Service Learning

Education is paired with community service to allow youth to learn-by-doing, expanding their knowledge of the community and inspiring self-motivated engagement. This program is offered in the fall and spring for children in 3rd - 5th grade. 

Children learn about a specific community need alongside their peers, brainstorm solutions together, volunteer, and reflect on what they have learned in the program while working independently on a personal service project. 

Service Learning helps youth on the pathway to lifelong volunteerism, philanthropy, and community leadership expand on what they have learned through Family Volunteering.

Spring 2019 Service Learning Program

Thanks to our generous supporters, this spring we have three groups of kids in our Service Learning programs, each focused on a different community need - helping the environment, helping kids, and helping animals!

Helping Animals

Animal lovers are studying the issues that face local animal welfare agencies through hands-on service activities at three local nonprofits. Youth are learning about how our nonprofit community helps pets and wildlife, then they will complete their own independent service project that helps animals! This program includes:

• Intro Workshop with a guest speaker from Austin Wildlife Rescue
• Central Texas SPCA activity
• Austin Humane Society activity
• Austin Zoo & Sanctuary activity
• Reflection Workshop at Generation SERVE
• Extension Project Showcase

Helping the Environment

Budding nature enthusiasts are learning about the specific environmental challenges Austin faces through hands-on service activities at three local nonprofits. Youth are studying Austin's local waterways, how our community is eliminating waste and the importance of our city's trees and green spaces. They will finish off the program by completing their own independent service project benefitting our environment! This program includes:

• Intro Workshop, Keep Austin Beautiful kits
• Austin Creative Reuse activity
• TreeFolks activity
• Colorado River Alliance activity
• Reflection Workshop at Generation SERVE
• Extension Project Showcase

Helping Kids

Compassionate kids are studying the challenges that some youth in Central Texas face and are helping brighten their days with three local organizations. Participating youth are learning and volunteering together and they will complete their own independent service project to help people in need! This program includes:

• Intro Workshop, guest speaker from STARRY
• Partnerships for Children activity
• Pop Up Birthdays activity
• Foster Village activity
• Reflection Workshop at Generation SERVE
• Extension Project Showcase

Review our Service Learning Program FAQs.

Be sure to register your family with Generation SERVE to receive our communications about our programs. 

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Fall Extension Project Showcase!

Highlights from Service Learning - Helping People

Bagging groceries for food pantry recipients

Service Learning participants posing for a picture together!

Preparing backpacks for children in need

Sharing ideas about helping people in poverty

Partner organizations supported by this program:

Alzheimer's Association​
​Central Texas Food Bank
​Homeless Task Force
Hope Totes
Micah 6 Pantry
Mobile Loaves & Fishes Community First! Village
​Partnerships for Children
SAIVA
Senior Access
​Westminster Manor

Highlights from Service Learning - Helping Animals

Sharing ideas about how to help animals

Families making warmers for shelter kittens

Making blankets for shelter dogs

Helping at the Austin Humane Society

Partner organizations supported by this program:

Austin Humane Society
Austin Zoo & Sanctuary
Austin Wildlife Rescue
​Central Texas SPCA
​Emancipet
Safe in Austin

Service Learning participant meeting a tortoise!

Highlights from Service Learning - Helping the Environment

Volunteering at a TreeFolks activity

Cleaning up our parks!

Sorting donations at Austin Creative Reuse

Students brainstorming together

Partner organizations supported by this program:

Austin Creative Reuse
​Colorado River Alliance
Treefolks
Keep Austin Beautiful

Cleaning up litter for the Colorado River Authority

Highlights from Service Learning - Helping Seniors

Learning at the Helping Seniors Intro Workshop

Helping the Alzheimer's Association get ready for the Alzheimers Walk

Service Learning participants after making thank you cards for volunteers with Senior Access

Partner organizations supported by this program:

SAIVA
Senior Access
Westminster Manor
Alzheimer's Association