Sense of community has been in decline over the last decade. Community members may know who they live near and make small talk in the summer at block parties, but they have no connection to their community at large. This problem is plaguing small towns as well as large metropolitan cities.
America is going through a paradigm shift where people would rather send a monthly check to an organization than volunteer their hours. Americans seek the personal satisfaction of knowing they helped an organization, but cannot have that effort get in the way of their daily life. Wouldn't you like to know your donation provided health care to a low-income family?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics calculates the percentage of the population ages 16 or older who volunteered at least once in 2007 to be 26.2 percent. That figure represents a .5 percent decrease from 2006; the 2006 volunteerism rates fell 2.1 percent from 2005. Clearly, this is a problem. Volunteering is an outlet in which all parties participating benefit. We cannot expect an immediate large scale solution. We need to look to small community initiatives.
Across the nation, towns are establishing centers to help those most hurt by the decline in volunteerism. The Chesterbrook Learning Center in Waltham is a prime example of a local outlet for those eager to volunteer and donate. The Learning Center provides a safe place for students living in the Chesterbrook Gardens low-income housing development to be mentored and tutored by Bentley College students.
Bentley has a long-standing commitment to The Learning Center as well as many other local organizations. Their level of civic involvement is inspiring and serves as a model for Americans. If college students can manage a rigorous academic schedule and volunteer in the local community, no one should be discouraged to volunteer.
KATIE MALONE,
entley College, Waltham
