NCJ Number
197003
Date Published
2002
Length
92 pages
Annotation
This manual presents a series of community service projects designed to enable educators and youth offender court supervisors to apply school-based service learning methods to community-service dispositions for youth court respondents.
Abstract
Providing educators and youth offender court supervisors with the necessary projects and tools to help them apply school-based service learning methods to community-service dispositions for youth offenders is the goal of this manual from the National Youth Court Center. Arguing that community service is the most popular disposition prescribed by youth courts, the author stresses community service learning as an education method that encourages students to learn and develop through active, organized participation. Designed for youth court coordinators, volunteers, teachers, school administrators, social-services professionals, or members of partnering community organizations, this manual presents step-by-step guidelines and projects to organize community service sessions for youth offenders. Discussion ideas, handouts, community service learning options, and project guidelines are materials that comprise each session. Focusing on a variety of topics including what is meant by a community, the problem of crime, volunteering, senior assistance, multicultural festivals, skateboard park patrol, graffiti paint-out, creating drug-free zones, mentoring, and developing leaders for tomorrow, the bulk of this manual is a series of community service projects designed to teach lessons, foster community awareness and pride, and offer required community service hours. A list of community partnerships, a presentation of the National Youth Court Center’s 12-month public awareness and service campaign, and a listing of resources follow the extensive list of projects and their descriptions.