The American Way to Change: How National Service and Volunteers Are Transforming America

by Shirley Sagawa

• ISBN13: 9780470618646
• ISBN10: 0470618647
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2010-04-01
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

How ordinary citizens dedicated to service can change the face of America's most critical issuesWhat if the nation were able to capitalize on the energy of Americans willing to serve and volunteer for a year or more? This inspirational book tells the stories of real people who have dedicated themselves to service and the nonprofits that engaged them. It shows how selflessness and service have transformed lives and communities, and can address similar problems throughout the country. The author profiles successes, demonstrates measurable effects, and shows how impact is made. This book describes how we can achieve change, through action at both the community and organizational level. Filled with illustrative examples and key lessons Highlights programs such as Teach for America, City Year, and Community Health Corps Shows how nonprofits can create successful service programs to tackle different issuesThe book shows what America would look like if programs like these operated at scale across the country not just in one or two neighborhoods, but wherever they were needed.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Prologue

Preface

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Introduction

About This Book

Changing Lives: Impacts on Those Who Serve

Powering Life Transitions

Transition to the Teen Years

Transition to Productive Adulthood

Transition from College to Career

Transition from Career to Retirement

Transition from Crisis to Coping

Potential for Transformation

Strengthening Civic Engagement

Service and Civic Engagement

How Service Helps

Political Activism

Potential for Transformation

Tackling Tough Problems: Impacts on Others

Advancing Education

Early Childhood Development

Elementary and Secondary Education

Potential for Transformation

Improving Health and Well-Being

Health

Aging

Potential for Transformation

Helping People and Communities in Distress

Poverty

Disaster

Potential for Transformation

Protecting the Environment

Conserving Energy

Protecting the Environment

Potential for Transformation

Inspiring and Sustaining Innovative Solutions

Service and Social Innovation

Today's Innovators

Service Alumni Entrepreneurs

Potential for Transformation

What You Can Do

Individuals

Groups

Nonprofit Organizations

Educators

Business

Media and Entertainment

Philanthropy

Locally Elected Officials

State Policymakers

Federal Policymakers

Potential for Transformation

Conclusion

Appendix: High-Impact Service Programs

Notes

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.