By Feven Tesfaye, NYLC Youth Advisory Council Member

I remember as clear as day the first time I heard the words “service-learning.” I was confused. Is this a class-required volunteering thing? Did I have to pretend that I enjoyed picking up garbage at a random park? All these thoughts raced through my mind, and I know I’m not the only one. Service-learning is defined in many ways, but often these definitions fall short of exemplifying its full significance.

What does service-learning mean for young people?

Service-learning is made up of two key parts, and the name says them both! Let’s begin with “learning.” Most young people learn in the classroom, whether it’s through lectures, study cards, or cramming the night before a test. However, these learning approaches often lead to memorization rather than long-term understanding of a topic. This is where service-learning comes in. With service-learning, a student can not only engage in a topic of interest, whether it be economic inequality, juvenile justice, or education equity, but they can use this firsthand experience to dig deeper into the topics that a textbook doesn’t cover. This not only leads to more passion and determination to learn about the topic, because a student is engaging in it in a more interactive way, but it also creates a first step for future learning endeavors.

The second part of service-learning is the “service” aspect, which is not just ordinary community service, but real-life actions to create change in your community. Although engaging in service may fill a check on a school curriculum course load, it more importantly teaches students how to improve their planning, coordination, delegation, and outreach skills.  By connecting with the community, service-learning encourages students to become more civically engaged, leading to personal growth, since they are addressing a real-life issue.

How can you use service learning for youth advocacy?

Service-learning is not only for individuals to have a better understanding of  specific issues, but it also drives change. When first identifying an issue that affects you and your community, service-learning offers clear steps to create change. That might mean starting with research and learning more about the topic, talking with others in the community, or participating in already organized service projects to tackle this issue. It could also include reflecting on your own experiences and using your work to advocate for change, such as writing op-eds, meeting with legislators, creating a social media campaign, or presenting at a local county or school board meeting. Through this process, you not only deepen your knowledge of the issue, but also help build long-term impact by creating a project that lasts beyond your initial involvement.

How have I used service learning for my advocacy?

At NYLC, we’re redefining what it means to be a service-learner by tying it more closely to youth civic engagement. I exemplify this connection every day, specifically through my involvement in climate justice initiatives. As a youth activist and leader with Climate Generation, I have learned how service-learning offers young people like me an opportunity to hold leadership positions and how to use my voice to push toward positive change. My hunger to create change and my passion to learn more about climate justice fuel my action. For example, this past February, I helped organize a climate justice summit where young people were able to learn advocacy skills. Through that project, I deepened my understanding of climate injustices in my own community and also gained insight into how communities function and how to effectively engage them. The group’s collective momentum was a powerful tool when we met with state legislators. We were able to advocate for our beliefs on climate action and show decision-makers that this issue matters deeply to young people and needs urgent attention.

If there’s one thing to take away from this, it’s to not be weary when seeing the words “service-learning.” Instead, jump at the opportunity to dive deeper into an issue and use it as a powerful tool in your advocacy!