Why is Community Service Important? - Give For Good Millburn

Every single “thing” or act that someone does has two effects –

An affect on yourself
An effect on your community.

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Therefore, when somebody does community service, it has a positive effect on yourself, and a positive effect on your community! :D

RBG, or Ruth Bader Ginsburg, once said her most famous quote to this day:

“Fight for the things that you care about. But do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”

– RBG (Ruth Bader Ginsburg)

What Self-Benefits Does Community Service Entail?

Studies have shown that doing community service provides a more positive outlook on life.

Yes, that’s right! One of the benefits of giving back to your community makes you a much healthier person. Studies have shown that those who spend more time volunteering develop a greater sense of purpose in life, thereby changing their outlook entirely. They are much more motivated to live healthier lifestyles in order to achieve their goals. You want to sleep better, eat better and have well-managed schedules.

Mentally Healthy People Do These 15 Things Without Realizing It

Volunteering is also linked to better stress management and prevention of chronic health diseases. So, if you need another reason to be in top shape, then here it is!

By doing community service, it gives you a sense of fulfillment in your personal life.

Many feel unfulfilled. They are tired of the cycle they are in, the routine they are stuck with. Eventually, these people will feel empty and begin to live lives that feel more like a bad dream.
Giving back to the community, however, gives you a greater sense of purpose. You wake up each day knowing you’re about to do something meaningful. You look forward to each time you affect positive change on people who have touched your hearts. It’s an indescribable, mesmerizing feeling that we constantly wish everyone will experience.

In Terms of Education, What Benefits Does Community Service Give?

You may be thinking, “What? How does community service benefit us in terms of education? In fact, doesn’t community service take away time from completing schoolwork?” Nope! Studies say otherwise …

One study analyzed data from the National Education Longitudinal Study and found that students who volunteered did better in reading, history, science, and math and were more likely to complete high school. This is because students are able to see how their schoolwork applies to the real world, keeping them interested in what they are learning.

The Importance of Community Service in a Teen’s Life

This image is from The Bridge Teen Center which describes the benefits that community service serves to one’s career and one’s educational success.

How Does Community Service Serve as a Benefit Later in Life?

Volunteer experiences can also give students an advantage on college admissions and scholarships. Admission into colleges and universities has become more competitive over the years. Service-learning projects listed on college applications offer students an advantage over others.

Many students begin serving in high school, but students who serve even earlier have an even greater advantage. Their length of experience usually leads them to hold higher positions within the organization they are serving. This proves impressive to colleges looking for responsible, hard-working students to admit.

How Does Community Service Benefit Your Community?

The big idea is: When you volunteer, you make connections with other volunteers to tackle challenges facing your community. Thus, even helping out with a small task can make a big difference in the lives of others.

The real-world benefits of one’s service to the community could also mean offering wellness options that expand accessibility for local residents, such as an exam with payment available on a sliding scale or for free. Think of the number of people and families who wouldn’t be able to access quality healthcare if these hospitals no longer received funding. Instead of taking a step back, community service gives us the opportunity to raise awareness with our actions and strengthen existing opportunities for community-based care.

A Decrease in Violence

The Brennan Center found that “in a city of 100,000, each new nonprofit community organization lead to a 1.2 percent drop in the homicide rate, a one percent reduction in the violent crime rate, and a 0.7 percent reduction in the property crime rate”.
Community service benefits the entire community, impacting future generations and leaders. Volunteering activities act as a defensive tool within low-income communities that have experienced the increase in violence. It offers an after-school experience that protects youth who might journey down less savory paths. As a result, it is incredibly beneficial to youth and their families, ultimately contributing to a lower mortality rate in these communities.