What can you do to empower a troubled teen? Organize a community service project.
It will take time and effort, yet the investment yields high returns.
This article highlights several ways that community service benefits a troubled teen.
It has the potential to strike the right cord and turn a teen around.
Several Benefits
A special project, nonetheless, puts the focus on others, especially if the teen is around groups like the elderly, the sick or shut-in.
Being with the former presents an excellent opportunity to bridge the generation gap and to dispense some wisdom.
Teens get into a rhythm about being at a designated place at a certain time and on time.
At length, a teen learns to be punctual and reliable.
During the planning phase, make it a point to recruit volunteers who have a sincere enjoyment for young people.
In general, working with teens takes patience and passion; troubled teens require a double dose of patience and passion.
A community service project lets them see people who work everyday, who are willing to delay immediate gratification, and who have goals for the future.
Moreover, the teen learns teamwork.
With this in mind, establish a formal process for giving feedback, so the teen will know how he or she is progressing.
With this in mind, establish partnerships with different types of organizations (hospitals, nursing homes, community agencies, small businesses, corporations, churches, etc).
Mentors will be available to teach, to give constructive criticism, and to encourage.
Explain what is appropriate and what is inappropriate.
Equally important, be available to answer questions or troubleshoot.
Recognize the teen for a job well done.
Finally, you might want to consider calling it a service project or an internship.
These words evoke a more positive image.
On the other hand, community service makes one think of a dreadful activity to avoid jail time or a fine.
It will take time and effort, yet the investment yields high returns.
This article highlights several ways that community service benefits a troubled teen.
It has the potential to strike the right cord and turn a teen around.
Several Benefits
- It gets a troubled teen thinking about others.
A special project, nonetheless, puts the focus on others, especially if the teen is around groups like the elderly, the sick or shut-in.
Being with the former presents an excellent opportunity to bridge the generation gap and to dispense some wisdom.
- It teaches discipline.
Teens get into a rhythm about being at a designated place at a certain time and on time.
At length, a teen learns to be punctual and reliable.
- It connects a troubled teen with a positive role model.
During the planning phase, make it a point to recruit volunteers who have a sincere enjoyment for young people.
In general, working with teens takes patience and passion; troubled teens require a double dose of patience and passion.
- It establishes a work ethic.
A community service project lets them see people who work everyday, who are willing to delay immediate gratification, and who have goals for the future.
- It develops key skills.
Moreover, the teen learns teamwork.
With this in mind, establish a formal process for giving feedback, so the teen will know how he or she is progressing.
- It exposes a teen to potential career options.
With this in mind, establish partnerships with different types of organizations (hospitals, nursing homes, community agencies, small businesses, corporations, churches, etc).
- It places a teen in a supportive environment.
Mentors will be available to teach, to give constructive criticism, and to encourage.
- It challenges teens to think and behave differently.
Explain what is appropriate and what is inappropriate.
Equally important, be available to answer questions or troubleshoot.
Recognize the teen for a job well done.
Finally, you might want to consider calling it a service project or an internship.
These words evoke a more positive image.
On the other hand, community service makes one think of a dreadful activity to avoid jail time or a fine.