a week to a teen-mentoring, child-tutoring, or other volunteer program for the benefit of the country and the good of society, will it happen? Will people, hearing this summons, eagerly and/or obediently sign up at their favorite charity organization for a shift? Will they, with no monetary compensations, social benefits, or employment benefits give of their valuable and potentially dollar-earning time out of the goodness of their hearts and concern for the future well-being of society? Perhaps this isn't what "properly asked to serve" consists of for North Americans. When people do respond to their summons, researchers say, things happen. The mentoring system is supposedly one of the most beneficial of volunteer activities, in terms of reaching "at risk" kids. The Philadelphia Summit on volunteerism that took place in April of 1997 targeted five basic needs of at-risk kids: a relationship with a caring adult, supervised and safe sites for play, marketable skills, a healthy start, and a sense of service. These five criteria, if met, are expected to lower teen pregnancy rates, high school drop-out rates, and the ... ...more fortunate situations share, contribute, and cooperate in the change and development process. Works Cited: Aaker, Jerry. Partners With the Poor. New York: Friendship Press, 1993. "Volunteering and Civic Life in America 2014" Corporation for National and Community Service. Web. 05 May 2015. http://www.volunteeringinamerica.gov/ Chambers, Robert. Rural Development: Putting the Last First. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1993. Clasen, Susan. Vultures & Butterflies: Living the Contradictions. Scottdale: Herald Press, 1992. Coles, Robert. Call of Service: A Witness to Idealism. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1993. "Volunteering Quotes :: Finest Quotes." Source for Famous Quotes, Inspirational Quotes & Sayings :: Finest Quotes. Web. 05 May 2015. "What Is Volunteering." Web. 05 May 2015. http://www.volunteerbristol.org.uk/volunteers