Service-Learning United
United in Our Support of
Learn and Serve America
About Service-Learning United
Service-Learning United is a growing alliance of state and national organizations working collectively to educate our nation’s leaders, policymakers, and citizens about the positive and powerful impact service-learning has on our young people and the communities they serve. We are committed to increasing support, recognition, and resources for service-learning through public engagement and effective policy strategies.
Federal Funding for Service-Learning
Learn and Serve America is a national program that supports service-learning through grants to K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and community-based organizations. Since 1990, Learn and Serve America has engaged more than 15 million young people in service-learning. In his budget request to Congress, the President proposed deepening the recent funding cuts to Learn and Serve America by more than $5 million – down to $32.1 million. If Congress adopts this cut, it would continue a severe downward trend from the program's traditional level of $43 million, initiated by the first major cut to $37.1 million in Fiscal Year 2006. Service-Learning United is requesting that Congress renew its commitment to service-learning with an FY2009 appropriation of $46 million.
After your calls and messages last year, Congress voted to reject the Administration’s proposed cuts to Learn and Serve America and make a modest funding increase over the previous year. Unfortunately, Learn and Serve America’s funding is again in jeopardy.
Speak. Act. Now.
CALL CONGRESS.
Use your cell phone and urge your members of Congress to restore Learn and Serve America’s funding level to $46 million*. Educate members of Congress and local elected officials by sharing your stories about the power of service-learning and its positive impact on students in your community. After you make your calls, urge at least 5 other people to do the same. Use the talking points on the back of this sheet and make copies for others.
*While you can talk about your program and the impact of service-learning to members of Congress and their staff, DO NOT ask for specific funding levels or legislation while on time paid for through a Learn and Serve America grant.
CLICK AND SEND A MESSAGE.
Take two minutes to personalize a sample message to Congress with our online advocacy tool . It’s fast, and it’s easy. But don’t stop there. Ask your colleagues, parents, teachers, youth, friends, local supporters, and funders to send a message too. Spread the word about service-learning with a quick click.
SHOW SERVICE-LEARNING IN ACTION.
Invite members of Congress and state and local officials to visit your service-learning program. Take advantage of events including Global Youth Service Day (April 25 – 27), the National Learn and Serve Challenge (October 6-12), and Congressional recesses when members of Congress are back in their home states and districts. Invite their local staff to attend at any time. Help them see how service-learning engages young people as active citizens and engaged learners.
For tips on organizing a site visit and a sample invitation, visit our page, Arranging a Site Visit
CREATE A BUZZ.
Write a letter to the editor or submit an opinion article (“op-ed”) to your local paper. Upload a video to our site on YouTube. Start a FaceBook or MySpace Group about service-learning in your school or community.
For additional information and resources on connecting with the media, visit our page, Contacting the Media.
JOIN US!
Participate in Service-Learning United by signing up to receive policy updates and action alerts.
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