Ages 7-16 · Book 5, Empathy · 4,299 places
Service Learning
The need first, from the people who have it, and then the project. Reversing that is how service becomes a photograph.
Built on Ellis Abel and the Helping Hand — “What matters more than earning a Gold Star?” A character series, not a curriculum with a worldview attached.
The five sessions
- Session 1
Pick the need first, from the people who actually have it
- Session 2
Read the story and name why helping cost him something
- Session 3
Plan the smallest useful thing, and do it this week
- Session 4
Do it without announcing it, and see how that feels
- Session 5
Say afterwards what changed for the person, not for us
Questions leaders ask
Is service learning in your area a religious program?
No. Ellis Abel is a character series. Each volume carries one named core value — this one is empathy — and the story does the teaching. There is no doctrine in it, nothing to opt out of, and it is used in public schools, libraries and secular programs as readily as anywhere else.
What ages does this work for?
Ages 7-16. The story is read aloud, so a child who cannot read yet is fully in it, and the discussion prompts are written in two bands so one adult can hold a mixed-age room.
How do we find a real need in your area rather than inventing a project?
Ask the people who have it. The session order is deliberate — the need comes first and the activity is built to fit it, not the other way round.
Does this have to be a big project?
No, and big projects are usually the ones that teach least. One useful thing, done this week, without announcing it, is the whole lesson.
The rules that make it work
Helping has to cost something
Kindness that is free teaches nothing, and children over about eight already know it. The cost is named out loud in every session.
Notice first — it is an attention skill
Empathy gets taught as a feeling children are supposed to summon. It starts as noticing one specific person, which is trainable and testable.
Owning a mistake is the harder lesson
Helping a friend is easier than admitting you were the one who caused the problem. The book teaches both, and this is the one adults skip.
Do not announce it
The moment helping becomes a thing you are seen doing, it becomes a performance. The follow-up asks what changed for the other person, never how the helper felt.
Success is bigger than the award
The gold star is in the title for a reason. A room that only celebrates outcomes has already taught the lesson this book is arguing with.
Adults go first, with a real mistake
An adult naming something they got wrong, at a cost, changes a room faster than any activity in it.
Service Learning by metro area
Northeast
- Service Learning — New York, NY
- Service Learning — Philadelphia, PA
- Service Learning — Boston, MA
- Service Learning — Pittsburgh, PA
- Service Learning — Providence, RI
- Service Learning — Hartford, CT
- Service Learning — Buffalo, NY
- Service Learning — Rochester, NY
- Service Learning — Bridgeport, CT
- Service Learning — Albany, NY
- Service Learning — Worcester, MA
- Service Learning — Allentown, PA
- Service Learning — Poughkeepsie metro area, NY
- Service Learning — Syracuse, NY
- Service Learning — Harrisburg, PA
- Service Learning — New Haven, CT
- Service Learning — Portland, ME
- Service Learning — Scranton, PA
- Service Learning — Lancaster, PA
- Service Learning — York, PA
- Service Learning — Springfield, MA
- Service Learning — Waterbury, CT
- Service Learning — Reading, PA
- Service Learning — Manchester, NH
- Service Learning — Trenton, NJ
- Service Learning — Atlantic City, NJ
- Service Learning — Utica, NY
- Service Learning — Norwich, CT
- Service Learning — Erie, PA
- Service Learning — Binghamton, NY
- Service Learning — Barnstable, MA
- Service Learning — Burlington, VT
- Service Learning — Kingston, NY
- Service Learning — Amherst, MA
- Service Learning — Chambersburg, PA
- Service Learning — Bangor, ME
- Service Learning — State College, PA
- Service Learning — Vineland, NJ
- Service Learning — Lebanon, PA
- Service Learning — Johnstown, PA
- Service Learning — Pittsfield, MA
- Service Learning — Glens Falls, NY
- Service Learning — Altoona, PA
- Service Learning — Lewiston, ME
- Service Learning — Williamsport, PA
- Service Learning — Watertown, NY
- Service Learning — Gettysburg, PA
- Service Learning — Ithaca, NY
- Service Learning — Elmira, NY
Midwest
- Service Learning — Chicago, IL
- Service Learning — Detroit, MI
- Service Learning — Minneapolis, MN
- Service Learning — St. Louis, MO
- Service Learning — Cincinnati, OH
- Service Learning — Kansas City, MO
- Service Learning — Columbus, OH
- Service Learning — Indianapolis, IN
- Service Learning — Cleveland, OH
- Service Learning — Milwaukee, WI
- Service Learning — Grand Rapids, MI
- Service Learning — Omaha, NE
- Service Learning — Dayton, OH
- Service Learning — Des Moines, IA
- Service Learning — Madison, WI
- Service Learning — Akron, OH
- Service Learning — Wichita, KS
- Service Learning — Toledo, OH
- Service Learning — Springfield, MO
- Service Learning — Lansing, MI
- Service Learning — Fort Wayne, IN
- Service Learning — Youngstown, OH
- Service Learning — Flint, MI
- Service Learning — Canton, OH
- Service Learning — Davenport, IA
- Service Learning — Ann Arbor, MI
- Service Learning — Peoria, IL
- Service Learning — Lincoln, NE
- Service Learning — Rockford, IL
- Service Learning — Green Bay, WI
- Service Learning — South Bend, IN
- Service Learning — Sioux Falls, SD
- Service Learning — Duluth, MN
- Service Learning — Cedar Rapids, IA
- Service Learning — Evansville, IN
- Service Learning — Fargo, ND
- Service Learning — Kalamazoo, MI
- Service Learning — Appleton, WI
- Service Learning — Champaign, IL
- Service Learning — Topeka, KS
- Service Learning — Rochester, MN
- Service Learning — Lafayette, IN
- Service Learning — Columbia, MO
- Service Learning — Joplin, MO
- Service Learning — Elkhart, IN
- Service Learning — Springfield, IL
- Service Learning — St. Cloud, MN
- Service Learning — Racine, WI
- Service Learning — Saginaw, MI
- Service Learning — Iowa City, IA
- Service Learning — Muskegon, MI
- Service Learning — Eau Claire, WI
- Service Learning — Oshkosh, WI
- Service Learning — Bloomington, IL
- Service Learning — La Crosse, WI
- Service Learning — Terre Haute, IN
- Service Learning — Waterloo, IA
- Service Learning — Kenosha, WI
- Service Learning — Janesville, WI
- Service Learning — Bloomington, IN
- Service Learning — Jackson, MI
- Service Learning — Traverse City, MI
- Service Learning — Rapid City, SD
- Service Learning — Monroe, MI
- Service Learning — Jefferson City, MO
- Service Learning — Niles, MI
- Service Learning — Sioux City, IA
- Service Learning — Bismarck, ND
- Service Learning — Wausau, WI
- Service Learning — Manhattan, KS
- Service Learning — Springfield, OH
- Service Learning — Battle Creek, MI
- Service Learning — Ames, IA
- Service Learning — Mansfield, OH
- Service Learning — Lawrence, KS
- Service Learning — St. Joseph, MO
- Service Learning — Sheboygan, WI
- Service Learning — Muncie, IN
- Service Learning — Sandusky, OH
- Service Learning — Michigan City, IN
- Service Learning — Kankakee, IL
- Service Learning — Grand Forks, ND
- Service Learning — Mankato, MN
- Service Learning — Fond du Lac, WI
- Service Learning — Bay City, MI
- Service Learning — Lima, OH
- Service Learning — Dubuque, IA
- Service Learning — Decatur, IL
- Service Learning — Cape Girardeau, MO
- Service Learning — Columbus, IN
- Service Learning — Kokomo, IN
- Service Learning — Midland, MI
- Service Learning — Grand Island, NE
- Service Learning — Minot, ND
South
- Service Learning — Dallas, TX
- Service Learning — Houston, TX
- Service Learning — Atlanta, GA
- Service Learning — Washington, DC
- Service Learning — Miami, FL
- Service Learning — Tampa, FL
- Service Learning — Orlando, FL
- Service Learning — Charlotte, NC
- Service Learning — Baltimore, MD
- Service Learning — San Antonio, TX
- Service Learning — Austin, TX
- Service Learning — Nashville, TN
- Service Learning — Virginia Beach, VA
- Service Learning — Jacksonville, FL
- Service Learning — Raleigh, NC
- Service Learning — Oklahoma City, OK
- Service Learning — Louisville, KY
- Service Learning — Richmond, VA
- Service Learning — Memphis, TN
- Service Learning — Birmingham, AL
- Service Learning — Tulsa, OK
- Service Learning — Greenville, SC
- Service Learning — New Orleans, LA
- Service Learning — Knoxville, TN
- Service Learning — Sarasota metro area, FL
- Service Learning — McAllen, TX
- Service Learning — Charleston, SC
- Service Learning — Baton Rouge, LA
- Service Learning — El Paso, TX
- Service Learning — Columbia, SC
- Service Learning — Cape Coral, FL
- Service Learning — Lakeland, FL
- Service Learning — Greensboro, NC
- Service Learning — Little Rock, AR
- Service Learning — Deltona, FL
- Service Learning — Winston-Salem, NC
- Service Learning — Palm Bay, FL
- Service Learning — Augusta, GA
- Service Learning — Durham, NC
- Service Learning — Fayetteville, AR
- Service Learning — Jackson, MS
- Service Learning — Chattanooga, TN
- Service Learning — Port St. Lucie, FL
- Service Learning — Huntsville, AL
- Service Learning — Pensacola, FL
- Service Learning — Lexington, KY
- Service Learning — Killeen, TX
- Service Learning — Wilmington, NC
- Service Learning — Corpus Christi, TX
- Service Learning — Ocala, FL
- Service Learning — Savannah, GA
- Service Learning — Brownsville, TX
- Service Learning — Gulfport, MS
- Service Learning — Myrtle Beach, SC
- Service Learning — Lafayette, LA
- Service Learning — Asheville, NC
- Service Learning — Naples, FL
- Service Learning — Mobile, AL
- Service Learning — Spartanburg, SC
- Service Learning — Beaumont, TX
- Service Learning — Tallahassee, FL
- Service Learning — Fayetteville, NC
- Service Learning — Montgomery, AL
- Service Learning — Shreveport, LA
- Service Learning — Hickory, NC
- Service Learning — Lubbock, TX
- Service Learning — Huntington, WV
- Service Learning — Gainesville, FL
- Service Learning — Clarksville, TN
- Service Learning — Columbus, GA
- Service Learning — Roanoke, VA
- Service Learning — Hagerstown, MD
- Service Learning — Fort Walton Beach metro area, FL
- Service Learning — Kingsport, TN
- Service Learning — Waco, TX
- Service Learning — Longview, TX
- Service Learning — College Station, TX
- Service Learning — Tuscaloosa, AL
- Service Learning — Laredo, TX
- Service Learning — Slidell, LA
- Service Learning — Amarillo, TX
- Service Learning — Lynchburg, VA
- Service Learning — Daphne, AL
- Service Learning — Tyler, TX
- Service Learning — Lake Charles, LA
- Service Learning — Hilton Head Island, SC
- Service Learning — Macon, GA
- Service Learning — Fort Smith, AR
- Service Learning — Panama City, FL
- Service Learning — Charlottesville, VA
- Service Learning — Gainesville, GA
- Service Learning — Athens, GA
- Service Learning — Monroe, LA
- Service Learning — Punta Gorda, FL
- Service Learning — Jacksonville, NC
- Service Learning — Johnson City, TN
- Service Learning — Lexington Park, MD
- Service Learning — Warner Robins, GA
- Service Learning — Auburn, AL
- Service Learning — Florence, SC
- Service Learning — Charleston, WV
- Service Learning — Houma, LA
- Service Learning — Bowling Green, KY
- Service Learning — Dover, DE
- Service Learning — Midland, TX
- Service Learning — Burlington, NC
- Service Learning — Abilene, TX
- Service Learning — Jackson, TN
- Service Learning — Greenville, NC
- Service Learning — Blacksburg, VA
- Service Learning — Odessa, TX
- Service Learning — Vero Beach metro area, FL
- Service Learning — Homosassa Springs, FL
- Service Learning — Decatur, AL
- Service Learning — Hattiesburg, MS
- Service Learning — The Villages metro area, FL
- Service Learning — Florence, AL
- Service Learning — Dothan, AL
- Service Learning — Sherman, TX
- Service Learning — Valdosta, GA
- Service Learning — Winchester, VA
- Service Learning — Wichita Falls, TX
- Service Learning — Rocky Mount, NC
- Service Learning — Alexandria, LA
- Service Learning — Dalton, GA
- Service Learning — Texarkana, TX
- Service Learning — Albany, GA
- Service Learning — Morgantown, WV
- Service Learning — Hammond, LA
- Service Learning — Harrisonburg, VA
- Service Learning — Jonesboro, AR
- Service Learning — Wheeling, WV
- Service Learning — Cleveland, TN
- Service Learning — Salisbury, MD
- Service Learning — Staunton, VA
- Service Learning — Morristown, TN
- Service Learning — Elizabethtown, KY
- Service Learning — Lawton, OK
- Service Learning — Goldsboro, NC
- Service Learning — San Angelo, TX
- Service Learning — Brunswick, GA
- Service Learning — Anniston, AL
- Service Learning — Owensboro, KY
- Service Learning — Steubenville, WV
- Service Learning — Sebring, FL
- Service Learning — Pinehurst, NC
- Service Learning — Beckley, WV
- Service Learning — Sumter, SC
- Service Learning — Gadsden, AL
- Service Learning — Paducah, KY
- Service Learning — Rome, GA
- Service Learning — Victoria, TX
- Service Learning — Hot Springs, AR
- Service Learning — Hinesville, GA
- Service Learning — Parkersburg, WV
- Service Learning — Enid, OK
- Service Learning — Eagle Pass, TX
West
- Service Learning — Los Angeles, CA
- Service Learning — Phoenix, AZ
- Service Learning — Riverside, CA
- Service Learning — San Francisco, CA
- Service Learning — Seattle, WA
- Service Learning — San Diego, CA
- Service Learning — Denver, CO
- Service Learning — Portland, OR
- Service Learning — Sacramento, CA
- Service Learning — Las Vegas, NV
- Service Learning — San Jose, CA
- Service Learning — Salt Lake City, UT
- Service Learning — Fresno, CA
- Service Learning — Tucson, AZ
- Service Learning — Honolulu, HI
- Service Learning — Bakersfield, CA
- Service Learning — Albuquerque, NM
- Service Learning — Boise, ID
- Service Learning — Oxnard, CA
- Service Learning — Stockton, CA
- Service Learning — Colorado Springs, CO
- Service Learning — Provo, UT
- Service Learning — Ogden, UT
- Service Learning — Spokane, WA
- Service Learning — Reno, NV
- Service Learning — Modesto, CA
- Service Learning — Santa Rosa, CA
- Service Learning — Visalia, CA
- Service Learning — Vallejo, CA
- Service Learning — Salem, OR
- Service Learning — Santa Maria, CA
- Service Learning — Salinas, CA
- Service Learning — Anchorage, AK
- Service Learning — Eugene, OR
- Service Learning — Greeley, CO
- Service Learning — Fort Collins, CO
- Service Learning — Boulder, CO
- Service Learning — Kennewick, WA
- Service Learning — Olympia, WA
- Service Learning — Merced, CA
- Service Learning — Bremerton, WA
- Service Learning — San Luis Obispo, CA
- Service Learning — Bend, OR
- Service Learning — Yakima, WA
- Service Learning — Santa Cruz, CA
- Service Learning — Prescott metro area, AZ
- Service Learning — Bellingham, WA
- Service Learning — Las Cruces, NM
- Service Learning — Lake Havasu City, AZ
- Service Learning — Yuma, AZ
- Service Learning — Medford, OR
- Service Learning — St. George, UT
- Service Learning — Chico, CA
- Service Learning — Billings, MT
- Service Learning — Coeur d'Alene, ID
- Service Learning — Yuba City, CA
- Service Learning — Redding, CA
- Service Learning — El Centro, CA
- Service Learning — Idaho Falls, ID
- Service Learning — Pueblo, CO
- Service Learning — Grand Junction, CO
- Service Learning — Logan, UT
- Service Learning — Maui, HI
- Service Learning — Santa Fe, NM
- Service Learning — Hanford, CA
- Service Learning — Flagstaff, AZ
- Service Learning — Mount Vernon, WA
- Service Learning — Napa, CA
- Service Learning — Albany, OR
- Service Learning — Bozeman, MT
- Service Learning — Missoula, MT
- Service Learning — Wenatchee, WA
- Service Learning — Sierra Vista, AZ
- Service Learning — Twin Falls, ID
- Service Learning — Farmington, NM
- Service Learning — Longview, WA
- Service Learning — Cheyenne, WY
- Service Learning — Corvallis, OR
- Service Learning — Helena, MT
- Service Learning — Fairbanks, AK
- Service Learning — Pocatello, ID
- Service Learning — Grants Pass, OR
- Service Learning — Great Falls, MT
- Service Learning — Casper, WY
- Service Learning — Lewiston, ID
- Service Learning — Walla Walla, WA
- Service Learning — Carson City, NV
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