Sagawa's New Book Promotes Service as Transforming America
Service opportunities help people find purpose in their lives. This is a concept that Corps know well. To say it another way, Corps know that people going through life transitions have a lot to gain from the opportunity to serve their community.
Shirley Sagawa’s new book The American Way to Change: How National Service and Volunteers are Transforming America is about this very life-changing experience. She defines service as referring broadly to both volunteering and national service – including serving in a Corps program. Shirley’s book is a collection of stories and examples building the case that service can provide the potential for transformation both of the individual and of society.
The first part of the book looks the impact of service at various points of transition in life. Her opening example is about The Corps Network’s own 2009 Corpsmember of the Year, Arthur Jacuinde of the Fresno Local Conservation Corps. Arthur credits his service in the Corps with setting him on a new path and giving him a purpose. Shirley quotes Arthur: “I realize now that nothing is impossible,” says Arthur. “Even though I cannot change my past, I am in total control of my future.”
Shirley also offers examples from Youth Corps, including statistics from The Corps Network’s Civic Justice Corps, in the section looking at the Transition to Productive Adulthood. She writes: “By helping young people see a better future, Youth Corps can help them turn their lives around.” She also outlines the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps and links this heritage to current day programs such as the California Conservation Corps. Shirley also calls for more such programs and more funding for existing programs.
The remaining sections in Part I discuss how service can impact society and the way that citizens engage in their communities. She points out that “democracy depends on robust civic participation” and makes the case that service opportunities lead to awareness and develop leadership potential. In addition, as connections are made between people to their community and to people of other backgrounds, society becomes stronger.
Part II provides examples of service within areas of national priorities. City Year is featured in the area of elementary and secondary education. Their programs are designed to identify factors contributing to students leaving school without a diploma (e.g. low math and English skills) and to provide a means to counteract these factors (e.g. one-on-one tutoring). City Year DC is highlighted as providing evidence that the Corps’ work in the schools was making an impact.
Corps are also mentioned as making an impact in the national priority area of Conserving Energy and Protecting the Environment. American Youthworks’ program Casa Verde Builders is noted for its training Corpsmembers in green building techniques, energy-efficient design, and use of renewable resources. Earth Conservation Corps is highlighted for its work along the Anacostia River, cleaning up trash, rebuilding the shoreline, creating trails and planting trees.
The final chapter of the book offers suggestions for next steps. Titled “What You Can Do”, Shirley invites the reader to “imagine a nation that serves”. She asks questions of individuals and groups to help identify causes. She outlines guidance for nonprofits and educators on how to use volunteers. She encourages businesses to deploy their employees as volunteers.
Also included in the Appendix is a list of resources, what Shirley calls High-Impact Service Programs. The Corps Network is listed as one of the 29 High-Impact Field Builders. She summarizes: “Corps are versatile, cost-effective programs that allow young people to accomplish important conservation, community restoration, and human service projects, while also developing employment and citizenship skills.”
As a member of the staff at The Corps Network, I am pleased to see these examples of Corps listed alongside other amazing service and volunteer programs. From my perspective, Corps epitomize what Shirley is talking about – service transforms lives and, as a result, has the potential to transform America.
