The Hidden Impact: A Reflection on Service Learning

As we approach the new year and walk through this holiday season, it is easy to become overwhelmed and stressed with our personal lives and everything heavy in the world weighing down on us. I can feel the strain that is affecting myself and many people that I know.

Global Doing Good is a non-profit that aims to inspire a sense of curiosity, compassion, and global citizenship. All young people, no matter their background, can be inspired to be informed citizens who make service a lifelong commitment. When we offer The Benjamin Project to schools, we encourage students to complete a service project in their community. As I sat down and read every student’s story, looked at each submitted image, and reflected on their insights, I saw the joyful ripple effect of good. Within these reflections, there was a hidden impact. As I scrolled through the endless stories, tears began to fill my eyes and I knew these stories must be shared.

From a Middle School in Nebraska, a student was bearing his own weight when he made a donation to the Children’s Hospital. This student’s grandfather had just lost a 6 year battle with cancer. As a remembrance to his grandfather, he decided to donate to children directly in Nebraska that are battling with cancer.

In my hometown of Denver, Colorado, the class purchased snow shovels and tools to shovel and the heavy snow and make the pathways clear for teachers and students. Students and teachers at the school said it felt safer to walk around. The class expressed that they were proud to positively impact their school community.

Across town at another school in Colorado, a student spent The Benjamin Project funds on board games and activities for the residents of Windcrest Senior Center. Did the student drop them off at the counter and head home? No, she made the decision to stay with the residents and play games such as Guess Who and Candyland with people she did not know. She not only used the money from The Benjamin Project, but additionally offered her time to bring some light into another’s day.

These students had uncovered and expanded on the good in the world. Hidden in stress, hardship, and difficulty, our students who completed The Benjamin Project not only found small grains of good, but they went out into their community to create an even greater impact. They helped a neighbor, donated to a non-profit, fundraised for the community, and more. These students are the good in our world. The Benjamin Project gives students the opportunity to not only be good, but to do good.