A common trait that lies within human nature, is the idea of belonging. It is a basic human pursuit to have a feeling of purpose. This concept translates clearly through contributing to society. No matter how small, the impact of helping another person or idea in favor of a greater good has been a basic human instinct throughout history, and increases the feeling of belonging. For example, without the ambition of sacrificial people who contribute their time and safety towards inevitably bettering the lives of people other than themselves, where would we be today? I completely agree with Jonas Salk’s conclusion about how the role of volunteering and community service is not important, but necessary because it is essential in bettering both parties …show more content…
Through community service, both parties can be incredibly affected and further their feeling of belonging. Many poets and philosophers have touched upon this concept, including Henry David Thoreau or Ralph Waldo Emerson. As humans, we all wish to ‘make a mark’ somehow, whether it is through a scientific discovery, or an artistic achievement. To me and many others I have observed, finding a purpose in life is one of the most important explorations people will undergo throughout their lives. If analyzing any influential person such as Albert Einstein or Van Gogh, they seemed to have a clear purpose in their lives, and the reason these people are praised is for their accomplishments in inspiring and changing the way millions of people think, and live for centuries. It is a fact that not all eight billion people on this Earth will be able to make an impact that great, but it is also a fact that every single individual can inspire and change others for the better. This is where the role of community service can take shape as Jonas Salk observes. He sees “Every human being as having a purpose, a destiny” (Salk). These small helpful maneuvers, whether through a good deed or something greater, cause a ripple effect and give both the parties a fulfilling sense of purpose and belonging. When volunteering in a senior center, I experienced this exact, by helping others …show more content…
Though this complaint makes sense logically because if volunteering is no longer an optional activity, but instead is a necessary requirement, it essentially invalidates the entire premise of it. But it should be remembered that in the end, the person will not only be helping himself mentally, but he would also be bettering the community he is living in. In my experience, sometimes I needed that push in order to get myself to help out others. Since it has been proven to better ones’ health as well, it may very well be an important activity which everybody should carry
It helps them to see that they are making a difference in the children’s lives and that the kids are able to get past all of the cynicism that surrounds them and strive to achieve a better life. 4. What definition of community service emerges from the conversation between Coles and the thirty-year-old assembly line
The attitudes of others forcibly constrict and diminish the subconscious of others ultimately limiting their ability to make choices and clouding their sense of belonging. There is only a matter of time before one's choices are influenced by their surroundings and the relationships that exist there. Psychological barriers created by experience dictate one's attitude ultimately limiting their perception of the world. The attitudes of others can thrust unwanted experiences on one, ultimately altering and damaging their capability to make choices in relation to where they situate their sense of self. Jane Harrison’s Rainbows End, a play about how the ignorance of Anglo-Saxon society in Australia inhibits and challenges an Aboriginal family to find where they belong in society and Edgar Allen Poe’s Alone, a poem that addresses differences in how one views the world and how they make sense of where they belong in it. Both of these texts utilize various techniques that allow us to see how the attitudes of others reduce one’s sense of belonging.
There remains this experience in my mind that I need to write about that actually inspired me in countless behaviors in reference to service and self. I consider relationships concerning those in the helping field and those obtaining aid stands as particularly vital; hence, I believe I must direct focus on this concept. I resolved to enter this discipline because I wanted to give back to those in the community in need. One day I was speaking with a counselor at Centaur who happened to tell me about the significance of connecting to clients, and she expressed to me that I should pay homage to those who accept the “gift” of service because without them, we would not possess the zeal to accomplish authentic behaviors approaching community service. I realized these were true words of wisdom because when I thought about it, I realized my actions were not just about those that I helped but how I helped myself. Thus, in my opinion, these connections were essentially interactions that were in effect a “gift” that could be passed on. I am not just here to help and individual, I am here to create notable connections that would present the motivation to others to also aid those in need and bolster the
Growing up, my parents and other influential figures around me modelled the importance of community service through their continual volunteer work and dedication to improving the world around them. Whether it be participation in a well-attended project or persistent contribution to a helpful organization, those aforementioned individuals were formative in guiding me towards a path filled with opportunities for having an impact on my community.
I have made friends with the elderly and sick children, these groups alone helped influence my future career, and without community service I wouldn’t have this
Kim, in the United States, grades are not the only factor in evaluating school applicants and job candidates. From Rhodes Scholar selections to college applications, excellence in other areas such as leadership, volunteer activities, sports and arts is equally important (p82-90). In American schools, students are encouraged to do volunteer work. So much so that many schools have guidelines for how much time students are expected to spend serving in the community. Children learn the value of giving from an early age. Volunteer activities is one way Americans feel a part of things and share the goal of serving and contributing to build their communities. From neighborhood watch programs to environmental issues, Americans do not wait for the government to initiate action: they take action to bring about the changes they desire. Therefore, Americans view volunteer work as a way to teach children and young adults values such as cooperation and teamwork, dedication and work ethics, equality and social justice, leadership, generosity and compassion for
Community service is a voluntary, unpaid act of kindness that an individual perform to benefit and help others who are in need. It is important for individuals to do community services. It is not only about helping the community but, also making a difference in someone’s life. It can help a person grow and build connections mentally, physically, and emotionally. Mentally, a person who does community service is able to change their perspective of the world and appreciate the things they have. Physically, it can help a person be more motivated and explore what is going on in their community. Emotionally, it can help a person feel kindness therefore, it can also help an individual interact with others, build a relationship, and further their communication. Participating in community service can help a person become more active and involved in their community, it can also build your work related skills and make you gain experience to network with future employers and companies. Community Service helps an
Fashion is one of those things that people can claim they don't care about. They can defend again and again that it doesn't matter what one wears, it's the person who wears it. But in all likelihood they will continue to be judged, as we all are, for the clothes on our body, the shoes on our feet and the hairstyle we are sporting.
Coming from a high school where brotherhood is the cornerstone of the curriculum, I understand what it means to be a part of a community that reject nobody and makes everybody feel accepted. It is this sense of belonging that has carried me through the trials and tribulations of high school. Whether it be a problematic test coming up or an arduous project, I know that I can count on my fellow students and the teachers to help me. This sense of community is something that I strive to reflect onto the rest of the world.
If we open our lives and give service to those less fortunate than ourselves, we allow our hearts to receive immeasurable happiness. When we sacrifice our time to help someone in need, whether it is a great or small need, we become a part of their life and can help alleviate heavy burdens. Making time to help people in need creates opportunities for us to develop new and lasting relationships. Serving our fellowmen allows the best in each of us to shine through and we can become examples to our children.
Volunteering enables an individual to make a positive impact on his or her community, while empowering the individual to better his or her life. This summer, I had the opportunity to volunteer at many diverse locations. From the hospital to the local library, I truly value my experience and treasure everything it has thought me. Volunteering lets us experience and learn things that we otherwise would not have learned; volunteering opens doors for us that we may not have been able to open before. Volunteering provides us with guidance and tolerance which we may use in the future to aid us in our decisions. At first glance, volunteering may seem to only benefit those who are helped, but on a deeper level, one can realize that volunteering benefits the volunteer as much as, if not more than, those who are helped. Not only does volunteering make a difference in one’s community, but it also helps the volunteer become a smarter, happier, friendlier and more caring individual.
Specifically, volunteering can combat and help aid in the treatment of mental disorders. To emphasize, volunteering has been found to significantly lower levels of depression (Dietz et al.). When a person focuses on others it is easier to forget our own personal struggles and lower mental disorders. In addition, it creates a sense of purpose in the world. To demonstrate, the “social integration theory” or “role theory” provide an explanation that people involved in community service feel more life satisfaction and purpose (Dietz et al.). Having a sense of belonging and purpose helps overall psychological well being. Lastly, volunteering increases self-confidence. For instance, volunteering is attached to a “natural sense of accomplishment” (Segal and Robinson). Thus, volunteerism has a strong connection to an increase in confidence and self-discovery. Overall, volunteerism increases a person’s mental state of mind in many ways, but also
The main reason why community service is very important is, it brings people together.
Contrary to this opposing view, helping others is the best feeling that one could ever have. What is a volunteer? Volunteer: a person who does work without getting paid to do it (Merriam, Webster). The act of volunteering gives people a sense of responsibility and makes one feel needed and useful to society one way or another. Students should be obligated to give back to their communities through acts of community service. It should be viewed from the perspective of paying their dues back to the community, after all the education of these students is free and it is the community that pays for it. Community service should be a mandatory high school graduation requirement because it builds ones character, limits the rate of teenage delinquency, and establishes a path for a better future as an individual.
These experiences have afforded me opportunities to demonstrate my gifts and talents that had previously gone undiscovered. Through different community service opportunities, I either learned something new about myself or I was reassured something. These qualities include that I am creative, reliable, open-minded, passionate, and an effective team player. Community service changed my life by developing my character through enhancing my transferable skills, which allowed me to see the world differently. Everyone, from all walks of life, needs to in some way, shape, or form give back to the community because it will not only benefit the less fortunate but it will benefit the volunteers as well. Additionally, I learned about the wide variety of resources available to help the community. There are so many resources out there that people are ignorant to like certain shelters and food banks. Ultimately, community service taught me the greatest gift I could ever receive, how to be