Importance of Community Service

"He who wished to secure the good of others, has already secured his own." - Confucius

I think that is a really beautiful opinion about charity, sympathy and service to others. Community service, a recent thing which has come up in the USA is a significant part of charity and social service. This and volunteering is being taken up and being encouraged, on a considerable scale, not just in the USA but quite a few other countries as well.

Before moving on to the importance and purpose of community service, let's take a look at what exactly constitutes it. This term refers to a donated service or activity performed by an individual or a group of people for the well-being and benefit of the public or public institutions. Those who offer service are called volunteers. Those who are compelled to do so by government or the court or school are not termed as volunteers, as they are not doing it out of their own will.

Why Community Service is Important

There are many aspects intertwined, with regards to the issue. People do it for several reasons, it is something like to each his own. It is for you to analyze, what are you helping others for, and do you find it worthwhile. The purpose of service can be varied for each individual or group.

Purpose #1
Each country wants its youth and children to be disciplined and wanting to work for a change. Community service is the best way to instill this sense of responsibility in children. To add another dimension to the aspect of reform, the American judicial system has recognized this and it has been assigning such projects to law breakers for a long time. Inmates are asked to participate in cleaning roads and stuff like that. This brings discipline and reform in the life of a convict, particularly those who are young. Such convicts have a good chance to turn over a new leaf by doing such projects.

Purpose #2
Another benefit is that children and teenagers can be introduced to morals and good values. These values can be instilled in youngsters. Values like honesty, humbleness, gratefulness, respect, being non-judgmental, sincere are some of the virtues to be learned from serving the community. These, unfortunately cannot be taught in the classroom. Due to all these reasons, parents are sending their kids regularly, and in larger numbers, for such activities. This gives them a good feeling of having done something for others. The children learn to think beyond 'I, me, myself' and get a wider perspective of life.

Purpose #3
Community service has now become a vehicle for getting the nation together. It can almost be like the focal point of a nation, as there is a major emphasis on doing good for others. This is mostly driven by religious and political corridors.

Purpose #4
There are times when we think of what we have gained in life and what we had dreamed of achieving. Sometimes what we think, never turns into reality. But such dreams can often lead to a detour. We can still do what we love and help those around us. This can be anything from helping maintain a library, to help a sports coach, be a teacher and can think of many other community service ideas. This service would not let any of your talent go in vain, that is one of the best part of participating in it. Sometimes helping others dreams can give us immense satisfaction and joy. It can take us to a different spiritual level all together.

Significance of this service ultimately depends on how you perceive it. Such programs are meant to instill a sense of civic engagement and community in children. The more the number of hours children put in, it will automatically help them in achieving their developmental, social and educational goals.

Community service has further increased and spread as a result of lot of celebrities and public figures, from White House to Hollywood, endorsing it. What is more, even corporate world has recognized its benefits and are helping the cause by indulging in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). This is where I end my treatise on this topic. Take care of yourselves and others.