Definitions

Youth-Adult Partnership

  • A relationship where there is respect and mutuality in teaching, learning and action. Youth and adults work together with same or similar roles on boards, councils, or committees

  • * The structure of the group reinforces fairness (and equality) among all members for decision-making.

Community Service

  • An opportunity for young people to be involved in community roles to improve the quality of life for residents, or to solve a problem related to community needs.
  • Through community service, youth learn skills, assume responsibilities, become aware of the needs of others, and learn the value of unselfish serving and giving.

  • * Community Service is a broad, encompassing term.

Service Learning

  • A structured learning experience (organized in classrooms or organizations) that is a response to a community need and connects service (helping others) with academic learning (preparation for service), and reflection of an individual’s role as citizen (making connection between practice and critical thinking).

  • * Service Learning always includes three fundamental steps: 1) mental preparation; 2) doing service; and, 3) reflecting on learning.

Civic Engagement

  • Interaction of citizens with their society and government.
  • Civic engagement activities include: learning more about community needs; developing civic skills; inspiring engaged citizenship; promoting a civil society; and building the commonwealth.

  • * Civic engagement focuses action for the common good through some level of governance.


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