The Case For National Service

The Activists

Resource Guide

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(2 of 2)
Learn and Serve America
www.learnandserve.org
202-606-5000
Helps integrate community service with classroom learning for kids in kindergarten through college


New Profit
www.newprofit.com
617-252-3220
A venture-philanthropy organization that links social entrepreneurs, individual investors and management consultants to develop high-risk, high-impact projects


New York Junior Tennis League
www.nyjtl.org
718-786-7110 x8126
Uses tennis to teach underprivileged kids leadership and work ethic


Omidyar Network
www.omidyar.net
[no phone #]
Funds for- and non-profit ventures that center on helping individuals help the world


Physicians for Peace
www.physiciansforpeace.org
757-625-7569
Sends doctors, nurses, dentists, therapists and medical supplies to countries with inadequate health care


Rochester Children's Zone
www.rcsdk12.org/rcz/
585-262-8390
Will provide a support network for low-income children in the upstate-NY city, and help them with educational and extracurricular activities


Senior Corps
www.seniorcorps.org
202-606-5000
With programs like Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions, the corps matches those over 55 with kids and adults in need


Skoll Foundation
www.skollfoundation.org
www.socialedge.org
650-331-1031
Awards three-year grants to social entrepreneurs to address problems from health and environmental problems, to economic equity and social justice, to world peace


SmartVolunteer
www.smartvolunteer.org
[no phone #]
Tries to reduce the non-profits' staffing costs by increasing the quality of volunteers, and by helping prospective do-gooders find projects that best fit their skill set


Teach for America
www.teachforamerica.org
800-832-1230
Top college grads teach in underperforming schools for two years


The New Teacher Project
www.tntp.org
212-590-2484 x1031
Advises urban school districts on recruitment and evaluation of instructors, prepares new teachers and re-trains older career switchers for running a classroom


Voices for National Service
www.voicesforservice.org
[no phone #]
Lobbies and raises money in support of volunteer organizations


Volunteermatch
www.volunteermatch.org
415-241-6872
Pairs individual and corporate do-gooders with non-profits


YES Schools
www.yesprep.org
713-574-7600
The mostly low-income 6th through 12th graders who attend the family of YES (Youth Engaged in Service) charter schools in Houston must complete monthly community service projects and be accepted to a four-year college to graduate


Youth Empowerment Zone
www.boonecountypartnership.org
573-256-1890 x257
Provides educational and developmental help for at-risk kids in Columbia, Mo.<

Next: Voices of the Volunteers >>

Commentary: Caroline Kennedy

Making a Difference at Home

Inspired by their work abroad, Peace Corps volunteers return to the U.S. as teachers, bringing the lessons they learned to the kids who need them most

Commentary: Michael Kinsley

National Service? Puh-lease

Michael Kinsley thinks TIME editor Rick Stengel's call for compulsory national service is naïve. What we really need is better free-market capitalism

Service Abroad

How Others Serve

Abroad, civilian service ranges from diplomacy to firefighting

Election 2008

What These Presidents Would Ask of You

The candidates push for cash incentives, loan help, new service corps

Influentials On The Ground

The Activists

These nonprofit stars started small but took on big problems, from education to poverty to making volunteers more effective. The clearest sign of their success? The spin-offs built on their bright ideas

Get Involved

Resource Guide

Here, TIME provides a variety of websites to help you get started on giving back

Podcast

A Call For National Service

Caroline Kennedy and Jeff Sachs talk with TIME Senior Editor Jyoti Thottam about the value of community and national service in the U.S. and abroad, their concerns about required national service, and the role of a universal national service program

Interviews

Voices of the Volunteers

Four volunteers, and the founder of Teach for America, talk about what motivates them, and what they have learned

Military Service

Would National Service Be Better Than the Draft?

Some argue that a military option as part of a national service requirement would be good for the country. Others say it would be bad for the military

Talkback

How Do You Serve Your Community?

Now it's your turn to speak up about the value of volunteering and national service. Why do you volunteer? What impact do volunteers make in your community? Do you think the United States should have a national service program?

For the Kids

Young Volunteers, TIME For Kids Wants You!

Nominate an American kid or youth group involved in a remarkable volunteer or service project. Each month, TIME For Kids will choose one project to feature in its pages