Reflective Essay: My Personal Philosophy Of Community Service

“To whom much is given, much is expected.” This quote exemplifies my own personal philosophy on community service. Service is the greatest gift one can return to their community. When an individual takes their personal time and effort to help others in need, it helps progress not only the community they live in, but multiple communities ; ultimately promoting unity and teamwork. People gather together to work towards a common goal: building the people and organizations they are directly and indirectly affected by so that the next generation will be stronger than the previous one. Community service is but is not limited to monetary and material donations, housing reinforcement, neighborhood clean ups. It is as simple as holding a toy drive for

unfortunate families or providing hot meals and care packages for homeless people. Out of all community activities I have taken part of volunteering in, helping the youth is my all-time favorite form of building the community so when I'm awarded the Shawn Carter scholarship, I will spend my 25 required hours with the younger generation. Millennial kids are in dire need of disconnecting from the devices that plague their minds and reconnect with the world around them. I can admit that I have been a victim the cultural shift but I haven’t become completely subjected to it.

That’s why I believe I will be able to reach the target I’m aiming for. I plan to visit daycare centers and after school programs to talk to and spend time with young kids who are “at risk.” Some kids these days are practically raising themselves due to irresponsible parents, I can relate with that situation being that both of my parents are not present in my life. My mother is a prime example of an irresponsible parent, she produced five unique children and none of us received proper care and attention from her so we all had to learn by ourselves through living. When you don’t have a strong leader in your life you tend to fall into a path of misdirection and that’s how we have kids who grow and live up to the statistics and stereotypes that could’ve easily been avoided had they had someone there to support and encourage them. Fortunately before my dad passed away in 2008, he graced me and my brother with his valuable morals. He owned his own barbershop at age 19 which was a pure blessing and his business maintained success because he kept a positive attitude about everything and accepted everyone who walked through his doors no matter what size, shape, or

color. He made sure that no one went without what they needed and used his power to give back and to this day, people I don’t even know approach my family and I and tell us about what my dad did for them and how they wouldn’t be where they were without his help. My dad’s service was truly effective and I plan to follow through his footsteps and allow people the chance to live happily. I feel that by showcasing my creative talents (dancing, poetry, and acting) will inspire the kids I visit to carry out all of their aspirations and goals and remind them that they have no limitations. Appreciation, support, and love will be the results of my service to my community.