Urban Youth in Community Service: Becoming Part of the Solution (ERIC/CUE Digest, Number 81)

This monograph looks at the field of youth service broadly and provides examples of the range of programs available for urban youth. A review of statistics on urban youth involvement nationally notes that most young people are not involved in community service, African American students perform more community service annually than any other racial group, urban schools do not push community service, and many agencies look to community service to engage low-income urban youth in positive action. Special issues for urban programs are covered, including the value of community service for overcoming the alienation and hostility of many youth toward their community, the focus of youth corps for low-income youth on experiences directed toward job preparation, and problems of maintaining diversity in programs. Also noted are the benefits of urban service programs for youth in the form of increased academic achievement, competence, self-confidence, and self-esteem. Several programs are briefly profiled, including in-school programs, out-of-school programs, and the growth of urban youth corps. Also addressed are various federal legislative initiatives and their role in fostering these programs. (Includes 12 references).