The Importance of Volunteering and Service Learning
Project Flight is a not-for-profit 501(C)(3) organization started in 1993, with award winning programs that promote altruism using literacy, volunteerism and service learning to enhance Social Justice, Equity and Peace. We recognize that the impact derived from volunteerism and service learning can change the world and volunteer for the better in beneficial life changing ways. At a time when polarization seems stronger than ever, one simple truth offers hope: serving others changes everything. Acts of kindness, whether through volunteering, community work, or compassion in daily life, can dissolve barriers, open hearts, and ignite creativity that leads to lasting, positive changes. Students and families who need help and who are more disproportionately affected are people of color, families in poverty, the disabled or people from diverse backgrounds. Agencies and programs like those found in The Importance of Volunteering and Service Learning for Children, Teens, Parents, Families and Adults: A Guide for Promoting Altruism through Actions of Social Justice, Equity and Peace, (Cappella, 2025) provide specific examples of how systemic change integrates compassionate action through volunteerism and service learning. Some of our programs have fostered guides on volunteerism, started programs that use literacy to promote service learning to enhance Social Justice and created special collections on peace, that have been nationally recognized.
How can teachers, schools, adults, parents, and community organizations promote equity, social justice, and peace in the classroom at home and around the world?
A key action in promoting equity, social justice and peace is education and being of service to others. All adults, parents, and teachers, whether in the classroom, at home or in the community can create a community of conscience, by creating strategies that teach fairness, understanding and acceptance. This environment ensures that everyone’s voices, opinions, and ideas are valued and respected. It is imperative that teachers and others be advocates for equity, social justice, and peace both in their local communities and globally.
The Purpose of the Guide for Promoting Altruism through Actions of Social Justice, Equity and Peace, is to provide strategies for children, families, teachers schools or adults who wish to give back to their community through volunteerism and service as well as a listening of 112 agencies that one can volunteer for. This guide will attempt to do this by:
- empowering learners through social emotional learning to understand the underlying principles of creating a non-violent world anchored in giving, dignity, purpose, and meaning,
- supporting people in creating a skill set to find purpose, meaning, and self-worth through developing communication, conflict resolution, understanding, and empathy in sustaining peace, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging while respecting and accepting the rights of others,
- creating systemic change that integrates compassion and humanity through leadership, education, and empowerment through giving, and compassionate action,
- by providing a guide for young children, teens, families, parents and the community to facilitate ideas on peace, volunteering, service learning and supervised community outreach focused on equity, social justice, and peace.
