impact of community development essay

Community Development and Its Role in the Public and Private Sector Essay

Introduction, the concept of community development, community development and the public sector, relevance of community development in the public sector, resistance of community development within the public sector, community development and the private sector, resistance of community development within the private sector, resistance of community development within itself, list references.

James and Susan (2009, p. 67) have defined community development as a set of activities taken by a group of people within a given society to eradicate poverty, social injustices and such other undesirable factors within a given society. It is a set of principles, practices and values that are geared towards making the society a better place to live in.

For a long time, many countries have been looking for the government to undertake most of the development issues within the society. Even in countries that were practicing communism, the government was expected to direct most of the activities that were taking place within the society.

As Rhonda and Robert (2009, p. 90) note, Russia was the leading communist state. However, the projects that were meant to bring development to the country were fostered by the government. In capitalist countries like the United States, individuals had to depend on themselves for development, and the state, for such issues as infrastructural developments.

Community development begun in the United States of America in early 1960swhen some citizens noted some serious disparities within the society. There was a huge gap between the rich and the poor.

These specific individuals noted that although the government was doing much to ensure that every member of the society was uplifted both socially and economically, this effort was not translating to direct benefits for the lower members of the society.

Those who were benefiting from this program were the richer society members. There was therefore a need to devise other methods to ensure that all the society members were liberated from poverty and other social injustices.

Community development gained popularity very fast. People begun to realize that this was the best way through which the society would be developed was through an effort made from all the members of the society (Balshem 1993, p. 62).

Community development was viewed as the strategy through which the communities would be developed. From the United States, it spread to other countries like Canada and other developed nations. In the mid eighties, a number of philanthropists noted with concern that African countries and other developing nations were ridden with poverty among other social evils.

The gap between the governed and the governors was big, and these societies were not enlightened in many fronts. Community development was therefore the only way through which these societies could be developed. Currently, community development is seen as a very important approach of enhancing a prosperous society both in the developed and developing nations.

Community development is a concerted effort made by members of a given society that is geared towards the development of a given society. Jerry (2011, p. 54) argues that community development is an principle taken by moderate capitalists to ensure that although members of the society are to work for themselves to achieve specific goals in life, other well endowed members of the society should make an effort to ensure that they help the less fortunate.

Community development may take various fronts. As Lee (1989, p. 78) explains, the empowerment of the society may take social, economical or religious front. The most important concern of community development is the attainment of the basic needs. Margaret (2011, p. 23) notes that community development is currently viewed as being relevant in the developing countries, a concept that is very misleading.

When it was started, community development was to ensure that people were empowered in the three aspects named above. However, it was noted that before a person is empowered economically, other fronts of empowerment may not make sense. A person who is hungry may not understand the need to actively participate in the leadership of a given country.

As such, economic empowerment was given the first priority. Most of the developed societies do not have serious problem with the basic economic requirements.

For this reason, the economic front of community development has been relevant in the developing nations. The other front of community development is the political front. There has been need to ensure people participate in the leadership of the country. They should influence the way their country is governed.

Low (2000, p. 81) says that leadership starts from within the community. Good leadership within a given community would lead to desired results. As such, every members of the society would be required to participate actively in determining the direction that the leadership takes within that particular community.

Just like economic empowerment, economic empowerment is much needed in the developing countries. In many developed democracies like Australian, members of the society understands the need to actively participate in the leadership of the country.

Community development may also take the social approach. Civilization is one of the most controversial words in the current world. Each society considers itself civilized in its own front. An American, civilized in the western culture, would be astounded by the cultural practices of the Indians. They may consider the respect Indians accord cows as a backward behavior that is passed by time.

On the other hand, a Russian would be perplexed at the practices of the Muslims. An African would similarly be uncomfortable with the practices of the west (Hasson & Ley 1994, p. 29). Each of these societies would therefore have their own ways of defining civilization. However, there are some cultural practices of some societies that have been considered as archaic by most societies in the world.

For instance, some African societies would offer human offerings as a sacrifice to their gods when they needed rain or any other blessings that they believed could only come from god. Other still practice female genital mutilation. Such practices are inhumane because they result into serious harm to the specific individuals of the society.

On social front therefore, community development seeks to ensure that cultural practices of a given society do not in any way result into harm to other members of the society (Qiu 2006, p. 36).

It strives to ensure that the practices of the society are acceptable universally and that all the members of the society are treated equally and with the respect they deserve, irrespective of gender, color, religion or any other demographical groupings. The practice should also be geared towards the betterment of the society.

From the foregoing, it is evident that community development is one of the ways through which the society may develop without having to depend on other members of the society. It would take effort of both the public and private sectors to ensure that a given society is developed in all the fronts.

There has been need to have a ‘perfect’ community. Even among the developed nations, there has always been a feeling that something is missing. Recently, there was a public rebellion in Britain, one of the countries that are considered as the most developed in the world. In United States, there is pressure for the government to ensure that its citizens get employed as per their qualifications.

Other developed nations also have their own concerns that they feel should be addressed in order to have the ideal community. This need is even more among the developing nations. According to Robbins (2007, p. 20), most of the developed nations have a lot of challenges economically, socially and politically.

The government, through its public sectors, has the obligation to ensure that its citizens are provided with various facilities that would ensure their well being. Such facilities may include among others, hospitals, schools, accessibility to waters, source of employment among others. These are facilities that are very basic, and a community may not be considered complete without them.

Basically, the government would be expected to provide the above facilities to the community (Visser 2010, p. 31). However, it is common to find that the government has failed in one or two of the above requirements. In such occurrences, there must be a means of ensuring that the facilities that the government cannot provide are provided for through others means.

Community development has been one of the strategies through which communities have ensured that they are able to achieve beyond what the government cannot provide. This has made the work of the government easier. Because members of the society would be willing to support some of its projects, it can redirect its finances to other projects.

Community development is very relevant in the public sector. As Martine (2008, p. 89) states, in order to ensure prosperity of a given society, there is need to involve every member of the society. Government effort alone may not achieve the best results that the society expects.

Community development is the best strategy that can be applied to ensure that the society is developed in all fronts. Government may build a hospital within a given location of a community. However, this facility may either be too far for a section of the society, or it may not be well equipped to serve the need of all the members of the society.

Through community development, other well endowed members of the society may consider improving the facility, by either offering to buy the facilities needed for the hospital or building other supportive clinics that may help decongest the existing government health facility (Zhao 2011, p. 37).

This combined effort by the government and members of the society would make it easy for the society to realize its dreams with much ease. Similarly, government may build a school. However, the community should come in to finance the school as per their own expectations.

Supplementing government effort in this manner makes it easy to have such infrastructural developments much easier. Through this partnership, the government would find it ease in achieving its development goals. It would be easy to ensure that projects that require huge investments are completed within the desirable time.

The benefits that community development offers the public sector is as numerous as can be seen above. However, at times there arises some resistance towards community development by the public sector. The first conflict always arises due to conflict of interest. The effort of the community development team may seem to be conflicting with the government effort.

This is especially so when the empowerment is on the political front (Hofstede 2005, p. 68). Some countries, especially in the aristocratic and dictatorial leaderships, governments have been keen to ensure that the community remains less empowered politically. This makes it easy for the government to manipulate them.

When an organization comes in to sensitize the society on their rights to actively participate in the leadership of the society, it would be viewed as a direct interference to the efforts of the government and this would be met by resistance.

In some extreme cases, some governments have been keen to ensure that the community remains less empowered economically. As Meng (2010, p. 73) once said, it is very easy to control the less economically empowered members of the society because they will be struggling to get the basics in the society. An effort to empower such a society economically will be met by some form of resistance.

Some cases may involve conflicting priorities. Community development team may have a priority that may be contrasting that of the government. In such cases, the government may be trying to implement a policy across the whole country. However, the community may have a different view as to what project they need most urgently.

As such, community development may meet some form of resistance from the private sector. When the private sector fails to support community development, the projects may take longer than the expected duration, or at times it may completely fail. This is because the private sector is a major financer of community development projects.

Withdrawing their financial assistance may mean that such projects would have to get other alternative financial sources in order to be implemented. If such alternative financing fail to come, the project may completely stall.

Community development is also very important in the private sector. Just like the public sector, private sector is also geared towards ensuring that the community is developed. The private sector works in a similar front as public sector but as different entities. The private sector stands to gain a lot in case of the success of the projects set forth for community development.

Through community development, such micro-finance facilities may be developed to empower the society economically. When such facilities are developed, the private sector stands to benefit a lot because their financing solutions would have been made easier. Through an effort of community development facilitators and government, such infrastructures like roads can be developed.

As such, the private sectors would find it easy to undertake their activities through improved transport system. Such other facilities as hospitals and availability of water would make it easy for the private sector to undertake their duties. They would be working in an environment that has basic infrastructural requirements.

Although the private sector has a lot to benefit from community development, there has been some form of resistance from some quarters. The main form of resistance always comes from competing interests. Some of the activities of community development offer direct challenge to the private sector.

According to Hakim (2000, p. 79), most of the projects undertaken in community development are always meant to ensure that the community is economically empowered. Some of the projects may involve starring businesses for some members of the society. This would directly affect the section of the private sector that was involved in that particular business.

In this case, the private sector would not view community development as a partner in the development of the society, but a competitor that threatens to push it out of the market. Just like any other competitor, community development would face a lot of resistance from the private sector. In some cases, community development may pose a real threat to community development.

For instance, some not for profit organizations would offer free medications to the public as a way of ensuring that the community has good health. However, this would have direct negative effect to the private firms like pharmacies.

There arise situations where resistance would come from the concerned individuals that are involved in undertaking certain projects in community development. As stated above, community development refers to principles and values geared towards ensuring that a given community is liberated.

Because different people would reason differently, the principles that a given party would support may be different from what another party would have. Anarchy may arise especially when both parties insist on their strategies as being the best. One party may accuse the other of bringing strategies that do not work, while the other may also view the other group as fronting strategies that are not workable.

Such antagonistic relationship within community development itself poses great challenge to prosperity of the intended projects. Much of the resources would be spent on choosing which approach to take in undertaking certain duties. Furthermore, even after one approach is taken, the party whose strategy was not taken would most likely fail to support the project.

On the contrary, they may bring in strategies that would ensure that the project fails just to prove that their strategy would have worked better were it to be chosen. Caves (2007, p. 36) says that most projects would fail because of such misunderstanding.

Besides government interferences, this scholar notes that in-fights among the implementing partners is the most destructive factor that would interfere with the success of community development.

Community development is one of the best ways through which a given society can develop its structures. It started out in the United States in early sixties as a way of ensuring that members of the society who were economically challenged get elevated economically. Community development was also motivated by the need to have a society where equality of the citizens is respected both socially and politically.

It moved to other countries when people realized that it was the best approach through which different societies could be developed.

Currently, community development is very popular in the developing countries. In these countries, there is a serious need to ensure economic empowerment as other members of the society live on deplorable conditions. This has made community development be viewed as an approach fit for the developing nations. However, it is very helpful both to the developed and developing nations.

Community development has a lot to offer to the public and private sector. To the public sector, it helps in ensuring that the infrastructure is developed. Through this combined effort, a given community would be able to develop such facilities as schools, hospitals and other related facilities.

To the private sector, community development comes as a tool that allows the concerned involved to work in collaboration to ensure that the society is self sufficient. Community development is very vital to the private sector. Through it, the infrastructure of a given society will be developed.

When such facilities as roads, banking institutions and even hospitals are developed, the private sector would find it very easy to progress in their activities.

Despite the obvious benefits community development has to offer to the public and private sectors, it has met some resistance from both of these sectors and within itself. From the public sector, many government or government institutions view the activities involved in community development as a challenge to their leadership, or conflicting their own projects.

For this reason, such public sectors may fail to support the projects for the community development. This would pose a challenge to the success of these projects.

To the private sector, some of the project may pose challenge to their prosperity, hence making them view community development as an impediment to their development. Within community development itself, there may be resistance, especially when there seems to be a contradiction in the approach that should be taken to accomplish a given project.

Balshem, M 1993, Cancer in the community: Class and medical authority , Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington.

Caves, RE 2007, Multinational enterprise and economic analysis, Cambridge University Press, London.

Hakim, C 2000, Research Design: Sucessful Designs for Social and Economic Research, Routledge, New York.

Hasson, S & Ley D 1994, Neighborhood organization and the Welfare State, University of Toronto Press, Toronto.

Hofstede, G 2005, Culture’s consequences: International differences in work-related values . 2nd edn, Sage, London.

James, D & Susan, S 2009, The Community Development Reader , Taylor & Francis, New York.

Jerry, W 2011, Introduction to Community Development: Theory, Practice, and Service-Learning , SAGE, London.

Lee, C 1989, Community Development as a Process , University of Missouri Press, New York.

Low, N 2000, C onsuming cities: the urban environment in the global economy after the Rio Declaration , Routledge, London.

Margaret, L 2011, Community Development: A Critical Approach The Policy Press . New York.

Martine, G 2008, The new global frontier urbanization, poverty and environment in the 21st century , Earthscan, London.

Meng, X 2010, The great migration: rural-urban migration in China and Indonesia, Edward Elgar, Cheltenham.

Qiu, X.2006, A case of two cities , St. Martin’s Minotaur, New York.

Rhonda, P & Robert, H 2009, An Introduction to Community Development , Taylor & Francis, New York.

Robbins, P 2007, Encyclopedia of environment and society , Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks.

Visser, R 2010, Cities surround the countryside: urban aesthetics in post-socialist China . Duke University Press, Durham.

Zhao, J 2011, Towards sustainable cities in China analysis and assessment of some Chinese cities in 2008 , Springer, New York.

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Home — Essay Samples — Business — Strategy — Community Development

Essays on Community Development

Writing an essay on community development is crucial as it helps to raise awareness and understanding of the concept. It also allows individuals to explore the various aspects of community development, such as social, economic, and environmental factors, and how they all interconnect to create a thriving community.

When writing an essay on community development, it is important to consider the following tips:

• Research: Start by conducting thorough research on the topic. Look for scholarly articles, books, and reputable sources to gather information and data on community development.
• Outline: Create a clear and concise outline that outlines the main points you want to cover in your essay. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you cover all necessary aspects of community development.
• Clarity and Precision: Use clear and precise language to convey your ideas. Avoid using jargon or overly complex language that could confuse the reader.
• Examples and Case Studies: Incorporate real-life examples and case studies to illustrate your points and provide a deeper understanding of community development in action.
• Impact and Solutions: Discuss the impact of community development and potential solutions to address any challenges or issues within a community.
• Critical Thinking: Encourage critical thinking by analyzing different perspectives and theories related to community development. This will help to provide a well-rounded and comprehensive view of the topic.

By following these tips, you can effectively write an essay on community development that is informative, engaging, and thought-provoking.

Community development is an important aspect of social change and improvement. It involves working with community members to identify and address issues that affect their well-being and quality of life. There are many topics that can be explored in community development essays, ranging from the role of government in community development to the impact of globalization on local communities. Here is a long list of community development essay topics to consider:

• The role of community development in addressing poverty and inequality
• The impact of community development on social and economic empowerment
• The importance of community participation in the development process
• The role of government in supporting community development initiatives
• The challenges of community development in rural areas
• The impact of community development on public health outcomes
• The role of community development in promoting environmental sustainability
• The impact of community development on education and skill development
• The role of community development in promoting cultural preservation and heritage
• The impact of community development on crime and safety
• The role of community development in promoting gender equality and women's rights
• The impact of community development on social cohesion and community resilience
• The role of community development in addressing urbanization and urban development
• The impact of community development on housing and infrastructure
• The role of community development in promoting entrepreneurship and economic development
• The impact of community development on food security and agriculture
• The role of community development in promoting access to basic services such as water and sanitation
• The impact of community development on disaster risk reduction and management
• The role of community development in promoting social justice and human rights
• The impact of community development on mental health and well-being
• The role of community development in promoting intergenerational solidarity and youth engagement
• The impact of community development on indigenous and marginalized communities
• The role of community development in promoting peace and conflict resolution
• The impact of community development on migration and refugee integration
• The role of community development in promoting inclusive and sustainable growth
• The impact of community development on technology and digital inclusion
• The role of community development in promoting civic engagement and democracy
• The impact of community development on aging and elderly care
• The role of community development in promoting sports and recreation
• The impact of community development on social entrepreneurship and innovation

These are just some of the many topics that can be explored in community development essays. Each of these topics offers a unique perspective on the role and impact of community development on society. By exploring these topics, students can gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in community development and contribute to the ongoing dialogue on how to build stronger, more resilient communities.

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How to Write the Community Essay – Guide with Examples (2023-24)

September 6, 2023

Students applying to college this year will inevitably confront the community essay. In fact, most students will end up responding to several community essay prompts for different schools. For this reason, you should know more than simply how to approach the community essay as a genre. Rather, you will want to learn how to decipher the nuances of each particular prompt, in order to adapt your response appropriately. In this article, we’ll show you how to do just that, through several community essay examples. These examples will also demonstrate how to avoid cliché and make the community essay authentically and convincingly your own.

Emphasis on Community

Do keep in mind that inherent in the word “community” is the idea of multiple people. The personal statement already provides you with a chance to tell the college admissions committee about yourself as an individual. The community essay, however, suggests that you depict yourself among others. You can use this opportunity to your advantage by showing off interpersonal skills, for example. Or, perhaps you wish to relate a moment that forged important relationships. This in turn will indicate what kind of connections you’ll make in the classroom with college peers and professors.

Apart from comprising numerous people, a community can appear in many shapes and sizes. It could be as small as a volleyball team, or as large as a diaspora. It could fill a town soup kitchen, or spread across five boroughs. In fact, due to the internet, certain communities today don’t even require a physical place to congregate. Communities can form around a shared identity, shared place, shared hobby, shared ideology, or shared call to action. They can even arise due to a shared yet unforeseen circumstance.

What is the Community Essay All About?             

In a nutshell, the community essay should exhibit three things:

• An aspect of yourself, 2. in the context of a community you belonged to, and 3. how this experience may shape your contribution to the community you’ll join in college.

It may look like a fairly simple equation: 1 + 2 = 3. However, each college will word their community essay prompt differently, so it’s important to look out for additional variables. One college may use the community essay as a way to glimpse your core values. Another may use the essay to understand how you would add to diversity on campus. Some may let you decide in which direction to take it—and there are many ways to go!

To get a better idea of how the prompts differ, let’s take a look at some real community essay prompts from the current admission cycle.

Sample 2023-2024 Community Essay Prompts

1) brown university.

“Students entering Brown often find that making their home on College Hill naturally invites reflection on where they came from. Share how an aspect of your growing up has inspired or challenged you, and what unique contributions this might allow you to make to the Brown community. (200-250 words)”

A close reading of this prompt shows that Brown puts particular emphasis on place. They do this by using the words “home,” “College Hill,” and “where they came from.” Thus, Brown invites writers to think about community through the prism of place. They also emphasize the idea of personal growth or change, through the words “inspired or challenged you.” Therefore, Brown wishes to see how the place you grew up in has affected you. And, they want to know how you in turn will affect their college community.

“NYU was founded on the belief that a student’s identity should not dictate the ability for them to access higher education. That sense of opportunity for all students, of all backgrounds, remains a part of who we are today and a critical part of what makes us a world-class university. Our community embraces diversity, in all its forms, as a cornerstone of the NYU experience.

We would like to better understand how your experiences would help us to shape and grow our diverse community. Please respond in 250 words or less.”

Here, NYU places an emphasis on students’ “identity,” “backgrounds,” and “diversity,” rather than any physical place. (For some students, place may be tied up in those ideas.) Furthermore, while NYU doesn’t ask specifically how identity has changed the essay writer, they do ask about your “experience.” Take this to mean that you can still recount a specific moment, or several moments, that work to portray your particular background. You should also try to link your story with NYU’s values of inclusivity and opportunity.

3) University of Washington

“Our families and communities often define us and our individual worlds. Community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the UW. (300 words max) Tip: Keep in mind that the UW strives to create a community of students richly diverse in cultural backgrounds, experiences, values and viewpoints.”

UW ’s community essay prompt may look the most approachable, for they help define the idea of community. You’ll notice that most of their examples (“families,” “cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood”…) place an emphasis on people. This may clue you in on their desire to see the relationships you’ve made. At the same time, UW uses the words “individual” and “richly diverse.” They, like NYU, wish to see how you fit in and stand out, in order to boost campus diversity.

Writing Your First Community Essay

Begin by picking which community essay you’ll write first. (For practical reasons, you’ll probably want to go with whichever one is due earliest.) Spend time doing a close reading of the prompt, as we’ve done above. Underline key words. Try to interpret exactly what the prompt is asking through these keywords.

Next, brainstorm. I recommend doing this on a blank piece of paper with a pencil. Across the top, make a row of headings. These might be the communities you’re a part of, or the components that make up your identity. Then, jot down descriptive words underneath in each column—whatever comes to you. These words may invoke people and experiences you had with them, feelings, moments of growth, lessons learned, values developed, etc. Now, narrow in on the idea that offers the richest material and that corresponds fully with the prompt.

Lastly, write! You’ll definitely want to describe real moments, in vivid detail. This will keep your essay original, and help you avoid cliché. However, you’ll need to summarize the experience and answer the prompt succinctly, so don’t stray too far into storytelling mode.

How To Adapt Your Community Essay

Once your first essay is complete, you’ll need to adapt it to the other colleges involving community essays on your list. Again, you’ll want to turn to the prompt for a close reading, and recognize what makes this prompt different from the last. For example, let’s say you’ve written your essay for UW about belonging to your swim team, and how the sports dynamics shaped you. Adapting that essay to Brown’s prompt could involve more of a focus on place. You may ask yourself, how was my swim team in Alaska different than the swim teams we competed against in other states?

Once you’ve adapted the content, you’ll also want to adapt the wording to mimic the prompt. For example, let’s say your UW essay states, “Thinking back to my years in the pool…” As you adapt this essay to Brown’s prompt, you may notice that Brown uses the word “reflection.” Therefore, you might change this sentence to “Reflecting back on my years in the pool…” While this change is minute, it cleverly signals to the reader that you’ve paid attention to the prompt, and are giving that school your full attention.

What to Avoid When Writing the Community Essay  

• Avoid cliché. Some students worry that their idea is cliché, or worse, that their background or identity is cliché. However, what makes an essay cliché is not the content, but the way the content is conveyed. This is where your voice and your descriptions become essential.
• Avoid giving too many examples. Stick to one community, and one or two anecdotes arising from that community that allow you to answer the prompt fully.
• Don’t exaggerate or twist facts. Sometimes students feel they must make themselves sound more “diverse” than they feel they are. Luckily, diversity is not a feeling. Likewise, diversity does not simply refer to one’s heritage. If the prompt is asking about your identity or background, you can show the originality of your experiences through your actions and your thinking.

Community Essay Examples and Analysis

Brown university community essay example.

I used to hate the NYC subway. I’ve taken it since I was six, going up and down Manhattan, to and from school. By high school, it was a daily nightmare. Spending so much time underground, underneath fluorescent lighting, squashed inside a rickety, rocking train car among strangers, some of whom wanted to talk about conspiracy theories, others who had bedbugs or B.O., or who manspread across two seats, or bickered—it wore me out. The challenge of going anywhere seemed absurd. I dreaded the claustrophobia and disgruntlement.

Yet the subway also inspired my understanding of community. I will never forget the morning I saw a man, several seats away, slide out of his seat and hit the floor. The thump shocked everyone to attention. What we noticed: he appeared drunk, possibly homeless. I was digesting this when a second man got up and, through a sort of awkward embrace, heaved the first man back into his seat. The rest of us had stuck to subway social codes: don’t step out of line. Yet this second man’s silent actions spoke loudly. They said, “I care.”

That day I realized I belong to a group of strangers. What holds us together is our transience, our vulnerabilities, and a willingness to assist. This community is not perfect but one in motion, a perpetual work-in-progress. Now I make it my aim to hold others up. I plan to contribute to the Brown community by helping fellow students and strangers in moments of precariousness.    

Brown University Community Essay Example Analysis

Here the student finds an original way to write about where they come from. The subway is not their home, yet it remains integral to ideas of belonging. The student shows how a community can be built between strangers, in their responsibility toward each other. The student succeeds at incorporating key words from the prompt (“challenge,” “inspired” “Brown community,” “contribute”) into their community essay.

UW Community Essay Example

I grew up in Hawaii, a world bound by water and rich in diversity. In school we learned that this sacred land was invaded, first by Captain Cook, then by missionaries, whalers, traders, plantation owners, and the U.S. government. My parents became part of this problematic takeover when they moved here in the 90s. The first community we knew was our church congregation. At the beginning of mass, we shook hands with our neighbors. We held hands again when we sang the Lord’s Prayer. I didn’t realize our church wasn’t “normal” until our diocese was informed that we had to stop dancing hula and singing Hawaiian hymns. The order came from the Pope himself.

Eventually, I lost faith in God and organized institutions. I thought the banning of hula—an ancient and pure form of expression—seemed medieval, ignorant, and unfair, given that the Hawaiian religion had already been stamped out. I felt a lack of community and a distrust for any place in which I might find one. As a postcolonial inhabitant, I could never belong to the Hawaiian culture, no matter how much I valued it. Then, I was shocked to learn that Queen Ka’ahumanu herself had eliminated the Kapu system, a strict code of conduct in which women were inferior to men. Next went the Hawaiian religion. Queen Ka’ahumanu burned all the temples before turning to Christianity, hoping this religion would offer better opportunities for her people.

Community Essay (Continued)

I’m not sure what to make of this history. Should I view Queen Ka’ahumanu as a feminist hero, or another failure in her islands’ tragedy? Nothing is black and white about her story, but she did what she thought was beneficial to her people, regardless of tradition. From her story, I’ve learned to accept complexity. I can disagree with institutionalized religion while still believing in my neighbors. I am a product of this place and their presence. At UW, I plan to add to campus diversity through my experience, knowing that diversity comes with contradictions and complications, all of which should be approached with an open and informed mind.

UW Community Essay Example Analysis

This student also manages to weave in words from the prompt (“family,” “community,” “world,” “product of it,” “add to the diversity,” etc.). Moreover, the student picks one of the examples of community mentioned in the prompt, (namely, a religious group,) and deepens their answer by addressing the complexity inherent in the community they’ve been involved in. While the student displays an inner turmoil about their identity and participation, they find a way to show how they’d contribute to an open-minded campus through their values and intellectual rigor.

What’s Next

For more on supplemental essays and essay writing guides, check out the following articles:

• How to Write the Why This Major Essay + Example
• How to Write the Overcoming Challenges Essay + Example
• How to Start a College Essay – 12 Techniques and Tips
• College Essay

Kaylen Baker

With a BA in Literary Studies from Middlebury College, an MFA in Fiction from Columbia University, and a Master’s in Translation from Université Paris 8 Vincennes-Saint-Denis, Kaylen has been working with students on their writing for over five years. Previously, Kaylen taught a fiction course for high school students as part of Columbia Artists/Teachers, and served as an English Language Assistant for the French National Department of Education. Kaylen is an experienced writer/translator whose work has been featured in Los Angeles Review, Hybrid, San Francisco Bay Guardian, France Today, and Honolulu Weekly, among others.

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Measuring the impact of community development: a conversation with paul mattessich of wilder research.

July 1, 2011

Article Highlights

Measuring impacts necessary

Logic model best way to assess outputs, outcomes

Data more accessible, measures standardized in future

Community development practitioners want to be more effective. Their funders want to gauge the value of their investments. Policymakers want to demonstrate cost savings. And everyone wants to know: How did the community really benefit?

The ability to measure results has become increasingly important for community development organizations and other entities that rely on government and philanthropic funding to carry out their work. Those of us in the community development field know our work is valuable, but how can we effectively measure its impact? How can we keep the costs and complexities of a measurement system from getting out of hand? And how does our work affect broader community trends? To explore these questions, Community Dividend spoke with Paul Mattessich, Ph.D., executive director of Wilder Research.

A division of the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation in St. Paul, Minn., Wilder Research is one of the largest and most prominent nonprofit research institutions in the United States. Since 1917, Wilder Research has conducted hundreds of studies on community conditions and the effectiveness of health and human service programs. Mattessich has headed Wilder Research since 1982. In addition to leading projects and studies, he frequently lectures and writes on the topics of social trends, community building, and organizational effectiveness.

Community Dividend: You've led a number of projects at Wilder Research that involve measuring program effectiveness and impact. What does it mean to measure the impact of community development work, and why is it an important thing to do?

Paul Mattessich: To understand the term "measurement of community development," it's important to understand the difference between measuring the process of development and measuring the outcomes of development. In some cases, measurement involves simply tracking an organization's activities, such as the number of individuals it trained. That is process. Measuring outcomes involves tracking whether a program or initiative actually had the intended effect and whether it improved the community in some way. Did it change residents' behavior? Did it produce any social or economic benefits?

Measuring the impact of community development work is important because the issues that the Federal Reserve and community development organizations are working on are truly significant for enabling communities to succeed. Communities need a strong economic infrastructure, and the only way to know if we've built it is to measure whether it's happened. Also, we want to be able to do our work as effectively and efficiently as possible. The only way to achieve that is to measure—to understand what we're doing and where it works and doesn't work, so that we can strive to improve it.

If organizations don't measure their impact, they risk not being able to demonstrate the effectiveness of their programs. They risk not being able to motivate the community by showing people what a difference their programs really make. They risk losing out on the opportunities to bring in more human and financial capital and to identify their strengths and weaknesses. Organizations risk losing a great deal if they don't have good measurement.

CD: What do you think is the best way to measure the impact of a community development program or initiative?

PM: When it comes to measuring impact, I think it's valuable for practitioners and policymakers to think in terms of a logic model. It's a visual model that uses a sequential point of view to measure the results of an effort. It starts out with the inputs that go into a community development effort, such as resources and materials. Then it moves on to activities: What is it that an organization actually did? Then to outputs: the immediate, countable results from those activities. And then to outcomes: What happened as a result of the effort, both in the short term and the long term? Examples of outputs include the number of small business loans granted, the number of housing units built, and the number of residents who attended training seminars. In terms of outcomes, we can ask questions, such as, Did residents' access to retail and services increase? Did access to affordable housing increase? Did crime rates decrease? If we clearly identify our intended outcomes and measure them, we can demonstrate whether our efforts really did have a positive impact.

CD: Given the complexities of community conditions, how can an organization be sure that its effort was truly responsible for an observed change in a community?

PM: That's an important question. If there is a change, was it because of us or because of the many other things happening in the community at the same time? Going back to the logic model framework that I mentioned, outputs are relatively easy to attribute to a specific program. If an organization provides training to a hundred people, you can obviously attribute that to the program. It becomes more complex when we move to outcomes. In most cases, it's possible to establish whether or not a program actually contributed to a particular outcome or set of outcomes, but it requires having a good comparison. By that, I mean that we need to look at several locations that have a given program in place and compare them to similar locations that don't have that program.

For example, let's say we want to measure the impact of a community development initiative in rural communities that have populations under 20,000. We can find other rural communities of similar size and condition that aren't part of the initiative and use them as a comparison. If, after a few years, the communities with the initiative have stronger, higher-capacity organizations, more commercial activity, populations that are declining less rapidly, or whatever the desired outcomes are, we can be reasonably sure that it's because of our community development initiative. And the reason we can be sure is because we have a good, solid comparison.

CD: What about the cost? Is it possible to measure impact without spending a lot of money?

PM: It's important to understand that it does cost money to evaluate impact. There's no way around it. That being said, there are some low-cost, creative ways to do at least certain parts of your evaluation. One way is to avoid the cost of collecting data by using measures that are already being tracked. For many communities, there are existing data on housing conditions, crime rates, work force participation rates, poverty rates, and other demographic characteristics that are available through the U.S. Census Bureau or local government agencies.

Another approach is to identify data that are easily obtainable at very little cost. For example, if the intended outcome is to increase the number of businesses on blocks that have been largely abandoned, it's very easy to walk down those blocks and count up how many storefronts are vacant and boarded up, and then walk down those same blocks one year later and see if that number has changed. A third way to save money is to team up with similar organizations and use a single evaluation or survey. An evaluation that is cost-prohibitive for a single organization can be affordable if three or four organizations are willing to share the cost of the design. A nonprofit can also establish its own logic model by using free or low-cost guides that are published by institutions that do this type of work. That doesn't mean an evaluation can always be done without professional help. Sometimes it does require hiring a social scientist or an economist, but there are many situations where it does not.

CD: A number of states and cities have established community indicators projects. Can you tell readers more about this method of community measurement?

PM: The purpose of community indicators projects is to identify the critical ingredients of community success, measure them, and promote action in order to push social and economic trends in a positive direction. We have a lot of experience working with community indicators at Wilder Research. We're currently responsible for the oversight of a web-based indicators project called Minnesota Compass. It's been under way for over five years now and has about ten focal areas in which we do measurement, including housing, health, education, public safety, and the economy. For each area, we identified three or four key measures that together provide a reading on whether communities in Minnesota are getting better or worse and how the state compares to the U.S. overall.

CD: How does the work of community development organizations relate to those sorts of community measures? And how important is that work when it comes to moving trends in a positive direction?

PM: I'll give you some examples of how it relates. One measure of community well-being is housing affordability, which can be quantified by the number of households that face a housing-cost burden. A household is considered "cost-burdened" if its housing costs equal 30 percent or more of its monthly gross income. Community development efforts that increase the supply of affordable housing can decrease the proportion of cost-burdened households. In the area of public safety, crime rates are a widely used measure. Efforts that bring neighbors together and support small business development can have a positive impact on crime rates and residents' perceptions of neighborhood safety. Small business development can also lead to increased work force participation, which is a key measure of economic health. For example, Wilder Research's evaluation of the Neighborhood Development Center in St. Paul has shown the impact that neighborhood entrepreneurs can have on job creation and other countable measures of economic success. Community development organizations can have a major impact on trends when they target specific locations, identify the strengths and weaknesses of those locations, and then try to build on those strengths and remedy those weaknesses. I think their work is extremely significant, especially at the micro level.

CD: How can community development organizations build on the momentum of existing community measurement efforts?

PM: They can commit to the use of measures that fit within a logic model and demonstrate how the use of those measures over time can lead to continuous improvement. They can choose established, readily available measures that anyone can understand and accept, and use those measures to celebrate progress and motivate people to do even more. Also, organizations in Minnesota can get involved in Minnesota Compass by visiting the project online at www.mncompass.org. In addition, we plan to expand Compass into North Dakota and South Dakota within the next year, and we're approaching our expansion in a way that isn't strictly proprietary. We plan to provide the infrastructure, but community leaders in the Dakotas will contribute to the development of their respective sites and will be empowered to continue Compass in a way that meets their needs locally.

CD: For other geographic areas in the Ninth District, what advice do you have for starting a community indicators project or simply starting a conversation about community measurement?

PM: States all have slightly different characteristics, but each state can apply the common framework that underlies community indicators projects. This framework can work for smaller geographic areas as well. The only exception would be if there is a lack of population that makes the numbers too small to be reliable.

If I were to start from scratch, I'd identify the key stakeholders who have a reason to want the measurement to occur, and then I'd find someone from a local university, extension service, or research organization—whichever is most accessible—who could bring some technical advice to the table. The next steps would be to define what the community wants to achieve, identify how it might measure its progress toward those goals, and determine what's actually feasible in terms of cost.

CD: What would you say is the biggest challenge community groups face when they get together to have this conversation?

PM: I think sometimes there's a tendency for the conversation to become overly complex. My advice would be to keep things simple, focus on a few key measures, and tie those measures to what you feel are the most important goals you want to achieve. Don't try to measure absolutely everything, because you are likely to get bogged down.

CD: Based on your experience, what types of community measures resonate best with funders and policymakers?

PM: First, measures that funders and policymakers have had a hand in developing. No measure is perfect, but people will buy into measures that they feel they own, so whenever possible, you should include these stakeholders in the selection of your measures before you gather your data. Second, the more a measure relates to a positive cost-benefit, the more appealing it will be to policymakers.

CD: Systems for community measurement are constantly evolving. Where do you see the field headed in the next five years?

PM: Data that can be used to measure community conditions are becoming more accessible—not just for professional statisticians and demographers, but for people who work on the ground—and I think that trend will continue. It used to be that we could only get data at the time of the census. Now, data for small geographic areas with populations of less than 20,000 are available annually. Within the next five years, I think it'll be much easier for people to get data for geographies that they define, not just those that are predetermined. Also, I think we'll continue to see organizations gravitate toward using more standardized measures of community well-being.

CD: What would you say to readers who are skeptical about the feasibility of measuring impact or are hesitant to commit resources to a measurement effort?

PM: I'd say that programs or interventions may have some unmeasurable impacts, but it is always possible to measure something . There isn't any community development effort that doesn't have at least some measurable effects, in terms of desired outcomes and in terms of cost-benefit.

The real value of quantitative measurement is that if you can get people to agree ahead of time on what the goals are and what the best measures are, then after you've tried an intervention, everyone will also agree on whether it worked. It puts everyone on the same page in terms of knowing what to expect, what to hope for, and what to work toward. And measuring our outcomes not only allows us to set goals to improve our impacts over time, it helps ensure that we are having the maximum impact for the dollars we're spending. All in all, it just makes great common sense.

For a visual summary of the impact-measurement process, see the diagram below.

Click on diagram to view larger image

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Giving Back To The Community Essay: Impact & Inspiration

Aurora Simon

Welcome to our article on the impact and inspiration of giving back to the community essay writing. Community involvement is crucial for the development and progress of neighborhoods, and writing essays about it can help raise awareness about the importance of social responsibility and volunteering. In this section, we will explore the concept of giving back to the community and how it can make a positive impact on society. We will discuss how writing essays about community involvement can inform and inspire others to get involved and make a difference. Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

List of Already Created Essays on Giving Back to the Community

Here is a list of essays that have been completed on giving back to the community. As time goes on, we will update this area.

Writing a Good Essay for the Community, First Steps

Community Service: What Is It All About?

Community service refers to volunteering one’s time and expertise for the betterment of the community. It is a form of social responsibility that involves working with others to create positive societal change. Community service can take many forms, from tutoring children to cleaning parks and delivering meals to the elderly.

The reasons people participate in community service are varied. For some, it is a way to give back to the community that has supported them. For others, it is a way to meet new people, learn new skills, and gain experience. Still, others participate in community service to fulfill a sense of civic duty or to contribute to a cause they are passionate about.

Volunteering is a key component of community service, and it promotes social responsibility. By giving their time and energy to others, volunteers help build stronger, more connected communities. They also serve as role models for others to follow.

The benefits of community service are numerous. It can improve social skills, increase self-confidence, and foster a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Additionally, community service provides opportunities to learn new skills, gain practical work experience, and make professional connections that can lead to future job opportunities.

The Importance Of Giving Back To The Community

Giving back to the community is crucial for the progress and development of neighborhoods. Philanthropy, community involvement, and engagement are essential components of community development. When individuals and groups work together, they can make a significant impact on their communities.

Community involvement has numerous benefits for those who participate in it. It fosters a sense of belonging and purpose, promotes personal growth and development, and provides opportunities for social interaction and networking. By giving back to the community, individuals can also improve their mental and physical well-being.

Community engagement is key to building strong, thriving communities. It promotes a sense of collective responsibility and encourages individuals to take an active role in shaping the future of their neighborhoods. By working together, community members can identify and address social issues and community needs more effectively and efficiently.

Philanthropy is another critical aspect of community development . Corporations, organizations, and individuals can make a significant impact through charitable donations and volunteer work. Philanthropy helps to fill gaps in funding and resources and can lead to the creation of new programs and initiatives that benefit the community as a whole.

The Power of Community Service Essays

Essay writing is a powerful tool for promoting community impact and raising awareness about social issues and community needs. Through essay writing, individuals can inform, educate, and inspire others to take action and get involved in community service efforts. Essays can also provide a platform for marginalized voices to share their experiences and perspectives.

Community service essays can showcase the impact of volunteering and philanthropy and encourage others to get involved. They can also highlight specific social issues and community needs and advocate for change and progress.

“Community service is a way of giving back to the community and making a difference in the lives of others. It is important for individuals and groups to work together to create a better future for our communities.”

Becoming Involved in Community Service

Community service involvement is easy and can be done in various ways. Volunteering with local organizations and charities is an excellent way to give back to the community. Individuals can also participate in community events and initiatives or start their own projects to address specific needs in their neighborhoods.

By becoming involved in community service, individuals can gain new skills and experiences, build their resumes, and make meaningful connections with others in their communities. They can also contribute to the greater good and positively impact the lives of those around them.

The Significance of Community Involvement for Students

Community involvement is particularly significant for students. It provides opportunities for personal growth and development, skill-building, and academic advancement. By participating in community service, students can learn new skills and gain valuable experiences to help them in their future careers.

Community involvement can also enhance college and career readiness and give students a competitive advantage in the job market. It shows potential employers that students are committed to making a difference and are willing to work hard to achieve their goals.

Helping Give Back

Giving back to the community is crucial for building strong, thriving neighborhoods. It fosters a sense of collective responsibility, encourages individuals to take an active role in shaping the future of their communities, and provides numerous benefits for those who participate in it. By becoming involved in community service and essay writing, individuals can make a meaningful impact on the world around them.

Essay Writing: A Powerful Tool For Community Impact

Essay writing can be a powerful tool for promoting community impact and social change. Whether it’s raising awareness about a particular issue, offering insights into the challenges a specific community faces, or sharing personal experiences and reflections, essays can inform, educate, and inspire readers.

Regarding community service essays, the key is to focus on the impact and outcomes of your service activities. Share stories and examples that highlight the positive changes that have taken place in the community as a result of your efforts.

“In the end, it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished. It’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.” – Denzel Washington

When crafting your essay, pay attention to your tone and message. You want to inspire and engage your readers while conveying the seriousness and importance of the issues.

Examples of successful community service essays include personal stories of transformation and growth, as well as persuasive arguments for change and action. Regardless of your approach, be sure to keep your audience in mind and tailor your writing to their interests and needs.

Overall, essay writing can be a powerful and effective way to promote community impact. By sharing your experiences and insights, you can inspire others to get involved and make a difference in their own communities.

Community Service Examples And Inspiration

Community service can take many forms and can have a significant impact on neighborhoods and individuals. Let’s take a look at some inspiring examples of community service and the positive impact they’ve had:

These are just a few examples of how community service can make a difference. Whether it’s a small act of kindness or a large-scale project, every act of service has the potential to inspire and improve lives.

How To Get Involved In Community Service

Getting involved in community service is a rewarding way to give back and positively impact your community. Here are some practical tips to help you get started:

1. Identify your interests and skills

Think about what causes or issues you are passionate about and what skills you have to offer. This will help you find opportunities that align with your values and strengths.

2. Research local organizations

Look for local organizations that are involved in causes that interest you. You can find opportunities through volunteer websites, community centers, religious groups, or simply asking around.

3. Attend volunteer fairs

Volunteer fairs are great places to meet with different organizations and learn about their missions and opportunities. You can also network with other volunteers and get advice on how to get involved.

4. Start small

You don’t have to commit to a huge project right away. Start with a small volunteer opportunity and work your way up to longer-term commitments as you gain experience and confidence.

5. Bring a friend

Volunteering with a friend or group can make it more fun and fulfilling. You can also hold each other accountable and motivate each other to stay committed.

6. Be reliable and committed

Once you have committed to a volunteer opportunity, be reliable and show up on time. Make sure to communicate any changes or conflicts in advance. Being committed and consistent in your volunteer work is important for building trust and making a meaningful impact.

By following these tips, you can begin your journey to becoming a community service volunteer and making a positive difference in your community.

Essay Writing Tips For Community Service Essays

Writing a community service essay can be a powerful way to reflect on your experiences and share their impact with others. Here are some tips to help you create a great essay:

• Start with a clear introduction: Begin your essay with a brief overview of the project or activity you participated in, and explain why it was important to you.
• Show, don’t tell: Use concrete examples and personal anecdotes to illustrate your experiences and the impact they had on you and the community.
• Stay focused: Make sure your essay stays focused on the topic of community service and its impact. Avoid rambling or straying off-topic.
• Be honest: Reflect on your experiences honestly, both the successes and the challenges. Admitting difficulties can make your essay more powerful and relatable.
• Make your essay personal: Tie your experiences back to larger themes or life lessons that you learned through your community service. This will make your essay more impactful and memorable.
• End with a strong conclusion: Sum up your experiences and the impact they had, and leave the reader with a memorable take-away message.

Remember, the goal of your community service essay is to not only reflect on your experiences, but also inspire others to get involved in their communities and make a difference. By following these tips, you can create a powerful essay that encourages others to make a positive impact.

The Benefits Of Community Involvement For Students

Community involvement offers numerous benefits to students, both in terms of personal growth and academic advancement. By participating in community service and volunteering, students can:

• Develop leadership skills and gain experience working in a team environment.
• Improve communication skills and enhance their ability to interact with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Expand their knowledge and understanding of social issues and community needs.
• Build a sense of social responsibility and a desire to make a positive difference in the world.
• Enhance their college and career readiness by demonstrating a commitment to community service and social justice.

Moreover, community involvement can be a great way for students to explore different career paths and gain practical experience in their chosen field. Volunteer work and internships can provide valuable networking opportunities and help students develop important skills and contacts that can benefit them throughout their professional lives.

Overall, community involvement is a win-win for students and the community alike. It offers students the chance to grow and learn, while also contributing to the greater good and making a positive impact on society.

Corporate Social Responsibility And Community Impact

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is the responsibility of businesses to create a positive impact on society. CSR plays an important role in community development, as it enables businesses to contribute to the overall well-being of the community. It involves taking steps to improve social, environmental, and economic conditions, and to work with stakeholders to address social issues and challenges.

Businesses can significantly impact communities by engaging in philanthropic activities such as charitable donations, sponsorships, community service programs, and volunteering. By supporting local community projects and organizations, businesses can help address community needs, promote community development and growth, and build strong relationships with their customers and communities.

Through CSR, businesses can also enhance their reputation and brand image, attract and retain employees, and gain a competitive advantage. Consumers are increasingly aware of the impact of businesses on the environment and society, and are more likely to support companies that demonstrate a commitment to CSR. Additionally, employees are more motivated and engaged when they feel that they are working for a company that is making a positive impact.

The impact of CSR on community development cannot be overstated. By working together, businesses and communities can create a better future for everyone. Through partnerships and collaboration, businesses can leverage their resources and expertise to address social issues and create positive change. Community involvement and engagement are key components of CSR, and businesses that prioritize these values are more likely to achieve long-term success and sustainability.

Community Development Through Collaboration

Collaboration is a key factor in achieving successful community development. By working together, individuals, organizations, and businesses are able to pool their resources and expertise to address the unique needs of their communities. Through collaboration, community development efforts can become more effective, efficient, and sustainable, leading to long-term benefits for all involved.

One example of successful collaboration in community development is the partnership between local businesses and non-profit organizations. Businesses can provide financial support and resources, while non-profits can provide expertise and connections to the community. Together, they can create initiatives that address specific needs, such as affordable housing, job training, and education.

Another form of collaboration is community-based planning, which involves engaging community members in the development process. By involving residents in decision-making, planners can ensure that projects are tailored to the specific needs and desires of the community. This approach can lead to greater community buy-in and support for development initiatives.

Collaboration can also take the form of cross-sector partnerships, where organizations from different sectors come together to address a shared goal. For example, a healthcare organization, a housing non-profit, and a community development corporation might partner to address health disparities in a low-income community. They can create a comprehensive approach to community health by combining their expertise and resources.

Ultimately, collaboration is about building relationships and working together towards a common goal. Through partnerships and alliances, individuals and organizations can create a stronger, more resilient community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

The Future of Community Service and Essay Writing

As society continues to evolve, so too will the practices of community service and essay writing. The future of these practices is bright, with new opportunities and challenges arising every day.

One area in which community service is likely to grow is through the use of technology and social media. These tools can make it easier for individuals and groups to connect with one another, share resources and ideas, and promote their service efforts to a wider audience. As such, social media platforms and online collaboration tools will likely play an increasingly important role in community service and development.

Similarly, essay writing will continue to be a powerful tool for promoting awareness and advocacy around social issues and community needs. As the writing and publishing industry evolves, it may become easier for individuals to share their essays and reach a wider audience. This could include the use of digital publishing platforms, social media, and other online resources.

Another trend in community service and development is the increasing focus on collaboration and partnership. As we continue to face complex social and environmental challenges, it is clear that no one organization or individual can solve these issues alone. Instead, the focus will be on building strong networks of collaboration and partnership between individuals, organizations, and businesses to create more effective, sustainable solutions.

The Role of Young People in the Future of Community Service

Young people will continue to play an important role in the future of community service and development. As the next generation of leaders, they bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the table. They are also likely to be more technologically savvy, making them well-equipped to take advantage of new tools and resources for community service.

Moreover, community service can provide young people with valuable skills and experiences that will serve them well in the future. These might include leadership, communication, problem-solving, teamwork skills, and a deeper understanding of social issues and community needs.

Overall, the future of community service and essay writing is bright, with new opportunities for innovation and collaboration on the horizon. Whether through technology, partnership, or youth engagement, we can all work together to create positive change in our communities.

FAQ: Common Questions About Giving Back To The Community Essay

Are you considering writing a community service essay but have some questions you need answers to? We have compiled some of the most frequently asked questions about giving back to the community through essay writing.

What is the purpose of a community service essay?

A community service essay is designed to inform, educate, and inspire others about social issues and the importance of giving back to the community. The essay should highlight the writer’s personal experiences and reflections on their service work, as well as the impact they have had on the community.

What are the benefits of writing a community service essay?

Writing a community service essay can help you develop your writing skills, enhance your critical thinking abilities, and provide a platform to share your experiences and insights. It can also inspire others to get involved in their communities and make a positive impact.

How should I structure my community service essay?

When structuring your community service essay, it is important to include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The introduction should provide a brief overview of the project and its significance, while the body paragraphs should give details on your involvement and the impact you made. The conclusion should summarize your experience and reiterate the importance of community service .

What resources are available for finding community service opportunities?

There are many resources available for finding community service opportunities, including online databases, local non-profits, and school or university programs. You can also reach out to your community leaders or use social media platforms to connect with like-minded individuals.

How can I make my community service essay stand out?

To make your community service essay stand out, focus on being genuine and authentic. Share your personal experiences and reflections, and provide specific examples of how you made a difference in the community. Be creative with your writing style and use vivid language to engage your readers.

With these answers to some of the most common questions about giving back to the community through essay writing, we hope to inspire you to write a compelling essay and make a positive impact in your community.

About the author

With an enduring passion for human potential, I have dedicated my life to learning, growing, and most importantly, empowering others to discover their own unique paths to self-improvement. As a personal development blogger, I distill the wisdom gathered from various life experiences, books, seminars, and thought leaders to provide you with actionable insights and tools for your own growth. I believe that each one of us is capable of extraordinary things, and my mission is to help you unlock that potential. Join me on this journey of self-discovery, and together let’s cultivate a life filled with purpose, fulfillment, and joy. You can contact us here.

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Learning from the history of community development.

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Kirsty Lohman, Ruth Pearce, Gary Craig, Learning from the history of community development, Community Development Journal , Volume 58, Issue 2, April 2023, Pages 181–187, https://doi.org/10.1093/cdj/bsad004

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The Editorial ‘Old problems, new forms’, for Community Development Journal (CDJ) 57.4, positioned the journal as an archive, an ever growing repository documenting the knowledge systems of community development practitioners and academics (Pearce and Lohman, 2022). With every issue, every editorial, we bring a new collection of articles into conversation with those published over the past fifty-seven years.

In that editorial, we noted the equally dangerous risks of ‘empty nostalgia’, and of losing connection with the past. Community and institutional memories can too easily be lost among practitioners who are understandably focused on the problems directly in front of them, and among academics who are under constant pressure to produce new writing. Looking back on our first year editing the CDJ, we feel that the strongest articles we publish are fully contextualized within the history of the field, contributing new ideas, understanding, and information without simply ignoring or repeating what has gone before.

Of course, the archives of community development extend considerably beyond those of this journal. We (Kirsty Lohman and Ruth Pearce) were reminded of this in recent correspondence with Gary Craig, one of the former editors of this publication. Gary has kindly granted us permission to publish some of his reflections on the field’s emergent freely available UK archives. We hope that CDJ readers will find these resources as interesting and beneficial as we have.

Gary writes:

One of the weaknesses, perhaps even failings, of the community development profession has been an inability to learn the lessons of history. Much community development practice, judging by the published writing about it that has been available over the past years tends to neglect the knowledge and experience that has gone before, with projects established which simply repeat the mistakes of earlier activity, or offer prescriptions for action which are very familiar and thus offer little new to those embarking on a career in this territory. 1 In the early post-war period, very little was actually written about community development which was accessible to a wider audience than a relatively few practitioners or academics with access to libraries. Since the 1960s, after a slow start, there has been a steady growth of literature and there are now publishers such as Policy Press ( www.policypress.co.uk ) which have community development as one of the categories in which it publishes, and which now contains a steady trickle of largely accessible books (although the cost of books will always be a problem for practitioners, especially those working in the global south). The CDJ has contributed to this developing literature, by widening its scope and addressing a much broader audience than when I was first involved in it in the early 1970s (although the Board would probably agree that there is yet more that can be done, including again addressing the issue of pricing). One innovation for which I can take credit was the publication of an Index of all the articles which had been published up to the time the Index (1990), and a successor update version (2000), emerged, categorised by type of activity and country of origin. Details of all subsequent articles have been incorporated into the website of the CDJ ( https://academic.oup.com/cdj ), totalling around 1500 articles. Two new archives have now been added to this resource. The first is an electronic archive of all the reports of the UK national Community Development Project. This was, effectively, the UK’s national poverty programme, funded by central government and local authorities, and modelled in part on a similar programme (‘the war on poverty’) in the USA in the 1960s and 1970s. The UK CDP consisted of twelve local projects, running for 5 or 6 years each between 1968 to 1978, each of which published a range of local reports about conditions in their areas and the work done to ‘combat poverty’ through a mix of action and research. These local reports were complemented by a series of hard-hitting national reports, written by teams of local project workers, some of which such as Gilding the Ghetto and The Costs of Industrial Change, became runaway bestsellers. These have been gathered together in an archive at: https://special.ulib.iupui.edu/collections/CDP . Although the archive is rather clunky and requires some patience to work through specific reports, it is the only international electronic archive of all the CDP reports. 2 There is also a traditional manual archive of all the CDP national and local reports held at the Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick, in central England which can be accessed by contacting the MRC and searching for the CDP reports ( https://warwick.ac.uk/services/library/mrc/ ) or by personal visit, giving notice to the Librarian. Recently, an archive has also been developed of the entire collection of the magazine Community Action ( https://www.peoplesplans.org/peoplesplans/community-action ). As the website details indicates, this focussed on street level community action and peoples’ planning across the UK: each magazine issue contained local accounts of ‘people-led’ community action, with details of key resources and contacts. Readers can again browse individual issues of the magazine which ran from 1972–1990. These archives together portray two complementary and, roughly, co-existing approaches to community development in the UK, one effectively state-funded and thus ‘top down’ (although local projects all incorporated community development workers), the other limited to ‘bottom-up’ community action. Although the national and international context for community development has changed substantially in most countries over the past years (some of this captured by the emerging publishing work of the membership-based International Association for Community Development ( www.iacdglobal.org ), there is much that can be learnt from plundering these various resources to help practitioners learn from the mistakes of history.

The new articles in this issue speak extensively to the past, present, and possible futures of community development. As usual, they encompass a wide range of community and geographic contexts, with contributions from India, Scotland, the North Shore Tribal Council First Nations, Bangladesh, Israel, Ireland, and Italy.

In the spirit of learning from our histories, we open with ‘A re-reading of Gandhi’s and Ambedkar’s emancipatory discourses for social action against untouchability’. Author Sujay Biswas offers a detailed analysis of early twentieth century organizing to transform the social, cultural, and economic conditions of dalits: individuals formally excluded from the 4-fold structure of India’s Hindu caste system. Reflecting in particular on the writing and advocacy of Ambedkar and Gandhi, his stated aim is to inform contemporary struggles against caste and untouchability. Biswas notes that simply expecting deeply marginalized peoples to self-organize and develop their own community assets is unreasonable when they don’t have basic rights or access to resources. It is vital, therefore, to directly involve the most privileged groups (in this case, caste Hindus) in creating space for community development in practice.

Sarah Ward draws on the extensive theorization of asset-based community development (ABCD) to contextualize her contemporary evaluation of a multi-partner Scottish programme run in South West Scotland in the mid-2010s. The landscape of these programmes has been shaped by the evolution of UK policy in recent decades, with the New Labour government of the 1990s–2000s and ‘Big Society’ agenda of the early 2010s informing a simultaneous valorization of community action and withdrawal of funding and support. Ward advocates for theory-based evaluation to provide a nuanced understanding of ABCD’s causal mechanisms, and—like Biswas—argues that pre-existing resources must be in place for wider successes to occur.

The next three articles in this issue examine specific examples of the relationship between community-led initiatives and external power structures. The first of these is our Editor’s Choice for this issue: ‘Decolonizing social services through community development: an Anishinaabe experience’, co-authored by Mamaweswen Niigaaniin (the Anishinabek name for the North Shore Tribal Council social services), Timothy MacNeill, and Carola Ramos-Cortez. This article describes a community review of an Indigenous-run social assistance programme within the settler colony of Ontario. Reflecting on the benefits of a holistic Indigenous approach to social work, the authors argue that the use of participatory methods in this context necessarily involves a community development framework. This requires a shift from an individualized model of social work mediated by the colonial government and a neoliberal economic system, to a decolonized model in which participatory community-centred practice is key; a model with relevance across practitioner and academic work in community development.

In ‘Ethnography of community governance: a case of COVID-19 response of an urban slum in Bangladesh’, authors Shahaduz Zaman, Faruq Hossain, and Imran Matin provide a qualitative account of the extraordinary collective movement to prevent the spread of Covid-19 within Korail, the largest slum in Dhaka. Numerous slum-led initiatives were undertaken to tackle the disease, from making and distributing masks and homoeopathic remedies, to cleaning the slum and preventing unnecessary social mixing. Although the efficacy of these interventions would have varied, all represent what the authors theorize as ‘community governance from below’, orchestrated variously by local leaders and/or ordinary community members in response to the (initial) absence of information from either the Bangladeshi government or the Non-Governmental Organizations who normally work within the slum.

Conversely, the potential vulnerability of community-led organizations to state interference is starkly highlighted in Lisa Richlen’s article, ‘Representation, trust and ethnicity within refugee communities: the case of Darfurians in Israel’. With global discourse and international documents increasingly emphasizing ‘participation’ in policy-making by refugee representatives, Richlen highlights the complexities and potential harm this may entail in practice, especially when the burden of representation is placed on a chosen few representatives. Focusing on the example of the Sons of Darfur, the first Darfurian Sudanese community of asylum seekers in Israel, she shows how the organization’s initial advocacy successes were eclipsed by their involvement in the Israeli government’s process for granting temporary resident status to asylum seekers. This led to splits in the Darfurian community, which made it impossible to for them to speak in a single representative voice.

Taken together, the articles by Mamaweswen Niigaaniin and colleagues, by Zaman and colleagues, and by Richlen show us what it is possible for communities to do for themselves in the absence of state support; they also demonstrate how communities’ attempts for self-organizing can be frustrated by state interference. This adds important nuance to the conclusions of Biswas and Ward, reflecting the historical tensions in the field: resourcing action is important, but practitioners may be rightly wary of the conditions which come with those resources.

This issue concludes with three articles that report on community development programmes centred around ‘economic’ initiatives. In ‘Empowering women through the Self-Help Group Bank Linkage Programme as a tool for sustainable development: lessons from India’, authors Nada Amer Abdulhafedh Al-Kubati and Doris Padmini Selvaratnam discuss how a broader goal of empowering women can be achieved through utilization of microfinance programmes. The work of the Self-Help Group Bank Linkage Programme supported the financial entrepreneurship and independence of rural women and other marginalized groups in India, working to provide tools, competences, and confidence. The authors conceptualize these initiatives within a framework of sustainability, in line with United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Following this is the piece ‘Enhancing well-being and social connectedness of rural communities through community shops’ by Trish Finegan, and Morgan Cawley Buckley. This investigates the implementation of the community shop model in two rural Irish locations that were impacted by the post-2009 recession. The authors highlight the effects on individual wellbeing, and of improved community social connectedness in the villages. The positive impact of the shops was brought into sharp relief in March 2020 (during the period of fieldwork) when both locations shut suddenly due to Covid-19 restrictions, removing the social hubs for the communities. Research participants and authors reflected on how the networks that were built through the shops were able to endure and provide support through the pandemic.

To conclude this issue, Michele Bianchi investigates the social relationships between Community-Based Enterprises (CBEs) across Italy, and the local communities in which they are based. In ‘How social profiles influence community entrepreneurs’ capacity to develop networks. A Bourdieuan perspective on Italian community co-operatives’, Bianchi questions the notion that these groups are created by all in ‘the community’. He notes that CBEs are attractive primarily to people of similar ages, level of education, and cultural backgrounds, which can lead to limited involvement and friction with other community members and organizations.

Bianchi therefore highlights a series of important interrelated problems that cut across the articles in this issue: who counts as ‘the community’ in community development, who speaks for the community, and how can community development work best benefit from the resources of the most privileged as well as the assets of the least? These themes are also pertinent to the book reviews in this issue of the Community Development Journal , which interrogate borders and boundaries of state, estate, and gender.

In Too Close to Ignore: Australia’s Borderland with Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, which was edited by Mark Moran and Jodie Curth-Bibb, the human impact of the artificial boundary between Australia and its former colony, Papua New Guinea is examined. Reviewer Charles Hawksley notes how longstanding cultural, social, and economic ties are complicated by the imposition of state borders in the Torres Strait.

Next, Mick Carpenter reviews the book Populism, Democracy and Community Development, which was edited by Sue Kenny, Jim Ife, and Peter Westoby. This book interrogates what rising right- and left-wing populisms mean for the field of community development, with chapters spanning US, Latin American, UK, Finnish, Hong Kong, and Indonesian contexts. Carpenter reflects on the important role that community development could—and should—have in reinvigorating progressive politics.

A review of Paul Watts’ new book, Estate Regeneration and Its Discontents: Public Housing, Place and Inequality in London, by Martin J Power follows. In this, the UK policy on the ‘regeneration’ of publicly owned housing estates is analysed and critiqued. The book shows how supposed regeneration has contributed to London’s housing crisis through displacement and loss of social housing. Power emphasizes the importance of Watts’ work in considering redevelopment’s ‘degeneration’ effects on working class communities.

To conclude this issue of the CDJ, Ben Vincent’s book Non-binary genders: navigating communities, identities and healthcare is reviewed by Ruth Pearce. The book offers an insight into non-binary people’s experiences of community and healthcare in the UK, with topics including interactions and inclusion/exclusion within wider trans and LGBTQ+ communities as well as subcultural groups. Pearce praises the book for its refreshing focus on actual community experience and needs, amid a contemporary moral panic which continues to threaten trans people’s civil rights, autonomy and access to care.

Kirsty Lohman is an independent scholar based in Scotland whose work is on artistic, musical, and creative community building, with a particular focus on queer and trans communities. See:   www.kirstylohman.com .

Ruth Pearce is a Lecturer in Community Development at the University of Glasgow, UK. Her research explores themes of inequality, marginalization, power, and transformative political struggle from a trans feminist perspective. She shares as much of her work as possible for free on her website:   http://ruthpearce.net .

Gary Craig is Visiting Professor at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, a former editor of the CDJ and a former President of the IACD.

It might help correct this failing if articles in the CDJ and other community work journals began by briefly rehearsing what has been learnt about the focus of the article from previous work done before presenting the core of the article.

A few photographs are missing. Each project commissioned a local photographer to develop a photographic record of the project and its context but one or two photographers later withdrew permission to reproduce them.

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, how to write a great community service essay.

College Admissions , Extracurriculars

Are you applying to a college or a scholarship that requires a community service essay? Do you know how to write an essay that will impress readers and clearly show the impact your work had on yourself and others?

Read on to learn step-by-step instructions for writing a great community service essay that will help you stand out and be memorable.

What Is a Community Service Essay? Why Do You Need One?

A community service essay is an essay that describes the volunteer work you did and the impact it had on you and your community. Community service essays can vary widely depending on specific requirements listed in the application, but, in general, they describe the work you did, why you found the work important, and how it benefited people around you.

Community service essays are typically needed for two reasons:

#1: To Apply to College

• Some colleges require students to write community service essays as part of their application or to be eligible for certain scholarships.
• You may also choose to highlight your community service work in your personal statement.

#2: To Apply for Scholarships

• Some scholarships are specifically awarded to students with exceptional community service experiences, and many use community service essays to help choose scholarship recipients.
• Green Mountain College offers one of the most famous of these scholarships. Their "Make a Difference Scholarship" offers full tuition, room, and board to students who have demonstrated a significant, positive impact through their community service

Getting Started With Your Essay

In the following sections, I'll go over each step of how to plan and write your essay. I'll also include sample excerpts for you to look through so you can get a better idea of what readers are looking for when they review your essay.

Step 1: Know the Essay Requirements

Before your start writing a single word, you should be familiar with the essay prompt. Each college or scholarship will have different requirements for their essay, so make sure you read these carefully and understand them.

Specific things to pay attention to include:

• Length requirement
• Application deadline
• The main purpose or focus of the essay
• If the essay should follow a specific structure

Below are three real community service essay prompts. Read through them and notice how much they vary in terms of length, detail, and what information the writer should include.

From the Equitable Excellence Scholarship:

"Describe your outstanding achievement in depth and provide the specific planning, training, goals, and steps taken to make the accomplishment successful. Include details about your role and highlight leadership you provided. Your essay must be a minimum of 350 words but not more than 600 words."

From the Laura W. Bush Traveling Scholarship:

"Essay (up to 500 words, double spaced) explaining your interest in being considered for the award and how your proposed project reflects or is related to both UNESCO's mandate and U.S. interests in promoting peace by sharing advances in education, science, culture, and communications."

From the LULAC National Scholarship Fund:

"Please type or print an essay of 300 words (maximum) on how your academic studies will contribute to your personal & professional goals. In addition, please discuss any community service or extracurricular activities you have been involved in that relate to your goals."

Step 2: Brainstorm Ideas

Even after you understand what the essay should be about, it can still be difficult to begin writing. Answer the following questions to help brainstorm essay ideas. You may be able to incorporate your answers into your essay.

• What community service activity that you've participated in has meant the most to you?
• What is your favorite memory from performing community service?
• Why did you decide to begin community service?
• What made you decide to volunteer where you did?
• How has your community service changed you?
• How has your community service helped others?
• How has your community service affected your plans for the future?

You don't need to answer all the questions, but if you find you have a lot of ideas for one of two of them, those may be things you want to include in your essay.

Writing Your Essay

How you structure your essay will depend on the requirements of the scholarship or school you are applying to. You may give an overview of all the work you did as a volunteer, or highlight a particularly memorable experience. You may focus on your personal growth or how your community benefited.

Regardless of the specific structure requested, follow the guidelines below to make sure your community service essay is memorable and clearly shows the impact of your work.

Samples of mediocre and excellent essays are included below to give you a better idea of how you should draft your own essay.

Step 1: Hook Your Reader In

You want the person reading your essay to be interested, so your first sentence should hook them in and entice them to read more. A good way to do this is to start in the middle of the action. Your first sentence could describe you helping build a house, releasing a rescued animal back to the wild, watching a student you tutored read a book on their own, or something else that quickly gets the reader interested. This will help set your essay apart and make it more memorable.

Compare these two opening sentences:

"I have volunteered at the Wishbone Pet Shelter for three years."

"The moment I saw the starving, mud-splattered puppy brought into the shelter with its tail between its legs, I knew I'd do whatever I could to save it."

The first sentence is a very general, bland statement. The majority of community service essays probably begin a lot like it, but it gives the reader little information and does nothing to draw them in. On the other hand, the second sentence begins immediately with action and helps persuade the reader to keep reading so they can learn what happened to the dog.

Step 2: Discuss the Work You Did

Once you've hooked your reader in with your first sentence, tell them about your community service experiences. State where you work, when you began working, how much time you've spent there, and what your main duties include. This will help the reader quickly put the rest of the essay in context and understand the basics of your community service work.

Not including basic details about your community service could leave your reader confused.

Step 3: Include Specific Details

It's the details of your community service that make your experience unique and memorable, so go into the specifics of what you did.

For example, don't just say you volunteered at a nursing home; talk about reading Mrs. Johnson her favorite book, watching Mr. Scott win at bingo, and seeing the residents play games with their grandchildren at the family day you organized. Try to include specific activities, moments, and people in your essay. Having details like these let the readers really understand what work you did and how it differs from other volunteer experiences.

Compare these two passages:

"For my volunteer work, I tutored children at a local elementary school. I helped them improve their math skills and become more confident students."

"As a volunteer at York Elementary School, I worked one-on-one with second and third graders who struggled with their math skills, particularly addition, subtraction, and fractions. As part of my work, I would create practice problems and quizzes and try to connect math to the students' interests. One of my favorite memories was when Sara, a student I had been working with for several weeks, told me that she enjoyed the math problems I had created about a girl buying and selling horses so much that she asked to help me create math problems for other students."

The first passage only gives basic information about the work done by the volunteer; there is very little detail included, and no evidence is given to support her claims. How did she help students improve their math skills? How did she know they were becoming more confident?

The second passage is much more detailed. It recounts a specific story and explains more fully what kind of work the volunteer did, as well as a specific instance of a student becoming more confident with her math skills. Providing more detail in your essay helps support your claims as well as make your essay more memorable and unique.

Step 4: Show Your Personality

It would be very hard to get a scholarship or place at a school if none of your readers felt like they knew much about you after finishing your essay, so make sure that your essay shows your personality. The way to do this is to state your personal strengths, then provide examples to support your claims. Take some time to think about which parts of your personality you would like your essay to highlight, then write about specific examples to show this.

• If you want to show that you're a motivated leader, describe a time when you organized an event or supervised other volunteers.
• If you want to show your teamwork skills, write about a time you helped a group of people work together better.
• If you want to show that you're a compassionate animal lover, write about taking care of neglected shelter animals and helping each of them find homes.

Step 5: State What You Accomplished

After you have described your community service and given specific examples of your work, you want to begin to wrap your essay up by stating your accomplishments. What was the impact of your community service? Did you build a house for a family to move into? Help students improve their reading skills? Clean up a local park? Make sure the impact of your work is clear; don't be worried about bragging here.

If you can include specific numbers, that will also strengthen your essay. Saying "I delivered meals to 24 home-bound senior citizens" is a stronger example than just saying "I delivered meals to lots of senior citizens."

Also be sure to explain why your work matters. Why is what you did important? Did it provide more parks for kids to play in? Help students get better grades? Give people medical care who would otherwise not have gotten it? This is an important part of your essay, so make sure to go into enough detail that your readers will know exactly what you accomplished and how it helped your community.

"My biggest accomplishment during my community service was helping to organize a family event at the retirement home. The children and grandchildren of many residents attended, and they all enjoyed playing games and watching movies together."

"The community service accomplishment that I'm most proud of is the work I did to help organize the First Annual Family Fun Day at the retirement home. My job was to design and organize fun activities that senior citizens and their younger relatives could enjoy. The event lasted eight hours and included ten different games, two performances, and a movie screening with popcorn. Almost 200 residents and family members attended throughout the day. This event was important because it provided an opportunity for senior citizens to connect with their family members in a way they aren't often able to. It also made the retirement home seem more fun and enjoyable to children, and we have seen an increase in the number of kids coming to visit their grandparents since the event."

The second passage is stronger for a variety of reasons. First, it goes into much more detail about the work the volunteer did. The first passage only states that she helped "organize a family event." That really doesn't tell readers much about her work or what her responsibilities were. The second passage is much clearer; her job was to "design and organize fun activities."

The second passage also explains the event in more depth. A family day can be many things; remember that your readers are likely not familiar with what you're talking about, so details help them get a clearer picture.

Lastly, the second passage makes the importance of the event clear: it helped residents connect with younger family members, and it helped retirement homes seem less intimidating to children, so now some residents see their grand kids more often.

Step 6: Discuss What You Learned

One of the final things to include in your essay should be the impact that your community service had on you. You can discuss skills you learned, such as carpentry, public speaking, animal care, or another skill.

You can also talk about how you changed personally. Are you more patient now? More understanding of others? Do you have a better idea of the type of career you want? Go into depth about this, but be honest. Don't say your community service changed your life if it didn't because trite statements won't impress readers.

In order to support your statements, provide more examples. If you say you're more patient now, how do you know this? Do you get less frustrated while playing with your younger siblings? Are you more willing to help group partners who are struggling with their part of the work? You've probably noticed by now that including specific examples and details is one of the best ways to create a strong and believable essay .

"As a result of my community service, I learned a lot about building houses and became a more mature person."

"As a result of my community service, I gained hands-on experience in construction. I learned how to read blueprints, use a hammer and nails, and begin constructing the foundation of a two-bedroom house. Working on the house could be challenging at times, but it taught me to appreciate the value of hard work and be more willing to pitch in when I see someone needs help. My dad has just started building a shed in our backyard, and I offered to help him with it because I know from my community service how much work it is. I also appreciate my own house more, and I know how lucky I am to have a roof over my head."

The second passage is more impressive and memorable because it describes the skills the writer learned in more detail and recounts a specific story that supports her claim that her community service changed her and made her more helpful.

Step 7: Finish Strong

Just as you started your essay in a way that would grab readers' attention, you want to finish your essay on a strong note as well. A good way to end your essay is to state again the impact your work had on you, your community, or both. Reiterate how you changed as a result of your community service, why you found the work important, or how it helped others.

Compare these two concluding statements:

"In conclusion, I learned a lot from my community service at my local museum, and I hope to keep volunteering and learning more about history."

"To conclude, volunteering at my city's American History Museum has been a great experience. By leading tours and participating in special events, I became better at public speaking and am now more comfortable starting conversations with people. In return, I was able to get more community members interested in history and our local museum. My interest in history has deepened, and I look forward to studying the subject in college and hopefully continuing my volunteer work at my university's own museum."

The second passage takes each point made in the first passage and expands upon it. In a few sentences, the second passage is able to clearly convey what work the volunteer did, how she changed, and how her volunteer work benefited her community.

The author of the second passage also ends her essay discussing her future and how she'd like to continue her community service, which is a good way to wrap things up because it shows your readers that you are committed to community service for the long-term.

What's Next?

Are you applying to a community service scholarship or thinking about it? We have a complete list of all the community service scholarships available to help get your search started!

Do you need a community service letter as well? We have a step-by-step guide that will tell you how to get a great reference letter from your community service supervisor.

Thinking about doing community service abroad? Before you sign up, read our guide on some of the hazards of international volunteer trips and how to know if it's the right choice for you.

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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The use and impact of surveillance-based technology initiatives in inpatient and acute mental health settings: A systematic review

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Background: The use of surveillance technologies is becoming increasingly common in inpatient mental health settings, commonly justified as efforts to improve safety and cost-effectiveness. However, the use of these technologies has been questioned in light of limited research conducted and the sensitivities, ethical concerns and potential harms of surveillance. This systematic review aims to: 1) map how surveillance technologies have been employed in inpatient mental health settings, 2) identify any best practice guidance, 3) explore how they are experienced by patients, staff and carers, and 4) examine evidence regarding their impact. Methods: We searched five academic databases (Embase, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, PubMed and Scopus), one grey literature database (HMIC) and two pre-print servers (medRxiv and PsyArXiv) to identify relevant papers published up to 18/09/2023. We also conducted backwards and forwards citation tracking and contacted experts to identify relevant literature. Quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Data were synthesised using a narrative approach. Results: A total of 27 studies were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria. Included studies reported on CCTV/video monitoring (n = 13), Vision-Based Patient Monitoring and Management (VBPMM) (n = 6), Body Worn Cameras (BWCs) (n = 4), GPS electronic monitoring (n = 2) and wearable sensors (n = 2). Twelve papers (44.4%) were rated as low quality, five (18.5%) medium quality, and ten (37.0%) high quality. Five studies (18.5%) declared a conflict of interest. We identified minimal best practice guidance. Qualitative findings indicate that patient, staff and carer perceptions and experiences of surveillance technologies are mixed and complex. Quantitative findings regarding the impact of surveillance on outcomes such as self-harm, violence, aggression, care quality and cost-effectiveness were inconsistent or weak. Discussion: There is currently insufficient evidence to suggest that surveillance technologies in inpatient mental health settings are achieving the outcomes they are employed to achieve, such as improving safety and reducing costs. The studies were generally of low methodological quality, lacked lived experience involvement, and a substantial proportion (18.5%) declared conflicts of interest. Further independent coproduced research is needed to more comprehensively evaluate the impact of surveillance technologies in inpatient settings, including harms and benefits. If surveillance technologies are to be implemented, it will be important to engage all key stakeholders in the development of policies, procedures and best practice guidance to regulate their use, with a particular emphasis on prioritising the perspectives of patients.

Competing Interest Statement

AS and UF have undertaken and published research on BWCs. We have received no financial support from BWC or any other surveillance technology companies. All other authors declare no competing interests.

Clinical Protocols

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=463993

Funding Statement

This study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Policy Research Programme (grant no. PR-PRU-0916-22003). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. ARG was supported by the Ramon y Cajal programme (RYC2022-038556-I), funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.

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I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.

I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals.

I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance).

I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable.

Data Availability

The template data extraction form is available in Supplementary 1. MMAT quality appraisal ratings for each included study are available in Supplementary 2. All data used is publicly available in the published papers included in this review.

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More From Forbes

The future of farming: ai innovations that are transforming agriculture.

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AI-assisted Agriculture

Agriculture is a cornerstone of human civilization, a testament to our ability to harness nature for sustenance. Yet, this age-old industry faces many challenges that hamper productivity, impact livelihoods, and threaten global food security.

By 2050, we must produce 60 percent more food to feed a world population of 9.3 billion, reports the Food and Agriculture Organization. Given the current industry challenges, doing that with a farming-as-usual approach could be tricky. Moreover, this would extend the heavy toll we already place on our natural resources.

This is where Artificial Intelligence can come to our rescue. The AI in Agriculture Market is projected to grow from $1.7 billion in 2023 to $4.7 billion by 2028, highlighting the pivotal role of advanced technologies in this sector. This article explores three significant issues agriculture faces today and shows how AI is helping tackle them using real-world examples.

Three key challenges farmers face

Amongst the many issues hurting farmers, three stand out due to their global presence and financial impact:

1. Pests : Pests devour approximately 40% of global agricultural productivity annually, costing at least $70 billion. From locust swarms decimating fields in Africa to fruit flies affecting orchards, the impact is global, and financial repercussions are colossal.

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2. Soil Quality and Irrigation : Soil degradation affects nearly 33% of the Earth's soil, diminishing its ability to grow crops, leading to a loss of about $400 billion. Water scarcity and inefficient irrigation further dent agricultural output. Agriculture uses 70% of the world's accessible freshwater, but 60% of it is wasted due to leaky irrigation systems.

3. Weeds : Despite advancements in agricultural practices, weeds cause significant declines in crop yield and quality. Around 1800 weed species reduce plant production by about 31.5%, leading to economic losses of about $32 billion annually.

How AI is transforming Agriculture

Smart Farming

Artificial Intelligence is often used as a catchall phrase. Here, it refers to the systematic collection of data, pertinent use of analytics ranging from simple descriptive summaries to deep learning algorithms, and advanced technologies such as computer vision, the internet of things, and geospatial analytics. Let’s look at how AI helps address each of the above challenges:

1. Pest identification and control : Accurate, early identification and control of pests is essential to minimize crop damage and reduce the reliance on chemical pesticides. Data such as weather reports, historical pest activity, and high-resolution images captured by drones or satellites are readily available today. Machine learning models and computer vision can help predict pest invasions and identify pests in the field.

For example, Trapview has built a device that traps pests and identifies them. It uses pheromones to attract pests, which are photographed by a camera in the device. By leveraging Trapview’s database, AI identifies over 60 pest species, such as the codling moth, which afflicts apples, and the cotton bollworm, which can damage lettuce and tomatoes.

Once identified, the system uses location and weather data to map out the likely impact of the insects and pushes the findings as an app notification to farmers. These AI-driven insights enable timely and targeted interventions, significantly reducing crop losses and chemical usage. Trapview reports that its customers have seen a 5% increase in yield and quality, and overall savings of 118 million euro in growers’ costs.

2. Soil health monitoring : Continuous monitoring and analysis of soil health are essential to ensuring optimal growing conditions and sustainable farming practices. Optimizing water use is crucial to ensuring crops receive precisely what they need, reducing waste and enhancing productivity.

Data from in-ground sensors, farm machinery, drones, and satellites are used to analyze soil conditions, including moisture content, nutrient levels, and the presence of pathogens. Such soil health analysis helps predict water needs and automate irrigation systems.

For example, CropX has built a platform specializing in soil health monitoring by leveraging real-time data to help users review and compare vital parameters alongside crop performance. Farmers gain insights into soil type and vegetation indices like NDVI - normalized difference vegetation index, SAVI - soil adjusted vegetation index, and soil moisture index to optimize crop management strategies. CropX reports that its solutions have led to a 57% reduction in water usage, a 15% reduction in fertilizer usage, and up to 70% yield increase.

3. Weed Detection and Management : Precise identification and elimination of weeds is critical to preventing them from competing for precious resources with crops and minimizing herbicide use. Thanks to computer vision, drones and robots can now identify weeds amongst crops with high precision. This allows for targeted weed control, either mechanically or through precise herbicide application.

For instance, the startup Carbon Robotics leverages deep learning algorithms in its computer vision solution. It identifies weeds by analyzing data from over 42 high-resolution cameras that scan the fields in real-time. Then, it employs robotics and lasers to deliver high-precision weed control.

The LaserWeeder claims to weed up to two acres per hour and eliminate up to 5,000 weeds per minute at 99% accuracy. Its growers report reducing weed control costs by up to 80% with a potential return on investment in one to three years.

Tackling the risks of automation

Opportunities and risks of AI in agriculture

AI has numerous benefits for agriculture but isn’t without inherent risks , such as job displacement, ownership concentration, and ethical concerns. When AI automates tasks traditionally done by humans in large numbers, it could lead to job losses across both manual and cognitive roles. Moreover, it could exacerbate ownership concentration, benefiting large enterprises or wealthy individuals at the expense of smaller farms.

When farmland turns into a hotbed for data collection – underground, at the crop level, and from the sky, this could lead to data privacy issues. These challenges underscore the need for careful consideration and governance to balance AI's advantages against its potential downsides. This is unique not just to the agricultural sector but to all industries where AI is being applied.

Ushering in a transformative future

Integrating AI in agriculture is not just reshaping current practices but also paving the way for a sustainable and resilient future. AI could become a master gardener, perpetually monitoring and fine-tuning every growth stage in the farm, from seed selection to harvest and beyond. It can help adjust farming practices in real time to climatic shifts, ensuring optimal crop health and yield.

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Detroit activists call for ban on menthol cigarettes, citing disproportionate impact on Black community

Dabo announced its stance against the promotion of tobacco and menthol products within the black community.

Jacqueline Francis , Reporter

DETROIT – A group of activists in  Detroit  are calling for a ban on menthol cigarettes, saying they disproportionally impact the Black community.

The Detroit Association of Black Organizations (DABO) held a news conference Wednesday (April 3), announcing its stance against the promotion of tobacco and menthol products within the Black community.

“If Black Lives Matter, Black lungs do too,” DABO CEO Rev. Horace Sheffield said.

In 2009, cigarette flavors were banned, except for menthol.

Activists like Minou Jones, the founder of Making It County Community Development Corporation, said this is a social justice issue.

“My children’s life, my parent’s life, my friend’s life matter just as much as everybody else’s,” Jones said.

According to the FDA, nearly 85% of Black smokers use menthols, compared to 30% of white smokers.

“You cannot disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities with these deadly products,” Sheffield said.

Black men have the highest lung cancer death rate in the U.S., according to the American Lung Association.

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About the Author

Jacqueline francis.

Jacqueline Francis is an award-winning journalist who joined the WDIV team in September 2022. Prior to Local 4, she reported for the NBC affiliate in West Michigan. When she’s not on the job, Jacqueline enjoys taking advantage of all the wonders Michigan has to offer, from ski trips up north to beach days with her dog, Ace.

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