• "Volunteering is at the very core of being a human. No one has made it through life without someone else's help." – Heather French Henry

Not all volunteer experiences are created equal. Julia hosts a program about teen volunteerism. Reporter, Armine, joins the conversation in segment two. Julia discusses mandatory volunteerism, whereby many schools require many hours of community service to graduate. Julia says, "On one hand, it pushes students out of their comfort zones, gives them valuable skills, and might even spark a lifelong passion for helping others. On the other hand, forcing someone to be "selfless" kind of defeats the purpose, and if done wrong, it could turn students off from community service entirely. What's the solution? Both Julia and Armine agree that a middle ground is the way to go. Instead of requiring a set number of hours, schools could strongly encourage volunteering while offering meaningful, engaging opportunities. Instead of a graduation requirement, tie volunteerism to extra credit or special recognition. Armine states that being a volunteer helps a teen be proactive, compassionate, and willing to invest in the community. There are tangible benefits of volunteering, and it also shapes character. Volunteering fosters empathy, responsibility, and the ability to connect with others. These qualities are important for healthy, happy living. Being a teen volunteer inspires confidence and leadership while helping teens communicate about complex environmental issues.

As Helen Keller said, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."

Be a Volunteer!

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