Donate

The National Center for Families Learning applauds Congressional resolution

This week, members of Congress introduced a resolution celebrating the broad benefits of Family Service Learning. The Resolution designates the week of November 19, 2018, as “National Family Service Learning Week,” and was led by Senators Rand Paul (R-KY), John Cornyn (R-TX), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jack Reed (D-RI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Rob Portman (R-OH), and Representatives John Yarmuth (D-KY), Phil Roe (R-TN), Sam Johnson (R-TX), and Dina Titus (D-NV).

Family Service Learning is a model developed by the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL), extending service-learning benefits to families through a multi-generational approach. The six-step model provides education and empowerment to families that allow them to effect change in their communities. Working together with other families, the process allows for investigation of a problem in need of a solution and provides the steps to find that solution. Many times, this includes tapping into other community leadership or resources. The results have shown a greater sense of community pride, in addition to the development of potential workforce skills such as critical thinking and group problem solving. 

Among its many benefits, Family Service Learning improves workforce and literacy skills while enabling parents to become stronger teachers and role models for their children. 

Results from an independent evaluation of Family Service Learning show that Family Service Learning can:

  • Expand voice, social capital, and networks of participating adults;
  • Expand self-efficacy and self-confidence;
  • Increase formal learning, including content knowledge, research, and academic skills;
  • Increase technology skills;
  • Increase opportunities to develop work-based skills;
  • Improve employment status—46% of participating adults secured a job or improved their existing work status.

You can learn more about Family Service Learning by exploring: