The President's Call to Service

To harness the outpouring of civic pride that emerged after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and foster a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility in America, President Bush created the USA Freedom Corps. As part of that initiative, he called on all Americans to commit at least two years of their lives - the equivalent of 4,000 hours - to the service of others.

While some Americans will respond to the President's Call to Service by signing up for the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or other programs that enable them to commit a year or two to full-time service, most Americans will serve a few hours each week or month throughout their lives. A young person who participates in a well-designed service program in every grade of elementary and secondary school, for example, could accumulate approximately 800 hours by high school graduation. Most importantly, he or she will have acquired the habits and skills for a lifetime of volunteering.

The USA Initiative

A school or community organization may encourage service and service-learning for many reasons, including bringing students into closer contact with their community, meeting state or district requirements, improving students' commitment to their school, or as a strategy to increase civic engagement. Performing acts of service and kindness may also be a way of enabling people to respond positively to a crisis. The USA Initiative of the Points of Light Foundation and the Volunteer Center National Network offers schools, students and organizations the opportunity to begin or continue a service or service-learning program in honor of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

The USA Act, now called the USA Initiative, was passed by Congress in 2001, and signed into law by President Bush. The Act calls for the creation of living memorials to those who lost their lives on September 11, while uniting Americans in service to their communities and to one another. Administered by the Points of Light Foundation and the Volunteer Center National Network, the USA Initiative offers Americans the opportunity to respond to the tragedy in a uniquely American way - by volunteering to rebuild and revitalize communities in memory of those who lost their lives on that day.

During the first part of the 2002-2003 school year, educators can seek to designate hands-on service projects with learning or curricular objectives as USA Initiative projects. The projects may be new or a continuation of past activities, and should involve direct service to the community. Examples of direct service activities include food drives for local food pantries, tutoring projects, park cleanups, community gardening, or playground building.

In order for a project to be designated a USA Initiative project, it must be registered with the Points of Light Foundation and the Volunteer Center National Network by March 1, 2003. Projects should be "largely completed" by May 3, 2003, meaning only a minor component should still be in progresson that date. For example, a house that is constructed but not painted by May 3 would be considered "largely completed." To register a project, visit the USA Initiative web site at www.usa.pointsoflight.org.

By linking your project or program with the USA Initiative, you may find access to new resources that will support your service program, such as connections to local Volunteer Centers and nonprofits in your area that can provide their expertise on working with community-based organizations and help you find partners for your project. By linking to a national initiative, you can also gain recognition for your program and create opportunities for civic learning.

USA FREEDOM CORPS
As a coordinating council housed at the White House and chaired by President George W. Bush, the USA Freedom Corps is working to strengthen our culture of service, citizenship and responsibility and help find opportu-nities for every American to start engaging in volunteer service.

Established in 2002, the USA Freedom Corps works with key service agencies in government, as well as organiza-tions in the nonprofit and private sectors, to provide opportunities and incentives to serve others at home and abroad. The USA Freedom Corps has also built a comprehensive USA Freedom Corps Volunteer Network, through which individuals can find service opportunities that match their interests and talents in their hometowns, across the country or around the world. The Network is available at the USA Freedom Corps web site: www.usafreedomcorps.gov.

Examples of Student Projects Already Part of the USA Initiative

One community organization is working with students from 10 regional schools to create a memorial to honor those lost on September 11. Students have designed a 15-foot sculpture that will be carved from the trunk of a felled cedar, with guidance from a woodworking teacher who is leading the carving effort. Its creators hope the sculpture will find a permanent home in their downtown area in time for a September 11 dedication.

Journalism students at one high school are exploring the impact of September 11 by researching former high-school students who are members of the armed services. Students will publish biographies and pictures of these former stu-dents to bring attention to the service these men and women have performed. The students will improve their research, writing, and photography skills, while documenting local history and the impact of current events.

On the anniversary of September 11, one volunteer resource center will initiate a recycling program in partnership with a local school. Students at the school will develop and staff a recycling project for the entire community. Research on the rebuilding efforts necessary to respond to tragedy will also be tied to aware-ness of the environment and the importance of involving the entire community in such issues. Through the project, students will apply planning and math skills and learn about the environment and the history of America's responses to crises.

THE POINTS OF LIGHT FOUNDATION AND THE VOLUNTEER CENTER NATIONAL NETWORK
The Points of Light Foundation and the Volunteer Center National Network seek to engage more people, more effectively, in volunteer service to help solve serious social problems. The Foundation accomplishes its mission by raising public awareness about the impact of volunteering, building the knowledge and skills of volunteers and volunteer leaders, and providing local delivery systems to mobilize volunteers. Recognizing the power of service-learning to meet that mission, the Foundation serves as a Senior Program Advisor for the Learn and Serve America National Service-Learning Clearinghouse. In that role, and through other programs, the staff works to develop training and resources about youth leadership, service-learning partnerships, and community-based service-learning. Link: www.pointsoflight.org