1. Psych 190 Dr. Elena Klaw

2.  Community service and you  Vets and community service  The Mission Continues  Satisfaction findings  Effects  What now?

3.  What role has community service played in your life?

4.  What unique strengths do veterans bring to community leadership roles?  How might veterans benefit from community (civic) involvement ?

5. The Mission Continues is a transition program for post- 9/11 vets that aims to leverage military experience, leadership skills, and service orientation.  The Mission Continues Fellowship Program provides veterans stipends to serve as volunteers at nonprofit organizations for a period of six months. It is a nonprofit organization that challenges post-9/11 veterans to continue to serve their country and communities after their military service has ended.

6.  Participants serve as a volunteer at a nonprofit organization in their local community for 14-28 weeks, typically at social service, youth, or veteran’s organizations.  Mission Continues Fellows were all United States military veterans, discharged after September 11, 2001, and reported having a service- connected disability.  Most were mostly younger than 35 (67%), Caucasian (67%), and male (83%).

7.  95% of fellows reported high levels of satisfaction with providing services to the community and learning about their organization.  Although slightly more than 20% of Fellows reported that participating in the Program was stressful, 100% reported that it was a worthwhile experience.  Fellows reported that the fellowship helped them to improve their chances of finding a job (82%), improve their performance on the job (91%), improve their chances of getting a promotion (82%), and make a career change (77%).

8. Personal growth through civic service  82% of participants reported that the Program exposed them to new ideas and ways of seeing the world.  64% reexamined their beliefs about the “real” world.  46% did things they never thought they could do.  64% changed some of their beliefs and attitudes. Self-truths: Values and beliefs  81% feel that they have had a good influence on the lives of many people.  Nearly all program participants report that others would say they have made a contribution to society.

9.  As a result of completing the Mission Continues Fellowship Program, 100% of Fellows reported that they will probably or definitely stay involved in volunteer activities and public service in the future.  Participants valued networking opportunities and a “sense of purpose.”

10.  All participants stated that The Mission Continues Fellowship Program allowed them to make a contribution to their communities.  Over 75% reported that they felt like part of a community, and 100% said they believe they made a difference in the life of at least one person.  68% stated they are aware of what can be done to meet the important needs in their community, and 76% try to make a positive difference in their communities.  68% reported a strong attachment to their communities.

11.  What about domestic national service as an option for those who want to serve?  Service-learning as mandatory or available to all college students?  Can we provide an an infrastructure and support for national service that is as impressive as the structure of the military ?