FOCUS encourages and supports youth community service projects across the state. We believe that young people want to give back and make our world a better place. Working alongside our partners, FOCUS provides students the opportunity to give back with organized community service projects and leadership opportunities.  

 

FOCUS students are able to express themselves through unique, interesting, and impactful community service. FOCUS actively encourages students to be creative visionaries in how they serve their communities, looking for ways to make their communities better and MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

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HOW DO STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS?

• Students are allowed to contribute to a cause relevant to their lives.

• Students begin to see themselves as members of the community and take a step forward in learning about their responsibility to the world.

• Students are allowed to succeed in an area different from academics, athletics, or popularity.

• Community service helps create a sense of self-worth as students share their skills, talents, and efforts.

• Students are allowed to develop a sense of being responsible for their communities and a sense that citizenship requires them to actively participate in their communities.

• Students are allowed to build friendships as they participate in group projects.

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GETTING STARTED WITH A COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT

• Pick a project by determining needs.

• Brainstorm as a group.

• Discuss prominent issues that need attention in your school and community.  

• Brainstorm ways to address the problems.

• Prioritize your ideas and select the best one.

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HOW CAN WE HELP IN OUR COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL?

Begin by thinking about specific service goals your FOCUS members would like to reach. An example goal might be, “This year, our members would like to partner with other FOCUS schools to provide birthday gifts for all children in foster care in our county.”

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CONSIDER STATEWIDE RESOURCES AND PARTNERS

Alabama Department of Human Services 

Click Counties and click on your county to contact someone to provide a list of the children in foster care in your county. Information is provided here to email or call the DHR office in your county.

 https://dhr.alabama.gov/county-office-contact/

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The Alabama Cooperative Extension Service

https://www.aces.edu/blog/category/about-us/

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The United Way

https://unitedwayhandson.org/

https://teensgive.org/

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Community Service Programs of West Alabama

https://cspwal.com/

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Icebreaker Community Service Ideas

https://icebreakerideas.com/community-service-ideas/

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The Governor’s Office of Volunteer Services

https://www.servealabama.gov/

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COMMUNITY RESOURCES 

·      Public library

·      Senior Citizen’s Center

·      ARC of Alabama