America’s young people – from kindergartners to college students – have the desire, energy and ability to make a real difference in their communities. Service-learning offers a unique opportunity for them to get involved in a tangible way by integrating community service projects with classroom learning. Service-learning engages students in the educational process, using what they learn in the classroom to solve real-life problems.  Students not only learn about democracy and citizenship, they become actively contributing citizens and community members through the service they perform.

Learn and Serve America, a national service program active from 1994-2011, engaged students, educators, youth workers, and community members in service-learning. The program made grants to schools, higher education institutions, Native American tribes, and community-based organizations to assist in the planning and implementation of service-learning programs.

Service-learning is an education and youth development strategy that connects learning objectives with meaningful service to the community. Students build civic, leadership, and academic skills while strengthening communities through service. Benefits include improved academic achievement, increased student engagement and civic skills, and stronger communities.

No funds have been appropriated for the program since 2011. Due to multi-year funding, six Youth Engagement Zone grants and several higher education grants are still active. All program grants will conclude by September 2013.

Learn and Serve America was led by the Corporation for National and Community Service, an independent federal agency created to connect Americans of all ages and backgrounds with opportunities to give back to their communities and their nation.