FirstCall
From Service-Learning Wiki
| This program was profiled in Growing to Greatness 2005. |
Contents |
Service-Learning in FirstCall
In 1999, at a forum FirstCall held for area volunteers, a group of area youths expressed their wish for a better way to access service opportunities. Because FirstCall also has a passion for making volunteering meaningful, FirstCall responded to their challenge with a service-learning initiative “to promote an ethic of service, foster youth leadership, build community, and enhance education.”
FirstCall began its service-learning initiative in Poudre School District “from the bottom up.” From the start, young people contributed ideas and enthusiasm to the project. As a result, many teachers became advocates of service-learning. In the development process, FirstCall collaborated with teachers, curriculum specialists, Americorps VISTA volunteers, and the University of Colorado to develop teacher training materials. FirstCall then held three-day teacher trainings, where teachers created standards-based service-learning curricula.
After several years of hard work in the Poudre School District, the district embraced FirstCall’s service-learning initiative. In 2003, the District passed a resolution describing service-learning “as an integral strategy for meeting the educational goals of every school in the district.” For FirstCall, this resolution signals a transition to the school district implementing service-learning projects.
Maddie Snow, FirstCall’s Youth Volunteer and Service-Learning Coordinator, says FirstCall owes its success to its passionate staff and its emphasis on tailoring projects to people’s needs. Snow emphasizes that FirstCall’s Youth Program has never wanted to be only a volunteer referral service; from the beginning, it has advocated for real service-learning, complete with youth-driven projects and in-class reflection.
In its teacher trainings, FirstCall stresses two key service-learning concepts: civic engagement and youth voice. According to Snow, FirstCall’s service-learning initiatives “are all about giving youths a voice to help them develop their full potential.” Ultimately, Snow hopes that FirstCall will help youths become engaged citizens.
Scope of Service-Learning
Many curriculum-based service-learning projects have occurred throughout Poudre School District and across grade levels as a result of FirstCall’s efforts. For example, a 2nd grade class created a play for their community about water conversation, and a 7th grade class made a presentation to their city council about fluoride levels in the city water supply. Now, with the support of the Colorado Department of Education, FirstCall is beginning to introduce service-learning in nearby Big Thompson School District.
Intended Outcomes
Poudre School District officials believe that its service-learning programs have demonstrated remarkable results. The District’s recent resolution notes positive impacts on students’ engagement in school community life, increases in academic achievement and graduation rates, and enhanced youth civic responsibility as a result of service-learning. For example, at Lincoln Junior High, officials linked increases in students’ graduation rates and test scores to service-learning programming.
