students consider giving back to their community during this time of year.

Very few students realize that they can give back to the community, get class credit and gain experience all from one class. This is possible through a Palo Alto program called service-learning.

“Service-learning is about helping you grow and develop while at the same time helping meet important community needs,” said Lillian Huerta, Palo Alto College Service-Learning Coordinator. “This isn’t just volunteering. It’s learning.”

Some examples of service-learning projects are preserving native plants, designing neighborhood playgrounds, teaching young children to read, testing the local water quality, creating wheelchair ramps, preparing food for the homeless, developing urban community gardens and starting school recycling programs.

“Students develop critical thinking skills and compassion,” said Huerta.

The Alamo Community College District’s service-learning mission is to enhance the learning environment, foster civic responsibility and meet the needs of the community by providing thoughtfully designed opportunities for students to use their skills and knowledge to service the community.

The district already has more than 100 organizations that participate in service-learning, but students are allowed to suggest an alternative to the coordinator if there is another organization they would like to help.

There are currently 13 instructors using service-learning in their classes at Palo Alto College and 125 students are participating this semester. In the Spring semester of 2001, more than 600 students in the Alamo Community College District contributed over 16,000 hours of service to organizations in the San Antonio area.

“This program allows students to take the theory and apply it to concrete,” said Karen Marcotte, Interdisciplinary Instructor. “What we teach becomes real.”

Service-learning can be required in a class or offered as extra credit. All of the faculty participating in service-learning at Palo Alto currently offer it as an option, not as a requirement.

Service-learning is a growing program at Palo Alto College. Faculty members like John Hernandez, who teaches Philosophy, would like to see more opportunities to volunteer on campus. Huerta said she is trying to meet that request.

“I would also like to see service-learning offered on the Internet,” said Hernandez. “That would be another excellent opportunity for students.”

It is very easy to get involved in the service-learning program. First, speak to your instructors or the service learning coordinator. Then, pick a place to offer your service.

It is important for students to keep track of the hours they serve and to show up at their scheduled times. It is also important to complete all reflection requirements. Reflection is a large part of the service-learning program. Participating students attend discussion sessions twice a semester, and some are required to keep journals to write about their experiences.

“The purpose of reflection is for you to make the conscious connection between what you are learning in class and what you are helping the community to accomplish,” said Huerta.

The Service-Learning Program has been at Palo Alto College and the rest of the Alamo Community College District since the Fall of 2000. The program has an extensive history in the nation, though it is new to this community.

The Alamo Community College District Service-Learning Program started with a district grant from the Corporation for National Service. This organization works with governor-appointed state commissions, nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, schools and other civic organizations to provide opportunities for people of all ages to serve their community.

The Corporation for National Service’s three major programs are AmeriCorps, National Senior Service Corps and Learn and Serve America. Palo Alto’s Service-Learning Program falls under Learn and Serve America.

Learn and Serve America supports service-learning in schools and community organizations that help nearly one million students from kindergarten through college meet community needs, while improving students’ academic skills and teaching them the habits of good citizenship.

For more information about service-learning, contact Lillian Huerta at (210) 921-5126 or e-mail her at lhuerta@accd.edu. The Service-Learning Office is located in the Student Center, Room 115, not far from the cafeteria. Click here to go to the website.