Dana McCarthy, reading academic specialist and National Honor Society advisor at Center Line Prep is a huge supporter of student volunteerism. “Our high school students need 60 hours of community service to graduate. I take a big interest in getting those students involved in something that they’re passionate about,” she explains.
Broadening Perspectives:
One of the best things about volunteering, according to McCarthy, is how it broadens students' horizons. "It takes the students' lens off the four walls of a building or a classroom and makes them see outside of it," she says.
This helps students look beyond their immediate surroundings and understand the broader impact of their efforts. For example, the National Honor Society’s focus on homelessness and hunger involved several food drives. “When we tell them this food goes to people in our school who don’t have food every day, it makes them more aware of what’s going on right around them,” McCarthy adds.
Student volunteers take part in a food drive.Personal and Professional Growth:
Tynila Moody, a student at Center Line Prep Academy, shares how volunteering changed her. At first, she was shy, but as time went on Moody found her voice and confidence through helping younger students. “When I started helping out with them, I got to grow more,” she says. This growth wasn’t just personal but also academic and professional, as she discovered her passion for nursing. “Volunteering really helps you step outside of yourself,” she shared.
These volunteer activities often have quite an impact, sometimes changing students' career paths and perspectives. “Tynila thought she wanted to be a teacher but switched to nursing after volunteering,” McCarthy shared. This shift shows that volunteering can help students figure out not only what they want to do but also what they don’t want to do.
Many students enjoy volunteering and feel it gives them a greater sense of purpose.Hands-On Experience:
The volunteer program at Center Line Prep Academy offers opportunities ranging from literacy initiatives to environmental projects. One of McCarthy’s favorite projects was at Rising Stars, a school for adults with disabilities. "They plant the food, grow it, and create with it. So they make bread, fruit, and other goods," she describes. Through activities like clearing fields and supporting the school's operations, students gain hands-on experience and learn about the effort required to produce food.
Student volunteer reading to younger students.Community Connections:
Beyond personal growth, volunteering also strengthens community ties and creates lasting relationships. Students often receive ongoing support from the people they help. “I got to help a woman who is now helping me with my college stuff,” Moody shared.
Reading and math are some of the subjects that student volunteers help teach.Empathy and Responsibility:
For students at Center Line Prep Academy, volunteering is a key part of their education. It instills a sense of responsibility, empathy, and awareness that’s important for their personal and professional development. Through their service, students learn that their actions matter and that they can make a difference, one volunteer hour at a time. “It helps students see and develop strengths they didn’t even know they had,” shared McCarthy.
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About Center Line Preparatory Academy
Center Line Preparatory Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Center Line, Michigan, serving students in Young 5s through 12th grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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