Service Learning Update

As the end of the first semester for most high schools approaches, the service learning projects also near fruition. Six classes in three area high schools are participating in service learning projects this semester. Students at Don Bosco and East High in Waterloo are helping to solve the problem of hunger in our community by serving meals at the Salvation Army, stocking shelves at the food bank, and preparing holiday food boxes.

Respect for our military personnel is an objective of another group of Don Bosco students. They have sent letters of service people and have made plans to help a returning veteran.

A group of Waterloo West High young people are attacking the problems of violence and drugs, through a dramatic presentation of skits, music and poetry that will be taped.

Young people at Waterloo East High are also finding ways to help their own school community and their neighborhood by improving the school campus.

I can best sum up the feeling abut service learning by quoting an email received at the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley. “Your class isn’t planning some huge, thousands of dollars project. But it’s the attitude that counts…. The desire to step up and do the right thing.”

Our Do Something Clubs continue to be active at North Cedar Elementary and Poyner Elementary. The students are developing team work skills that will certainly help them later in life.

In addition to these projects, the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley continues to find volunteer opportunities for young people throughout the Cedar Valley. We are so very fortunate to have caring young people in our community who can identify a need and engage a plan to help solve it.