essay on community workers

Essays About Community Service: Top 5 Examples Plus Prompts

If you are looking for your next writing topic, discover top examples of essays about community service and helpful writing prompts in our guide.

Community service refers to an individual or a group’s volunteer work dedicated to improving the community and its people. In America, Benjamin Franklin introduced community service in the 18th century by developing the idea of ​​the first volunteer firehouse in Philadelphia . Since then, stepping up has become a norm, with more people encouraged to participate.

Volunteering helps individuals gain experience, improve self-esteem, expand knowledge, and promote healthy goals. In addition, choosing community service as a topic in your essay allows you to explain its significance to entice your readers to get involved. To give you an idea of ​​how to write essays about community service, here are five examples that will help you.

5 Top Examples On Essays About Community Service

1. essay on community service and its importance by joni kim, 2. community service experience: essay on what i learned by anonymous on gradesfixer.com, 3. why is community service important by perry mullins, 4. concept of the community services in modern society essay by anonymous on ivypanda.com, 5. community service experience essay by writer molly, 1. community service vs. volunteering, 2. community service: then and now, 3. why we should volunteer, 4. community service in schools: mandatory or voluntary, 5. community service and its influences, 6. types of community service, 7. my community service experience, 8. donation or service: what’s better to give.

“The service helps the group of people in need, for example, senior citizens, children, people with disability and the likes. Sometimes community service is geared towards solving problems related to the needs of community members, especially low-income earners.”

Kim explains that community service is a voluntary action done through various means. It includes health and child care services, education, housing, and other improvements to aid and support the community members who need the most assistance. Then, Kim focuses on its importance to individuals, the community, and the country. The essay showcases how community service improves social, interpersonal, and decision-making skills. It also allows students to explore and find their interests. Ultimately, Kim believes that the real-life experience of volunteering assists in determining one’s career path, providing advantages when applying for a job.

“This experience has helped me to cherish my ability to influence and impact others in a positive way, and it helped me to look at community service as a benefit for myself, instead of just another obligation to fit into my schedule.”

In this essay, the writer reflects on their community service experience, sharing the gains they reaped from the program. They discuss how their undying love for animals and tight-knit communities made them realize the gravity of sharing. They also had the opportunity to strengthen and develop a new set of talents and skills from the encounter. However, the author also mentions that when the desire to do good morphs into a forced responsibility, it leads to failure. The writer says they often receive more benefits than the people and animals they help, as the experience makes them more patient, flexible, and responsible.

“True volunteering lies in an individual’s will and drives to help other and enforcing it eliminates that drive.”

Mullins focuses his essay on explaining why it should not be mandatory for students to do community service. For him, mandatory volunteering takes away the true meaning of volunteerism. Students only view it as additional work – an obligatory criterion they must check off their list to graduate. He claims that students will gain nothing but stress instead of new skills and knowledge when compulsory community services are in place.

“As for me, I consider community work as a good opportunity to get the main idea of some particular services, still, I would not have the same great desire to participate in social life if the services would become obligatory for graduation.”

In modern society, volunteering is becoming a necessary factor in many organizations. People with experience in community service have more opportunities to get a job. The author delves into community service’s importance but also criticizes that making it a requisite takes away its value. With various arguments from professionals like Alina Tugend , the essay further argues that no one would want to receive help from people who consider it an obligation.

“The community service project is different from other school educations the community service can teach us how to love others and how to fulfill our heart with joy.”

Molly dislikes homeless people because of their appearance and smell, but this all changes when cleaning and selling preloved items to homeless people becomes the best experience of her life. Community service taught her that the homeless are no different from her. She also learned to be thankful for her situation. She concludes that after the program, she became more respectful, responsible, and caring to other people.

Do you want to secure that A+ Grade? Check out our round-up of the best essay writing apps for students and academics.

8 Helpful Prompts on Essays About Community Service

If you’re still confused about the topic and can’t choose what to talk about, you can use the prompts below:

To write this prompt, the first part of your essay should discuss the meaning of community service and volunteering. Next, identify and examine the different characteristics of a community service worker and volunteer to clearly explain their similarities and differences. Then finish your essay with your opinion on the matter or look for more information you can expound on in your own words. 

This prompt shows how people’s definitions, processes, and perceptions of community service changed over time. Research and write down how community service started in your country or area to make it more relatable. Include examples of community services that made a big difference for the community and consider how these services impacted people’s lives.

Explain to your readers what voluntary work means and why exposure to it is crucial. Next, write the advantages and disadvantages of volunteering and what they should expect if they decide to be a volunteer. Finally, share your experience to clarify your comments, suggestions, and other points.

The decision to make community service mandatory in every school is still up for debate. First, pen your opinion on this topic and whether or not you agree with compulsory community service. Then, discuss your reasons and provide examples or factual evidence to support your arguments.

Identify and scrutinize the positive and negative effects of community service. Find news articles where one type of community service impacted its volunteers, community, and people differently. Write down how the organizer dealt with different situations and if it affected the program’s outcome.

There are three kinds of community service: direct, indirect, and advocacy. First, discuss and give examples for each one. Then, explain how these services differ from programs under service-learning. For example, direct community service includes directly serving homeless people food and clothes, while in service-learning, volunteers will teach people to garden and earn income. 

Use this prompt to share your memorable experience while doing community service and what you learned from it. It doesn’t matter if it’s a short program at your school, work, or organization. The important thing is that you have experience in community service. Include your initial reaction and if it changed over time while you were doing the service.

Some choose to donate money to various organizations that perform community service. Others join the program and personally help other people. In this prompt, share your opinion on the topic and whether you consider donating as community service. To make your essay more intriguing, look for prominent personalities who consistently contribute or engage in community service versus those who only present monetary assistance. 

AI grammar checkers are powerful resources that can help you improve your writing. See our guide on how to use an AI grammar checker. For help with this topic, read our guide explaining what is persuasive writing ?

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How to Write the Community Essay – Guide with Examples (2023-24)

September 6, 2023

Students applying to college this year will inevitably confront the community essay. In fact, most students will end up responding to several community essay prompts for different schools. For this reason, you should know more than simply how to approach the community essay as a genre. Rather, you will want to learn how to decipher the nuances of each particular prompt, in order to adapt your response appropriately. In this article, we’ll show you how to do just that, through several community essay examples. These examples will also demonstrate how to avoid cliché and make the community essay authentically and convincingly your own.

Emphasis on Community

Do keep in mind that inherent in the word “community” is the idea of multiple people. The personal statement already provides you with a chance to tell the college admissions committee about yourself as an individual. The community essay, however, suggests that you depict yourself among others. You can use this opportunity to your advantage by showing off interpersonal skills, for example. Or, perhaps you wish to relate a moment that forged important relationships. This in turn will indicate what kind of connections you’ll make in the classroom with college peers and professors.

Apart from comprising numerous people, a community can appear in many shapes and sizes. It could be as small as a volleyball team, or as large as a diaspora. It could fill a town soup kitchen, or spread across five boroughs. In fact, due to the internet, certain communities today don’t even require a physical place to congregate. Communities can form around a shared identity, shared place, shared hobby, shared ideology, or shared call to action. They can even arise due to a shared yet unforeseen circumstance.

What is the Community Essay All About?             

In a nutshell, the community essay should exhibit three things:

• An aspect of yourself, 2. in the context of a community you belonged to, and 3. how this experience may shape your contribution to the community you’ll join in college.

It may look like a fairly simple equation: 1 + 2 = 3. However, each college will word their community essay prompt differently, so it’s important to look out for additional variables. One college may use the community essay as a way to glimpse your core values. Another may use the essay to understand how you would add to diversity on campus. Some may let you decide in which direction to take it—and there are many ways to go!

To get a better idea of how the prompts differ, let’s take a look at some real community essay prompts from the current admission cycle.

Sample 2023-2024 Community Essay Prompts

1) brown university.

“Students entering Brown often find that making their home on College Hill naturally invites reflection on where they came from. Share how an aspect of your growing up has inspired or challenged you, and what unique contributions this might allow you to make to the Brown community. (200-250 words)”

A close reading of this prompt shows that Brown puts particular emphasis on place. They do this by using the words “home,” “College Hill,” and “where they came from.” Thus, Brown invites writers to think about community through the prism of place. They also emphasize the idea of personal growth or change, through the words “inspired or challenged you.” Therefore, Brown wishes to see how the place you grew up in has affected you. And, they want to know how you in turn will affect their college community.

“NYU was founded on the belief that a student’s identity should not dictate the ability for them to access higher education. That sense of opportunity for all students, of all backgrounds, remains a part of who we are today and a critical part of what makes us a world-class university. Our community embraces diversity, in all its forms, as a cornerstone of the NYU experience.

We would like to better understand how your experiences would help us to shape and grow our diverse community. Please respond in 250 words or less.”

Here, NYU places an emphasis on students’ “identity,” “backgrounds,” and “diversity,” rather than any physical place. (For some students, place may be tied up in those ideas.) Furthermore, while NYU doesn’t ask specifically how identity has changed the essay writer, they do ask about your “experience.” Take this to mean that you can still recount a specific moment, or several moments, that work to portray your particular background. You should also try to link your story with NYU’s values of inclusivity and opportunity.

3) University of Washington

“Our families and communities often define us and our individual worlds. Community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the UW. (300 words max) Tip: Keep in mind that the UW strives to create a community of students richly diverse in cultural backgrounds, experiences, values and viewpoints.”

UW ’s community essay prompt may look the most approachable, for they help define the idea of community. You’ll notice that most of their examples (“families,” “cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood”…) place an emphasis on people. This may clue you in on their desire to see the relationships you’ve made. At the same time, UW uses the words “individual” and “richly diverse.” They, like NYU, wish to see how you fit in and stand out, in order to boost campus diversity.

Writing Your First Community Essay

Begin by picking which community essay you’ll write first. (For practical reasons, you’ll probably want to go with whichever one is due earliest.) Spend time doing a close reading of the prompt, as we’ve done above. Underline key words. Try to interpret exactly what the prompt is asking through these keywords.

Next, brainstorm. I recommend doing this on a blank piece of paper with a pencil. Across the top, make a row of headings. These might be the communities you’re a part of, or the components that make up your identity. Then, jot down descriptive words underneath in each column—whatever comes to you. These words may invoke people and experiences you had with them, feelings, moments of growth, lessons learned, values developed, etc. Now, narrow in on the idea that offers the richest material and that corresponds fully with the prompt.

Lastly, write! You’ll definitely want to describe real moments, in vivid detail. This will keep your essay original, and help you avoid cliché. However, you’ll need to summarize the experience and answer the prompt succinctly, so don’t stray too far into storytelling mode.

How To Adapt Your Community Essay

Once your first essay is complete, you’ll need to adapt it to the other colleges involving community essays on your list. Again, you’ll want to turn to the prompt for a close reading, and recognize what makes this prompt different from the last. For example, let’s say you’ve written your essay for UW about belonging to your swim team, and how the sports dynamics shaped you. Adapting that essay to Brown’s prompt could involve more of a focus on place. You may ask yourself, how was my swim team in Alaska different than the swim teams we competed against in other states?

Once you’ve adapted the content, you’ll also want to adapt the wording to mimic the prompt. For example, let’s say your UW essay states, “Thinking back to my years in the pool…” As you adapt this essay to Brown’s prompt, you may notice that Brown uses the word “reflection.” Therefore, you might change this sentence to “Reflecting back on my years in the pool…” While this change is minute, it cleverly signals to the reader that you’ve paid attention to the prompt, and are giving that school your full attention.

What to Avoid When Writing the Community Essay  

• Avoid cliché. Some students worry that their idea is cliché, or worse, that their background or identity is cliché. However, what makes an essay cliché is not the content, but the way the content is conveyed. This is where your voice and your descriptions become essential.
• Avoid giving too many examples. Stick to one community, and one or two anecdotes arising from that community that allow you to answer the prompt fully.
• Don’t exaggerate or twist facts. Sometimes students feel they must make themselves sound more “diverse” than they feel they are. Luckily, diversity is not a feeling. Likewise, diversity does not simply refer to one’s heritage. If the prompt is asking about your identity or background, you can show the originality of your experiences through your actions and your thinking.

Community Essay Examples and Analysis

Brown university community essay example.

I used to hate the NYC subway. I’ve taken it since I was six, going up and down Manhattan, to and from school. By high school, it was a daily nightmare. Spending so much time underground, underneath fluorescent lighting, squashed inside a rickety, rocking train car among strangers, some of whom wanted to talk about conspiracy theories, others who had bedbugs or B.O., or who manspread across two seats, or bickered—it wore me out. The challenge of going anywhere seemed absurd. I dreaded the claustrophobia and disgruntlement.

Yet the subway also inspired my understanding of community. I will never forget the morning I saw a man, several seats away, slide out of his seat and hit the floor. The thump shocked everyone to attention. What we noticed: he appeared drunk, possibly homeless. I was digesting this when a second man got up and, through a sort of awkward embrace, heaved the first man back into his seat. The rest of us had stuck to subway social codes: don’t step out of line. Yet this second man’s silent actions spoke loudly. They said, “I care.”

That day I realized I belong to a group of strangers. What holds us together is our transience, our vulnerabilities, and a willingness to assist. This community is not perfect but one in motion, a perpetual work-in-progress. Now I make it my aim to hold others up. I plan to contribute to the Brown community by helping fellow students and strangers in moments of precariousness.    

Brown University Community Essay Example Analysis

Here the student finds an original way to write about where they come from. The subway is not their home, yet it remains integral to ideas of belonging. The student shows how a community can be built between strangers, in their responsibility toward each other. The student succeeds at incorporating key words from the prompt (“challenge,” “inspired” “Brown community,” “contribute”) into their community essay.

UW Community Essay Example

I grew up in Hawaii, a world bound by water and rich in diversity. In school we learned that this sacred land was invaded, first by Captain Cook, then by missionaries, whalers, traders, plantation owners, and the U.S. government. My parents became part of this problematic takeover when they moved here in the 90s. The first community we knew was our church congregation. At the beginning of mass, we shook hands with our neighbors. We held hands again when we sang the Lord’s Prayer. I didn’t realize our church wasn’t “normal” until our diocese was informed that we had to stop dancing hula and singing Hawaiian hymns. The order came from the Pope himself.

Eventually, I lost faith in God and organized institutions. I thought the banning of hula—an ancient and pure form of expression—seemed medieval, ignorant, and unfair, given that the Hawaiian religion had already been stamped out. I felt a lack of community and a distrust for any place in which I might find one. As a postcolonial inhabitant, I could never belong to the Hawaiian culture, no matter how much I valued it. Then, I was shocked to learn that Queen Ka’ahumanu herself had eliminated the Kapu system, a strict code of conduct in which women were inferior to men. Next went the Hawaiian religion. Queen Ka’ahumanu burned all the temples before turning to Christianity, hoping this religion would offer better opportunities for her people.

Community Essay (Continued)

I’m not sure what to make of this history. Should I view Queen Ka’ahumanu as a feminist hero, or another failure in her islands’ tragedy? Nothing is black and white about her story, but she did what she thought was beneficial to her people, regardless of tradition. From her story, I’ve learned to accept complexity. I can disagree with institutionalized religion while still believing in my neighbors. I am a product of this place and their presence. At UW, I plan to add to campus diversity through my experience, knowing that diversity comes with contradictions and complications, all of which should be approached with an open and informed mind.

UW Community Essay Example Analysis

This student also manages to weave in words from the prompt (“family,” “community,” “world,” “product of it,” “add to the diversity,” etc.). Moreover, the student picks one of the examples of community mentioned in the prompt, (namely, a religious group,) and deepens their answer by addressing the complexity inherent in the community they’ve been involved in. While the student displays an inner turmoil about their identity and participation, they find a way to show how they’d contribute to an open-minded campus through their values and intellectual rigor.

What’s Next

For more on supplemental essays and essay writing guides, check out the following articles:

• How to Write the Why This Major Essay + Example
• How to Write the Overcoming Challenges Essay + Example
• How to Start a College Essay – 12 Techniques and Tips
• College Essay

Kaylen Baker

With a BA in Literary Studies from Middlebury College, an MFA in Fiction from Columbia University, and a Master’s in Translation from Université Paris 8 Vincennes-Saint-Denis, Kaylen has been working with students on their writing for over five years. Previously, Kaylen taught a fiction course for high school students as part of Columbia Artists/Teachers, and served as an English Language Assistant for the French National Department of Education. Kaylen is an experienced writer/translator whose work has been featured in Los Angeles Review, Hybrid, San Francisco Bay Guardian, France Today, and Honolulu Weekly, among others.

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How to Write a Great Community Service Essay

College Admissions , Extracurriculars

Are you applying to a college or a scholarship that requires a community service essay? Do you know how to write an essay that will impress readers and clearly show the impact your work had on yourself and others?

Read on to learn step-by-step instructions for writing a great community service essay that will help you stand out and be memorable.

What Is a Community Service Essay? Why Do You Need One?

A community service essay is an essay that describes the volunteer work you did and the impact it had on you and your community. Community service essays can vary widely depending on specific requirements listed in the application, but, in general, they describe the work you did, why you found the work important, and how it benefited people around you.

Community service essays are typically needed for two reasons:

#1: To Apply to College

• Some colleges require students to write community service essays as part of their application or to be eligible for certain scholarships.
• You may also choose to highlight your community service work in your personal statement.

#2: To Apply for Scholarships

• Some scholarships are specifically awarded to students with exceptional community service experiences, and many use community service essays to help choose scholarship recipients.
• Green Mountain College offers one of the most famous of these scholarships. Their "Make a Difference Scholarship" offers full tuition, room, and board to students who have demonstrated a significant, positive impact through their community service

Getting Started With Your Essay

In the following sections, I'll go over each step of how to plan and write your essay. I'll also include sample excerpts for you to look through so you can get a better idea of what readers are looking for when they review your essay.

Step 1: Know the Essay Requirements

Before your start writing a single word, you should be familiar with the essay prompt. Each college or scholarship will have different requirements for their essay, so make sure you read these carefully and understand them.

Specific things to pay attention to include:

• Length requirement
• Application deadline
• The main purpose or focus of the essay
• If the essay should follow a specific structure

Below are three real community service essay prompts. Read through them and notice how much they vary in terms of length, detail, and what information the writer should include.

From the Equitable Excellence Scholarship:

"Describe your outstanding achievement in depth and provide the specific planning, training, goals, and steps taken to make the accomplishment successful. Include details about your role and highlight leadership you provided. Your essay must be a minimum of 350 words but not more than 600 words."

From the Laura W. Bush Traveling Scholarship:

"Essay (up to 500 words, double spaced) explaining your interest in being considered for the award and how your proposed project reflects or is related to both UNESCO's mandate and U.S. interests in promoting peace by sharing advances in education, science, culture, and communications."

From the LULAC National Scholarship Fund:

"Please type or print an essay of 300 words (maximum) on how your academic studies will contribute to your personal & professional goals. In addition, please discuss any community service or extracurricular activities you have been involved in that relate to your goals."

Step 2: Brainstorm Ideas

Even after you understand what the essay should be about, it can still be difficult to begin writing. Answer the following questions to help brainstorm essay ideas. You may be able to incorporate your answers into your essay.

• What community service activity that you've participated in has meant the most to you?
• What is your favorite memory from performing community service?
• Why did you decide to begin community service?
• What made you decide to volunteer where you did?
• How has your community service changed you?
• How has your community service helped others?
• How has your community service affected your plans for the future?

You don't need to answer all the questions, but if you find you have a lot of ideas for one of two of them, those may be things you want to include in your essay.

Writing Your Essay

How you structure your essay will depend on the requirements of the scholarship or school you are applying to. You may give an overview of all the work you did as a volunteer, or highlight a particularly memorable experience. You may focus on your personal growth or how your community benefited.

Regardless of the specific structure requested, follow the guidelines below to make sure your community service essay is memorable and clearly shows the impact of your work.

Samples of mediocre and excellent essays are included below to give you a better idea of how you should draft your own essay.

Step 1: Hook Your Reader In

You want the person reading your essay to be interested, so your first sentence should hook them in and entice them to read more. A good way to do this is to start in the middle of the action. Your first sentence could describe you helping build a house, releasing a rescued animal back to the wild, watching a student you tutored read a book on their own, or something else that quickly gets the reader interested. This will help set your essay apart and make it more memorable.

Compare these two opening sentences:

"I have volunteered at the Wishbone Pet Shelter for three years."

"The moment I saw the starving, mud-splattered puppy brought into the shelter with its tail between its legs, I knew I'd do whatever I could to save it."

The first sentence is a very general, bland statement. The majority of community service essays probably begin a lot like it, but it gives the reader little information and does nothing to draw them in. On the other hand, the second sentence begins immediately with action and helps persuade the reader to keep reading so they can learn what happened to the dog.

Step 2: Discuss the Work You Did

Once you've hooked your reader in with your first sentence, tell them about your community service experiences. State where you work, when you began working, how much time you've spent there, and what your main duties include. This will help the reader quickly put the rest of the essay in context and understand the basics of your community service work.

Not including basic details about your community service could leave your reader confused.

Step 3: Include Specific Details

It's the details of your community service that make your experience unique and memorable, so go into the specifics of what you did.

For example, don't just say you volunteered at a nursing home; talk about reading Mrs. Johnson her favorite book, watching Mr. Scott win at bingo, and seeing the residents play games with their grandchildren at the family day you organized. Try to include specific activities, moments, and people in your essay. Having details like these let the readers really understand what work you did and how it differs from other volunteer experiences.

Compare these two passages:

"For my volunteer work, I tutored children at a local elementary school. I helped them improve their math skills and become more confident students."

"As a volunteer at York Elementary School, I worked one-on-one with second and third graders who struggled with their math skills, particularly addition, subtraction, and fractions. As part of my work, I would create practice problems and quizzes and try to connect math to the students' interests. One of my favorite memories was when Sara, a student I had been working with for several weeks, told me that she enjoyed the math problems I had created about a girl buying and selling horses so much that she asked to help me create math problems for other students."

The first passage only gives basic information about the work done by the volunteer; there is very little detail included, and no evidence is given to support her claims. How did she help students improve their math skills? How did she know they were becoming more confident?

The second passage is much more detailed. It recounts a specific story and explains more fully what kind of work the volunteer did, as well as a specific instance of a student becoming more confident with her math skills. Providing more detail in your essay helps support your claims as well as make your essay more memorable and unique.

Step 4: Show Your Personality

It would be very hard to get a scholarship or place at a school if none of your readers felt like they knew much about you after finishing your essay, so make sure that your essay shows your personality. The way to do this is to state your personal strengths, then provide examples to support your claims. Take some time to think about which parts of your personality you would like your essay to highlight, then write about specific examples to show this.

• If you want to show that you're a motivated leader, describe a time when you organized an event or supervised other volunteers.
• If you want to show your teamwork skills, write about a time you helped a group of people work together better.
• If you want to show that you're a compassionate animal lover, write about taking care of neglected shelter animals and helping each of them find homes.

Step 5: State What You Accomplished

After you have described your community service and given specific examples of your work, you want to begin to wrap your essay up by stating your accomplishments. What was the impact of your community service? Did you build a house for a family to move into? Help students improve their reading skills? Clean up a local park? Make sure the impact of your work is clear; don't be worried about bragging here.

If you can include specific numbers, that will also strengthen your essay. Saying "I delivered meals to 24 home-bound senior citizens" is a stronger example than just saying "I delivered meals to lots of senior citizens."

Also be sure to explain why your work matters. Why is what you did important? Did it provide more parks for kids to play in? Help students get better grades? Give people medical care who would otherwise not have gotten it? This is an important part of your essay, so make sure to go into enough detail that your readers will know exactly what you accomplished and how it helped your community.

"My biggest accomplishment during my community service was helping to organize a family event at the retirement home. The children and grandchildren of many residents attended, and they all enjoyed playing games and watching movies together."

"The community service accomplishment that I'm most proud of is the work I did to help organize the First Annual Family Fun Day at the retirement home. My job was to design and organize fun activities that senior citizens and their younger relatives could enjoy. The event lasted eight hours and included ten different games, two performances, and a movie screening with popcorn. Almost 200 residents and family members attended throughout the day. This event was important because it provided an opportunity for senior citizens to connect with their family members in a way they aren't often able to. It also made the retirement home seem more fun and enjoyable to children, and we have seen an increase in the number of kids coming to visit their grandparents since the event."

The second passage is stronger for a variety of reasons. First, it goes into much more detail about the work the volunteer did. The first passage only states that she helped "organize a family event." That really doesn't tell readers much about her work or what her responsibilities were. The second passage is much clearer; her job was to "design and organize fun activities."

The second passage also explains the event in more depth. A family day can be many things; remember that your readers are likely not familiar with what you're talking about, so details help them get a clearer picture.

Lastly, the second passage makes the importance of the event clear: it helped residents connect with younger family members, and it helped retirement homes seem less intimidating to children, so now some residents see their grand kids more often.

Step 6: Discuss What You Learned

One of the final things to include in your essay should be the impact that your community service had on you. You can discuss skills you learned, such as carpentry, public speaking, animal care, or another skill.

You can also talk about how you changed personally. Are you more patient now? More understanding of others? Do you have a better idea of the type of career you want? Go into depth about this, but be honest. Don't say your community service changed your life if it didn't because trite statements won't impress readers.

In order to support your statements, provide more examples. If you say you're more patient now, how do you know this? Do you get less frustrated while playing with your younger siblings? Are you more willing to help group partners who are struggling with their part of the work? You've probably noticed by now that including specific examples and details is one of the best ways to create a strong and believable essay .

"As a result of my community service, I learned a lot about building houses and became a more mature person."

"As a result of my community service, I gained hands-on experience in construction. I learned how to read blueprints, use a hammer and nails, and begin constructing the foundation of a two-bedroom house. Working on the house could be challenging at times, but it taught me to appreciate the value of hard work and be more willing to pitch in when I see someone needs help. My dad has just started building a shed in our backyard, and I offered to help him with it because I know from my community service how much work it is. I also appreciate my own house more, and I know how lucky I am to have a roof over my head."

The second passage is more impressive and memorable because it describes the skills the writer learned in more detail and recounts a specific story that supports her claim that her community service changed her and made her more helpful.

Step 7: Finish Strong

Just as you started your essay in a way that would grab readers' attention, you want to finish your essay on a strong note as well. A good way to end your essay is to state again the impact your work had on you, your community, or both. Reiterate how you changed as a result of your community service, why you found the work important, or how it helped others.

Compare these two concluding statements:

"In conclusion, I learned a lot from my community service at my local museum, and I hope to keep volunteering and learning more about history."

"To conclude, volunteering at my city's American History Museum has been a great experience. By leading tours and participating in special events, I became better at public speaking and am now more comfortable starting conversations with people. In return, I was able to get more community members interested in history and our local museum. My interest in history has deepened, and I look forward to studying the subject in college and hopefully continuing my volunteer work at my university's own museum."

The second passage takes each point made in the first passage and expands upon it. In a few sentences, the second passage is able to clearly convey what work the volunteer did, how she changed, and how her volunteer work benefited her community.

The author of the second passage also ends her essay discussing her future and how she'd like to continue her community service, which is a good way to wrap things up because it shows your readers that you are committed to community service for the long-term.

What's Next?

Are you applying to a community service scholarship or thinking about it? We have a complete list of all the community service scholarships available to help get your search started!

Do you need a community service letter as well? We have a step-by-step guide that will tell you how to get a great reference letter from your community service supervisor.

Thinking about doing community service abroad? Before you sign up, read our guide on some of the hazards of international volunteer trips and how to know if it's the right choice for you.

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Hey folks! I want to write a college essay about my community service experience. I'm not really sure where to start, though. Have any of you written similar essays or come across any good examples that might inspire me? Thanks!

Hello! Writing a college essay about community service can be a meaningful way to highlight your impact on others and your personal growth. To help you craft a compelling essay, here are a few tips and an example to get you started.

1. Narrate a specific experience: Instead of recounting all your community service experiences, focus on a single event or project that genuinely impacted you. Describe the project, the people you worked with, and your role within the group.

2. Demonstrate personal growth: Use your chosen experience to illustrate personal growth and development. Describe any challenges you faced, how you navigated them, and what you learned from the experience.

3. Show, don't tell: Use vivid details and anecdotes to bring your story to life. Rather than saying you developed leadership skills, describe a moment in your community service when you had to step up and lead or support your peers through a challenge.

4. Make connections: Reflect on how this community service experience has shaped your values or goals. Connecting your experience to your aspirations helps show how it has influenced your college or career ambitions.

Here's an example to help inspire your own essay:

"During my junior year, I joined a volunteer group to help revitalize a local park. Our group consisted of diverse members, ranging from middle school students to retired professionals. Initially, I was hesitant to engage with the others, fearing the generational gaps. However, as I worked alongside them, I realized that everyone shared the common goal of restoring the park, and together, we overcame the limitations that our age differences posed.

One Saturday, rain unexpectedly poured down, jeopardizing the progress we had made in painting a mural. As the rain soaked the artwork, I witnessed my team's morale plummet. Recognizing the need for action, I took the initiative to gather the group. Together, we brainstormed creative solutions to protect our art from the weather, such as using tarps and rain-reflective paint. I also made sure to allocate tasks to people based on their strengths and preferences.

In the end, the mural not only survived the storm but became a symbol of hope and resilience for our community. This experience taught me how valuable collaboration and resourcefulness are when facing challenges, and it strengthened my confidence in my ability to lead.

From revitalizing the park, I learned that my ability to communicate and connect with people from different backgrounds plays a vital role in fostering a supportive and collaborative environment. This shift in my perspective has transformed my approach to problem-solving and has inspired me to pursue a career in community development. I am eager to continue my journey of growth and leadership in my future studies."

Remember to personalize your essay and be genuine in your storytelling. Good luck with your writing!

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The Importance of Community Service

Table of contents, fostering empathy and compassion, enhancing skill development, cultivating social responsibility, creating lasting change, connecting education to reality, building character and values, fostering lifelong commitment.

• Conclusion The importance of community service is an embodiment of humanity's capacity for compassion, empathy, and positive change. For students, community service offers a transformative journey that extends beyond the classroom, enriching their lives and the lives of those they touch. Through fostering empathy, enhancing skill development, cultivating social responsibility, creating lasting change, connecting education to reality, building character and values, and fostering a lifelong commitment, community service equips students with the tools and mindset needed to navigate an increasingly interconnected and complex world. As students engage in acts of service, they contribute to the creation of a more just, equitable, and compassionate society. They become agents of positive change, embodying the belief that even small actions can have a profound impact on the lives of others. In a world that often emphasizes individualism and competition, community service reminds us of our shared humanity and the power of collective effort. It serves as a reminder that each individual has a role to play in creating a better world, and that through service, we can leave a lasting legacy of kindness, empathy, and progress for generations to come.

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An in-depth essay exploring the importance, benefits, and impact of engaging in community service activities.

Engaging in community service can be a transformative experience that goes beyond simple acts of kindness. It acts as a catalyst in not only empowering individuals but also in fostering a sense of belonging and empathy within a community. Community service offers a unique platform where one can contribute their skills and energy to create positive change.

One of the remarkable things about community service is how it instills a sense of purpose and personal fulfillment. It allows individuals to connect deeply with others and make a real difference in the lives of those in need. The act of volunteering challenges one’s perspectives and expands their horizons, enabling them to see the world from a different lens.

Moreover, community service provides an opportunity to develop essential life skills such as leadership, communication, and problem-solving. As individuals engage in various projects and initiatives, they learn to work collaboratively, adapt to different situations, and think critically. These skills are not only valuable in personal growth but also in professional settings.

By actively participating in community service, individuals also become acutely aware of the social issues and challenges faced by their local communities. This increased awareness leads individuals to develop a greater understanding of societal problems and motivates them to take action, ultimately creating a ripple effect that brings about positive change. Community service is not just about giving, but also about creating a sense of responsibility and driving collective impact.

Personal growth and development through community service

Engaging in community service can have a profound impact on personal growth and development. By actively participating in volunteer activities, individuals have the opportunity to expand their horizons, gain new perspectives, and develop valuable skills.

Participating in community service exposes individuals to diverse communities, cultures, and experiences. Whether it’s working with children in an underprivileged school, volunteering at a local shelter, or assisting with environmental conservation efforts, individuals are able to step outside of their comfort zones and interact with people from different walks of life. This exposure fosters empathy and understanding, broadening their worldview and helping them develop a greater appreciation for the struggles and triumphs of others.

Furthermore, community service allows individuals to acquire and develop crucial skills such as leadership, communication, and problem-solving. Whether it’s organizing an event, leading a team of volunteers, or finding creative solutions to challenges, individuals are able to refine their abilities in a real-world setting. These skills not only benefit individuals in their volunteer work, but also in their personal and professional lives.

In addition to gaining new perspectives and developing skills, community service also provides individuals with a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Contributing to the well-being of others and making a positive difference in the community can be incredibly rewarding. Engaging in acts of service allows individuals to tap into a deeper sense of meaning and connect with something greater than themselves.

Overall, participating in community service is not just about fulfilling a specific need or providing assistance to others. It offers individuals the opportunity for personal growth and development, allowing them to broaden their perspectives, develop valuable skills, and find fulfillment in making a positive impact on their communities.

Building strong relationships and fostering a sense of community

One of the remarkable advantages of engaging in community service is the opportunity to build strong relationships and create a sense of connection among individuals. By working together towards a common goal, people can form bonds and develop meaningful friendships that go beyond superficial interactions. Participating in community service activities allows individuals to meet and interact with people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives, thereby fostering a sense of unity and understanding.

Engaging in community service provides a platform for individuals to collaborate and cooperate with others, leading to the formation of strong bonds and friendships. Through shared experiences and the mutual desire to make a positive impact, individuals can develop a sense of trust and reliance on one another. These relationships can provide not only emotional support but also serve as a valuable network for future opportunities and resources.

Additionally, community service activities often involve working closely with other volunteers, organizers, and community leaders. This collaboration cultivates a sense of teamwork and encourages individuals to communicate effectively, solve problems together, and contribute towards a common cause. Building such collaborative relationships is essential for creating a strong and resilient community that can address social issues and bring about positive change.

Furthermore, community service provides individuals with the opportunity to learn from those they serve, fostering a sense of empathy and understanding. By engaging with individuals who may have different life experiences or face various challenges, individuals can develop a broader perspective and a deeper appreciation for the diversity within their community. This understanding can lead to a more inclusive and compassionate society, where everyone feels valued and supported.

• Community service activities encourage individuals to connect and form relationships with people from different backgrounds and perspectives.
• Participating in community service helps build strong bonds and friendships based on shared experiences and a common goal.
• Collaborating with others during community service activities fosters teamwork and effective communication skills.
• Engaging in community service promotes empathy and understanding by exposing individuals to different life experiences and challenges.
• The relationships formed through community service can provide emotional support and serve as a valuable network for future opportunities.

Gaining new skills and experiences

Engaging in community service provides individuals with the opportunity to acquire new skills and gain valuable experiences that can greatly benefit them in various aspects of their lives. Participating in community service not only allows individuals to contribute to their community, but also offers them the chance to develop personal and professional skills, broaden their perspectives, and cultivate meaningful connections.

Overall, participating in community service allows individuals to gain new skills and experiences that can enrich their personal and professional lives. Whether it’s developing empathy and compassion, acquiring leadership and teamwork skills, broadening perspectives, or building meaningful connections, community service provides a platform for personal growth and development.

Making a positive impact on the community

Contributing to the betterment of society is a rewarding experience that allows individuals to create positive change within their communities. By actively engaging in various community service initiatives, individuals can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others and foster a sense of unity and belonging. Whether through volunteering at local organizations, participating in charitable events, or advocating for important causes, each person has the power to have a lasting impact and create a ripple effect of positive change.

Engaging in community service not only benefits others, but also brings personal fulfillment and growth. It allows individuals to develop important skills such as empathy, leadership, and problem-solving. By actively participating in community service projects, individuals can broaden their perspectives and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by different members of society. This exposure to diverse experiences helps build a more compassionate and inclusive community.

Furthermore, community service provides an opportunity for individuals to give back and express their gratitude for the support they have received. It allows them to use their skills, passions, and resources to make a tangible difference in the lives of those in need. Whether it is spending time with the elderly, tutoring underprivileged children, or organizing clean-up campaigns, each act of service contributes to the overall well-being and growth of the community. By actively participating in community service, individuals become agents of positive change and role models for others.

Moreover, community service creates a sense of collective responsibility and unity within a community. When individuals come together for a common cause, they create powerful networks and connections that transcend barriers and divisions. Working alongside others who share a similar passion for making the world a better place fosters a sense of belonging and purpose. It empowers individuals to realize that their actions, no matter how small, can collectively make a significant impact on society.

In conclusion, making a positive impact on the community is an essential aspect of community service. By actively engaging in various initiatives, individuals can create a ripple effect of positive change and foster a sense of unity within their communities. Through their acts of service, individuals not only benefit others but also experience personal growth and fulfillment. By working together, individuals can create a more compassionate, inclusive, and supportive community for all.

Developing empathy and understanding for others

Enhancing our ability to relate to and understand the experiences of others is a fundamental aspect of engaging in community service. When we step outside of our own lives and devote our time and energy to assisting those in need, we inevitably gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and struggles that people face. Through this process, we develop empathy, which is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others.

By volunteering and engaging in community service projects, we expose ourselves to a diverse range of experiences and perspectives. This exposure enables us to break down stereotypes and preconceived notions about certain groups of people. It allows us to see beyond the surface-level differences and recognize the shared humanity that connects us all. When we interact with individuals from different backgrounds, cultures, and socioeconomic statuses, we gain a greater appreciation for the richness and complexity of the human experience.

In addition to gaining empathy, community service also helps us develop a deeper understanding of the structural issues that contribute to inequality and social injustices. Through our hands-on involvement in addressing these issues, we become more aware of the systemic factors that perpetuate inequality and the importance of working towards long-term solutions. This knowledge equips us with the tools to become active agents of change, advocating for policies and practices that promote social justice and equal opportunities for all.

Furthermore, engaging in community service fosters a sense of connection and solidarity with others. When we work alongside individuals who share a common goal of improving the community, we develop bonds and connections that transcend superficial differences. These experiences remind us of the interconnectedness of human beings and the power of collective action. They inspire us to continue working towards a more compassionate and inclusive society.

Enhancing college and job applications through community service

Volunteering and giving back to your community can have a significant impact not only on personal growth and development, but also on your college and job applications. By engaging in community service activities, you not only demonstrate your commitment to making a difference in the world, but also showcase valuable skills and qualities that are highly sought after by colleges and employers alike.

When universities and colleges review applications, they look for more than just good grades and test scores. They seek well-rounded individuals who possess qualities such as leadership, empathy, and a strong sense of social responsibility. By dedicating your time and energy to community service, you can demonstrate these traits and stand out among other applicants. Furthermore, community service can provide you with unique experiences and insights that can be woven into your college essays and interviews, making your application more memorable and impactful.

Additionally, many scholarship programs and grants prioritize applicants with a robust community service background. By actively engaging in volunteer work, you not only increase your chances of receiving financial aid, but also strengthen your application for other forms of merit-based scholarships. Demonstrating your commitment to community service shows that you are willing to go above and beyond and truly make a difference in the lives of others.

Furthermore, community service can also enhance your job applications. Employers value individuals who possess a strong work ethic, the ability to work well with others, and a willingness to give back to the community. By showcasing your community service experiences on your resume and during interviews, you demonstrate these desirable qualities and set yourself apart from other job applicants.

Community service can also provide valuable networking opportunities that can potentially lead to job offers. Through volunteering, you can connect with professionals in your field of interest and gain insight into different career paths. These connections can open doors to internships, mentorship opportunities, and job recommendations, giving you a competitive edge in the job market.

In conclusion, community service is not only personally rewarding, but it can also greatly enhance your college and job applications. By showcasing your commitment to making a difference, you demonstrate valuable qualities and skills that colleges and employers are seeking. Engaging in community service can provide you with unique experiences, networking opportunities, and set you apart from other applicants, ultimately helping you achieve your academic and career goals.

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120 Social Work Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Social work is a diverse and challenging field that requires a deep understanding of human behavior, social systems, and the impact of various social issues on individuals and communities. As a social work student, you will be tasked with writing essays on a wide range of topics related to this field. To help you get started, here are 120 social work essay topic ideas and examples that you can use as inspiration for your next assignment:

• The role of social workers in promoting social justice and equality
• The impact of poverty on mental health
• The effects of trauma on children and families
• The importance of self-care for social workers
• The challenges of working with diverse populations
• The role of social workers in addressing homelessness
• The impact of substance abuse on families
• The relationship between social work and the criminal justice system
• The role of social workers in addressing domestic violence
• The effects of social media on mental health
• The challenges of working with individuals with disabilities
• The impact of immigration policies on immigrant families
• The role of social workers in addressing human trafficking
• The effects of poverty on child development
• The relationship between mental health and homelessness
• The challenges of working with LGBTQ+ individuals
• The impact of foster care on children
• The role of social workers in addressing elder abuse
• The effects of bullying on mental health
• The relationship between poverty and substance abuse
• The challenges of working with individuals with eating disorders
• The impact of social isolation on mental health
• The role of social workers in addressing child abuse
• The effects of racism on mental health
• The relationship between mental health and incarceration
• The challenges of working with individuals with PTSD
• The impact of environmental factors on mental health
• The role of social workers in addressing sexual assault
• The effects of poverty on access to healthcare
• The challenges of working with individuals with autism
• The impact of social media on body image
• The role of social workers in addressing human rights violations
• The effects of trauma on refugee populations
• The relationship between poverty and access to education
• The challenges of working with individuals with substance use disorders
• The impact of social isolation on older adults
• The role of social workers in addressing workplace discrimination
• The effects of poverty on access to mental health services
• The relationship between mental health and addiction
• The challenges of working with individuals with schizophrenia
• The impact of social media on self-esteem
• The role of social workers in addressing child neglect
• The effects of trauma on military veterans
• The relationship between poverty and access to housing
• The challenges of working with individuals with bipolar disorder
• The impact of social isolation on LGBTQ+ youth
• The effects of poverty on access to clean water
• The relationship between mental health and unemployment
• The challenges of working with individuals with personality disorders
• The impact of social media on relationships
• The role of social workers in addressing elder neglect
• The effects of trauma on refugees
• The relationship between poverty and access to transportation
• The challenges of working with individuals with OCD
• The impact of social isolation on immigrant communities
• The role of social workers in addressing child exploitation
• The effects of poverty on access to nutritious food
• The relationship between mental health and poverty
• The challenges of working with individuals with ADHD
• The role of social workers in addressing child trafficking
• The effects of trauma on LGBTQ+ individuals
• The relationship between poverty and access to technology
• The effects of poverty on access to education
• The impact of social media on mental health
• The relationship between poverty and access to healthcare
• The challenges of working with individuals with depression
• The challenges of working with individuals with anxiety disorders
• The relationship between poverty and access to mental health services
• The effects of poverty on access to housing

These social work essay topic ideas and examples cover a wide range of issues and challenges that social workers face in their practice. Whether you are interested in exploring the impact of poverty on mental health, the challenges of working with diverse populations, or the role of social workers in addressing human trafficking, there is a topic here that will inspire your next essay. Remember to conduct thorough research, engage with diverse perspectives, and critically analyze the information you find to create a well-rounded and impactful essay on social work.

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Importance of Community Workers and Their Roles

Community workers are people we rely on in emergencies. They are trained professionals who know the right solutions to health threats, or disastrous problems. We head to them to get expert help and to get rid of problematic situations before they get severe.

Students need to learn community workers so that they know whom to rely on in a crisis. Community workers like doctors, firefighters, and nurses.

Children may often avoid strangers even during an emergency because they are taught to do so at home and school. Teaching about community workers will help them recognize people that they can trust during a certain situation.

At JBM Global School, one of the top schools in Noida , students are educated not only about community workers and their roles but also about showing respect for their contributions.

In this article, we will go through the importance of community helpers and how they serve our society. Let’s dive in.

Who are Community Workers?

Community workers are citizens who work in our community t o ensure the well-being of the community. They perform their duties to ensure that people in society stay happy, safe, and healthy. Community helpers perform their duties to the best to ensure that we live in a safe environment and have the necessary services. 

Role of Community Workers

The main role of a community helper is to guide and help the members of the community to make their lives easier. They have different roles depending on the specialization they work in. However, the general role of a community worker is to be in charge of society. 

Community workers provide emotional support, guidance, and counselling to individuals and families facing various challenges. They may help with issues such as health emergencies, fire in facilities, crime reports, and lifestyle issues, performing the jobs such as house help, serving, plumbing, farming, and more.

Now that you know who is a community helper , let us look at some examples of them and learn what they do. 

Also Read :   11 Engaging Gandhi Jayanti Activities For Kids

Community Workers and Their Jobs

Here is a list of community helpers and the duties they perform:

• Doctors are experienced medical professionals who are trained and licensed to treat patients.
• They are community helpers who perform checkups and provide medicines to treat diseases.
• They work in private clinics and hospitals.

• A nurse is there to help doctors.
• Nurses work in healthcare facilities and hospitals.
• They look after the patients, interact with doctors, provide medicine, and check critical symptoms in patients.
• They play an important role in the healthcare workforce.

• The role of a teacher as a community helper is to provide education to students.
• They teach different subjects in schools, colleges, and institutions.
• Teachers are also known as nation builders.
• They also play an important role in the development and growth of the students apart from their studies.

4. Firefighter

• Firefighters are community helpers who stop fires and rescue people from fire-affected facilities.
• They work at fire stations.
• They reach the affected zone via fire trucks.
• They use fire trucks to carry necessary equipment like ladders, water tanks, ropes, and first aid.

5. Police Officers

• Police officers are responsible for protecting people from crime and threats.
• They are responsible for maintaining law and order in a particular area.
• They catch offenders and ensure the safety of people.
• A policeman also shows up in the time of emergencies and provides appropriate support.

6. Fisherman

• The role of a fisherman is to catch fish.
• They sell the fish in the fish market or to the fish seller to earn their living.
• They use fishing nets, boats, and other tools to catch fish from lakes, rivers, seas, and oceans.

7. Soldiers

• The role of the soldiers is to protect our country
• They are trained with arms and guns and work on borders.
• They fight battles to defeat the enemy.
• They are alert to any threat or danger in the country.

8. Astronauts

• An astronaut is trained to carry out experiments in outer space.
• They enter space in a spacecraft to study planets and stars.
• Astronauts play an important role in space exploration and learning about the Earth and the solar system.

• Farmers grow plants and crops to produce food for humans.
• They plant the seeds, water them, use manure, and harvest them.
• They use farming equipment to maintain the growth of the crops.
• They sell the harvested crops to customers, other farmers, and stores.

10. Mail Carrier

• A mail carrier is responsible for delivering mail and packages to homes and businesses.
• They work for postal services or courier companies.
• They organize mail and deliver them to various addresses.

11. Mechanic

• Mechanics are community helpers trained to repair and maintain vehicles and machinery.
• They work in garages, auto repair shops, or specialised workshops.
• They test mechanical issues using specialised tools.
• They do repairs, replace faulty parts, and conduct regular maintenance in vehicles.

12. Gardener

• A gardener is responsible for cultivating and maintaining plants and gardens.
• They work in parks, private residences, or botanical gardens.
• Gardeners plant a variety of flowers, trees, shrubs, and
• .They water, fertilise, prune, and weed the plants to maintain their health.

• A chef is a professional who prepares and cooks meals in restaurants, hotels, or catering services.
• They plan menus, select and prepare ingredients, and use different cooking techniques.

14. Garbage Collector

• They are our helpers who collect and dispose of trash and garbage from homes, businesses, and public areas.
• They perate garbage trucks or other collection vehicles to gather waste.
• They maintain cleanliness and hygiene in the community by keeping the surroundings free from litter.
• They contribute to waste management and environmental sustainability.

• Waiters take orders from customers and serve food and drinks in restaurants or cafes.
• They also decide on the menu and assist customers.
• Coordinate with kitchen staff to inform them about the orders.

16. Janitor

• They clean and maintain the cleanliness of buildings, offices, schools, and other facilities
• They sweep, mop, and vacuum floors, dust surfaces, and empty trash bins.
• They also do minor maintenance tasks, such as changing light bulbs or fixing leaky faucets.
• They ensure a clean and sanitary environment for occupants.

17. Plumber

• Plumbers install, repair, and maintain plumbing systems in homes, buildings, or businesses.
• They identify and fix leaks, clogs, or other plumbing issues.
• They install and connect pipes, fixtures, and appliances (e.g., sinks, toilets, water heaters).
• A plumber conducts inspections to ensure the proper functioning of plumbing systems.
• They provide solutions for water conservation and promote efficient water usage.

18. Electrician

• Electricians take care of electrical systems in facilities.
• They connect wiring, outlets, switches, and light fixtures.
• They also solve electrical problems.
• They provide electrical solutions for new constructions or renovations.

• They develop structures using bricks, stones, or concrete blocks.
• They construct walls, floors, or other structures.
• They use tools like levels, and saws to shape and cut materials.
• They assist in the construction or repair of buildings, bridges, or other masonry projects.

20. House Help

• House helpers are our helpers who assist with household chores and daily tasks in our home.
• They clean and organize rooms, sweep floors, and do laundry.
• They prepare meals or help with cooking and washing dishes.
• They also provide support in maintaining a tidy and comfortable living environment.

Community helpers work for the better of the community and help people to live a convenient life. They work to earn their living and provide support to us in different situations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Community helpers help us by providing important services and support for our well-being. They include professions such as doctors, nurses, police officers, firefighters, teachers, garbage collectors, and many others who play vital roles in our daily lives.

They are individuals in different professions who work for the welfare and betterment of the community. They provide assistance, services, and expertise that are needed for the smooth functioning and development of society.

Appreciating community helpers can be done in several ways. You can show appreciation by saying thank you or organizing initiatives to honor their contributions.

Teaching children about community helpers is important because it helps them understand the roles of people in society. They also understand the importance of cooperation and interdependence. Children start to recognize people whom they should contact in different emergencies.

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Home > Topics > Community Health Workers: Their Important Role in Public Health

Infographics

Community Health Workers: Their Important Role in Public Health

Coronavirus / Health Care Coverage

Published on: April 07, 2021. Updated on: April 13, 2021.

This infographic shows how Community Health Workers (CHWs) promote health equity and improve public health. The CHW workforce is diverse, growing, and drawing attention to its ability to address determinants of poor health. As trusted advocates, educators and counselors embedded in their communities, CHWs facilitate culturally competent service delivery. Tapping into this workforce can strengthen the response to COVID-19 and address longstanding inequities.

This infographic was reviewed by Denise Octavia Smith, MBA, CHW, PN, Founding Executive Director of the National Association of Community Health Workers .

Community health workers definitions : “Community Health Workers.” American Public Health Association.

CHWs’ many titles : “CDC - Community Health Worker Resources - STLT Gateway.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 18 Aug. 2016.

Not defined by training : Opinion by Kangovi, Shreya, et al. “Opinion: This Group of Workers Could Help Turnaround Quality of Life -- and the Economy.” CNN, 10 Feb. 2021.

Advance health equity, improve health outcomes, and reduce health care costs : “Community Health Workers: Evidence of Their Effectiveness.” Association of State and Territorial Health Officials and the National Association of Community Health Workers.

Addressing social determinants of health : Peretz, Patricia J., et al. “Community Health Workers and Covid-19 - Addressing Social Determinants of Health in Times of Crisis and Beyond: NEJM.” New England Journal of Medicine, 10 Mar. 2021.

Root causes of poor health: Opinion by Kangovi, Shreya, et al. “Opinion: This Group of Workers Could Help Turnaround Quality of Life -- and the Economy.” CNN, 10 Feb. 2021.

Examples of services CHWs provide:

• Outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support and advocacy : “Support for Community Health Workers to Increase Health Access and to Reduce Health Inequities.” American Public Health Association. 10 Nov. 2009
• Translation/interpreting, health care navigation, and tracking progress : “Rural Health Information Hub.” Community Health Workers in Rural Settings Introduction.

86,000 CHWs : "Community Health Worker National Workforce Study." U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration Bureau of Health Professions. March 2007.

Expected increase : “Health Educators and Community Health Workers: Occupational Outlook Handbook.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1 Sept. 2020.

Call for rapid increase: NACHW National Policy Platform: Policy Recommendations to Respect, Protect and Partner with Community Health Workers During the Pandemic and Beyond.

President Biden’s proposal : “President Biden Announces American Rescue Plan.” The White House, The United States Government, 20 Jan. 2021.

American Rescue Plan : Yarmuth, John A. “H.R.1319 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.” Congress.gov, 11 Mar. 2021,

Partners in Health : “Public Health Job Corps: Responding to COVID-19, rebuilding the community health workforce.” Partners in Health United States. Updated 22 Jan. 2021.

CHWs sharing characteristics with community members : “Role of Community Health Workers.” National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

CHW race and ethnicity : National Community Health Worker Advocacy Survey: 2014 Preliminary Data Report for the United States and Territories. Tucson, Arizona: Arizona Prevention Research Center, Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona; 2014.

Bilingual : “Community Health Workers in the Midwest: Understanding and developing the workforce” Wilder Research, June 2012.

CHW Employers : “Health Educators and Community Health Workers: Occupational Outlook Handbook.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1 Sept. 2020.

Shift CHW employment : Malcarney MB, Pittman P, Quigley L, Horton K, Seiler N. The Changing Roles of Community Health Workers. Health Serv Res. 2017;52 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):360-382. doi:10.1111/1475-6773.12657

Evidence of CHWs Effectiveness : “Community Health Workers: Evidence of Their Effectiveness.” Association of State and Territorial Health Officials and the National Association of Community Health Workers.

• $2.47:1 return on investment : Kangovi, Shreya, et al. “Evidence-Based Community Health Worker Program Addresses Unmet Social Needs And Generates Positive Return On Investment: Health Affairs Journal.” Health Affairs, 1 Feb. 2020.
• 34% decrease in days in hospitals: Vasan, A, Morgan, JW, Mitra, N, et al. Effects of a standardized community health worker intervention on hospitalization among disadvantaged patients with multiple chronic conditions: A pooled analysis of three clinical trials. Health Serv Res. 2020; 55: 894– 901.
• Improve Glycemic Control : Palmas W, March D, Darakjy S, Findley SE, Teresi J, Carrasquillo O, Luchsinger JA. Community Health Worker Interventions to Improve Glycemic Control in People with Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Gen Intern Med. 2015 Jul;30(7):1004-12.
• Mental Health : Weaver A, Lapidos A. Mental Health Interventions with Community Health Workers in the United States: A Systematic Review. J Health Care Poor Underserved.

Role of CHWs in COVID-19 response:

• Advocate for vaccinations : “Joint Statement on Ensuring Racial Equity in the Development and Distribution of a COVID-19 Vaccine.” Health Leads, 26 Jan. 2021.
• Trusted messengers : “To Strengthen The Public Health Response To COVID-19, We Need Community Health Workers, " Health Affairs Blog, May 6, 2020.
• Build Capacity : Advancing Equity & Public Health: The Community-Based Workforce Alliance.
• Address social needs and ensure care : Peretz, Patricia J., et al. “Community Health Workers and Covid-19 - Addressing Social Determinants of Health in Times of Crisis and Beyond: NEJM.” New England Journal of Medicine, 10 Mar. 2021.

Recommendations and strategies for supporting this workforce:

• Funding, training, integrate, and promote : “Advancing the Profession of Community Health Workers: CHRT.” Center for Health & Research Transformation, 19 Feb. 2021.
• Combat compassion fatigue : “Battling Burnout: Self-Care and Organizational Tools to Increase Community Health Worker Retention and Satisfaction.” Health Leads, 23 Jan. 2020.
• More research is needed : Peretz, Patricia J., et al. “Community Health Workers and Covid-19 - Addressing Social Determinants of Health in Times of Crisis and Beyond: NEJM.” New England Journal of Medicine, 10 Mar. 2021.

The National Association of Community Health Workers :

An Environmental Scan to Inform Community Health Worker Strategies within the Morehouse National COVID-19 Resiliency Network : Jane Berry, Aurora GrantWingate, and Denise Octavia Smith. The National Association of Community Health Workers, the Morehouse School of Medicine, and the National COVID-19 Resiliency Network. December 2020.

NACHW National Policy Platform : Policy Recommendations to Respect, Protect and Partner with Community Health Workers During the Pandemic and Beyond.

The Penn Center for Community Health Workers

Rural Community Health Workers Toolkit : Rural Health Information Hub

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Culture of Health Blog : Proctor, Dwayne. “Community Health Workers: Walking In The Shoes of Those They Serve.” RWJF , 2 Feb. 2021.

Marill, Michele Cohen. “Community Health Workers, Often Overlooked, Bring Trust to the Pandemic Fight.” Kaiser Health News , 10 Feb. 2021 .

Waters, Rob, et al. “Community Workers Lend Human Connection To COVID-19 Response: Health Affairs Journal.” Health Affairs , 1 July 2020,

Shreya Kangovi, Uché Blackstock. “Opinion | Community Health Workers Are Essential in This Crisis. We Need More of Them.” The Washington Post , WP Company, 3 July 2020.

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Community Practice in Social Work: Reflections on Its First Century and Directions for the Future

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Community Development Workers Face Exploratory Essay

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Community development (CD) can be defined as the empowerment of members of a community. This empowerment is tailored to ensure that the members of the community are not only willing, but also able to make good decisions about their lives. Community development is relevant in any country, regardless of whether the country is a developing country or an already developed country.

Although term community development is mainly used to refer to the economic empowerment of a community, this is not all community development is about. CD is not only meant for economic related concepts, but also for other life concepts that are of concern. It could revolve around education, politics, and health among other things. There are very many people who work as community development workers.

They include civil servants, teachers, and those working in non- governmental organizations that deal with community development. In as much as these and other community development workers work to make the community self sufficient, there are very many challenges, tensions, and dilemmas that get in their way. The community development workers have to be good at what they do, despite all these challenges.

A community development worker is supposed to be well trained in order to do his or her work accordingly. A CD worker is also supposed to be organized, a good facilitator, a good public speaker, able to work in teams, and a good problem solver. There are, however, very many challenges that make community development workers unable to be the best that they can be.

Some of these challenges are personal while others affect every community development worker regardless of the region they are located. The most common personal dilemmas that the community development workers face revolve around individual ethics. The other problems that CD workers face revolve around governments, funding, and social problems among other issues (Hoggett, Mayo, & Miller, 2008, p. 34).

One of the biggest challenges that make the community development worker’s work difficult is shallow training. There are many universities and colleges that offer community development as a course, yet most of their students cannot solve some of the common problems in their respective societies. The Kenyan society has had its share of community development projects.

The country is categorized as a developing country in Africa. However, there are very many members of this country who do not know how to make fulfilling decisions. This is mainly visible in matters that concern finances. Very many of the elderly in the community are illiterate and they cannot make decisions concerning education and health.

This presents a huge challenge to the community development workers in the country. CD workers are unable to have satisfactory conversations and projects with some of the members of the community due to language barriers among other barriers. The students who have taken the course in schools have also not been well trained.

The school curriculum is not sufficient for the societal problems that Kenya and other developing countries face. It is possible to find that the students taking CD courses use case studies that were relevant more than a decade ago. The students should be encouraged to use recent case studies even though the lessons of the past might be useful in solving some of the problems today.

This will not only ensure that students can think on their feet, but it will also ensure that the solutions that they come up with in the future for the societal problems will be relevant. Failure to ensure that the students keep relevant can lead to low standards among community development workers.

Another challenge that the community development workers in many areas face is culture. There are various types of cultures that an individual can have. For example, an individual can have the culture that they were born in. One could be an Asian, thereby possessing the Asian culture.

There are also cultures that one adopts as they socialize in life. Workmates in the same company have a certain work culture that might be different from the work culture of the members of another company. The cultures that are adopted through the process of socialization shape the personalities, attitudes, and beliefs of the individual in question.

Some of the cultures that members of the community have made it impossible for the community development workers to do their job sufficiently. For example, one of the commonest cultures in the Latina community is that in a restaurant, the waiter should give the client the bill only after the client has asked for it. Giving the client the bill before they ask for it is considered rude and unacceptable.

This has put the Latinos in awkward positions with other cultures, especially the white people who do not agree with the practice.

In relation to community development, it is possible to find that many restaurant owners believe that people from the Latino community are not good customers because they are known to run away without paying their bills. The other communities, therefore, shun the Latinos, thereby making it impossible for the community development workers work with them.

The community development workers also get little support for their projects. There are governments that do not allow some types of community development projects. For example, the Gladstone’s Philip Street social services hub in Australia has had a hard time getting the required funding from the federal government. The project involves child care, retirement, and entertainment concepts that were to be set up in the region.

All the facilities that were to be included in the project were for the benefit of the community. However, the politics and the ethics of the federal government did not allow this project to go through.

This is just one example of some of the community development projects that have been rejected by governments over the years. Many of the governments have claimed that the projects that were rejected were either irrelevant or very expensive. This denied them the desired support.

There are also projects that have been approved by governments but have never been implemented. These include the projects that are implemented slowly and for very many years. Such projects waste time and do not help the community in any way.

This shows that the community development worker who was involved in the creation of a concept that was supposed to be helpful to the community did his/her part of the work had no impact on changing of the community for the better. This, in turn, means that the community involved will still be lagging behind in some aspects.

For example, the Clean Development Mechanism project that is designed to help in the conservation of the environment has met one challenge after the other. This is a project that is to be implemented in very many countries that formed the treaty.

There is no one country that has achieved the full goals of this project up to today. Other countries that are also included in this treaty have not done anything toward the implementation of the treaty. The governments of these countries can be blamed for this.

Politics and politicians can also present a big challenge to the community development workers. Politics can do this by refusing grants that are forwarded to fund such developments. They also present challenges by linking all the community development projects to politics. This becomes a disadvantage to the community development worker as some members of the community might not be comfortable with the project.

This is mainly true in the areas that did not vote for the government in power. The bitterness that the members of the specific community might have toward the government might make them refuse any kind of community development project supported by the government.

It is true that all community development projects rely on the members of the community. The project is seen as a failure if members of the community refuse to participate in the project for any reason whatsoever.

The formulation of policies for the community development projects also presents several challenges. In most countries, community development projects are usually funded by non-governmental organizations and the government itself. It is very difficult to find individuals funding entire community development projects.

The sponsors usually want the projects to be finished as quickly as possible since they have very little to gain from the community development project. This might mean overlooking some of the important aspects that might make a huge difference. This, in turn, leads to short term results.

The community might get the knowledge that was being passed, but forget the lessons after a short while. This takes the entire community one step backwards. Such projects are usually beneficial to the sponsors who want to create a better image of themselves to the public.

It has also been evident that the rate of change in general in the world is greater than that of community development policies. This means that the world is changing at a very fast rate such that community development workers have a hard time catching up.

For instance, the policies that were used last year to solve the problems of a community are not applicable this year to solve the problems of the same community. This might be due to different factors. For example, new challenges might have arisen, making the specific policy that was used a year ago useless.

It is also possible that the technological advancements that are experienced in the world play a major role in the failure of community development workers. These technological advancements have created new problems that CD workers have to address on a daily basis.

Another dilemma that the community development workers face is intertwining and connecting social factors. In this day and age, there are very many factors in the community that are related. This means that changing one factor might affect other factors directly or indirectly and the results can be good or bad.

The community development worker has to ensure that the factors that will be affected by the change they are advocating for are not depended upon by the community in question (Brake & Deller, 2008, p. 94). For example, the issue of street urchins has been among the hotly debated topics in many developing and developed countries.

Many of the projects that have been put up to ensure the removal of children from the streets have proven futile. Most of the developing countries have tried putting street teenagers and kids in school and children’s homes. However, many of the street urchins are unable to stay in school and in the homes. They, therefore, run away. The factors that revolve around this issue of street urchins include socialization and culture.

Many parents do not feel safe when their children interact with street urchins. This gives the street urchins a very hard time at school. Sadly, very few people in the community want to be associated with street urchins. These, among other factors, have made the community development projects related to improving the lives of the street urchins difficult, if not impossible.

In the same breath, building of rehab centres in the cities has led to an increase in the number of people abusing drugs. This might not have been the intention of the community development workers who advocated for the rehab centres. In this scenario building of the rehab centres affects another social factor by increasing the number of people who abuse drugs.

There are also the ethical challenges and dilemmas that the community development worker faces. These ethical challenges also affect the work quality of the community development worker in question. Respect is one of the most conflicting factors in community development. Most community development workers interact with the members of the community closely.

CD workers are supposed to respect the views and opinions of the individuals that they interact with. However, there are some times when the individual themselves might be rude toward the community development worker.

This puts the worker in a bad position since they are not supposed to argue with the people they are interacting, despite feeling hurt and probably wanting to become defensive (Hoggett, Mayo, & Miller, 2008, p. 34).

Another ethical dilemma that any community development worker faces is not being in agreement with the project at hand. For example, an individual might not be comfortable teaching the public about reproductive health because they are shy, or their culture does not allow such discussions.

However, the CD worker will have to do the project if they are in need of work. Unfortunately, the fact that they are not comfortable with the work might affect the end results of the project.

There are also some sponsors who engage in community development for other reasons apart from helping the society. Many governments have experienced this problem. Some of the decisions that the government makes are not only to help the citizens of the specific country, but also to benefit them individually.

For example, projects that involve the construction of dams, wells, and schools among other facilities can be awarded to personal friends of the government. Even though this problem does not affect the community directly, it is an ethical dilemma for the community development worker and might affect their desire to do the project.

There are very many challenges that the community development worker has to overcome in order to do their job accordingly. Many of the problems that have been discussed are brought about by governments and the society. The problems that the community development worker faces due to personal attitude, beliefs, and culture are very minimal.

Despite these challenges and dilemmas, the community development worker is expected to be a good facilitator and problem-solver. One thing that is clear is that the work of the community development workers will be reduced to identifying problems in the society and not being able to solve them if the problems the CD workers face are not addressed exhaustively.

Reference List

Brake, R & Deller, U 2008 , Community development: A European challenge, Barbra Budrich Publishers, Stauffenbergstr, Germany

Hoggett, P, Mayo, M, & Miller, C 2008, The dilemmas of development work: Ethical challenges in regeneration, The Policy Press, Bristol, UK

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5 University of Washington Essay Examples by Accepted Students

What’s covered:, essay example #1 – diversity, cripplepunks, essay example #2 – diversity, community in difference, essay example #3 – diversity, food, essay example #4 – diversity, dinnertime conversations, essay example #5 – interdisciplinary studies, where to get your university of washington essays edited.

The University of Washington is a selective school, so it’s important to write strong essays to help your application stand out. In this post, we’ll share essays real students have submitted to the University of Washington. (Names and identifying information have been changed, but all other details are preserved).

Read our University of Washington es say breakdown to get a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental prompts.

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Prompt: Our families and communities often define us and our individual worlds. Community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the University of Washington. (300 words)

The first time I looked up the term cripplepunk I was in ninth grade, almost bedbound with severe hip pain. It took half a second for the page to load, and another half a second for me to process what I was seeing. There before me, against the muted grey of my phone’s dark mode, is the community I thought I would never have. I could have scrolled for hours, absorbing the images of models in powerchairs wearing ornate gowns, snarky patches on guide dog vests, and decorated canes. I kept coming back to the page, enchanted with the movement. Although the term cripplepunk wasn’t used until 2014, the spirit of the movement is present in most disabled people, from Frida Kahlo to the participants in the Capitol Crawl. The cripplepunk movement is intentionally subversive, fighting against the ableism and pity that disabled people encounter at every turn. Cripplepunks take a “so what if I am?” approach to ableism, refusing to be ashamed of symptoms, accommodations, or mobility aids. It’s a diverse movement too, where a 60-something veteran dealing with decades-old injuries can guide me through the process of buying and decorating my first cane. In cripplepunk circles, a deafblind Black woman can teach the world that disabled people can have dreams for their futures. The cripplepunk movement is a movement where I can offer sympathy, advice, and support to the same people who helped me through otherwise isolating moments and new cripples alike. That work doesn’t just happen online though. My work as a cripplepunk happens everywhere, classrooms and grocery stores alike, by being visibly and unashamedly disabled, vocally confronting ableists, and campaigning for greater accessibility.

What the Essay Did Well

One of the primary strengths of this “Diversity” essay is its writer’s enthusiasm about the cripplepunk movement, which helps readers feel connected to them. At the very beginning of this response, we are introduced to the term ‘cripplepunk,’ but just like the student, we are not exactly sure what it means. We go through the process of learning about the movement with the student as they bring to our minds “images of models in powerchairs wearing ornate gowns, snarky patches on guide dog vests, and decorated canes.” By bringing us along to their first introduction to cripplepunk, this student forms a connection between themself and the reader. We get “enchanted” alongside them.

At the same time, we get enchanted by the student, who positions themself as mature and insightful. As they describe how the cripplepunk movement wasn’t labeled until 2014 but “the spirit of the movement” existed long before, they address the ways that community doesn’t need to have a name to exist. They position community as anything that makes individuals not feel alone, then follow that description up with a definition of community as “people who help others through otherwise isolating moments.” This deeper reflection displays this student’s insightful-nature and maturity.

Finally, this essay’s structure works very nicely. It is simultaneously anecdotal and reflective, and, to top it all off, the student provides an image of them in “classrooms and grocery stores alike” showing off their diversity and their pride. The anecdote draws the reader in, while the reflection reveals this student’s personality and perspectives. Combined, the reader gets a good idea of who this student is and how they would fit into the campus community.

What Could Be Improved

The one thing this essay didn’t address was how this student will add to the diversity of the University of Washington. Although we get a good sense of the unique community this student came from and how it shaped them, we still want to know how they will contribute to their campus community. This student could have easily revised the last few sentences to say something along the lines of this:

“I intend to bring the cripplepunk movement with me to the University of Washington. I’ll proudly display myself on campus so I can teach my fellow classmates about disabilities and encourage other disabled students to be unashamed of who they are.”

Reworking the conclusion to discuss how they will take the lessons they have learned from being part of the cripplepunk community and share those lessons with a new community would show admissions officers exactly what this student would bring to campus. It doesn’t have to be an extensive response, but the essay should include some reference of University of Washington. 

In my youth, I found solace in communities of my peers who shared portions of my identity; from speaking the same second languages to sharing similar tastes, I was quick to bond with those I was similar to. 

When I moved to Oregon, I found myself miles away from these connections. My fragmented identity found little to attach to my peers. Inkling connections uprooted as I attended three different middle schools throughout my years. “Community” felt like a bubble I was floating upon, inherently a part of yet never fully immersed. 

At the end of math class towards the middle of eighth grade, I felt a tap on my shoulder. A tall girl with glasses and a tooth gap stood behind.

“Do you want to sit with us at lunch today?”

Stemming from this small invitation, I found myself part of a community of peers with whom I never thought I could relate. Our interests diverged and collided in all regards; we were of different gender identities, sexual orientations, and ethnic backgrounds. While I was the only person of color in our friend group, I cherished the different experiences we brought to the table. I recounted my struggles accepting my culture while I heard the stories of my friends who were dealing with gender dysphoria. 

In the following years, I wholeheartedly applied this multifaceted outlook to my sense of community. I engaged with peers both different and similar to me; I found community at Indian festivals with my fellow South Asian peers and community with my closest friends with whom I can form strong emotional connections, despite our dissimilar backgrounds. 

This ever-growing sense of community has helped me thrive and will better help me engage within the student body at the University of Washington

As this student explores the struggle of finding community, their essay not only reads like a Diversity essay but also like an Overcoming Challenges essay . 

The main strength of this essay is the arc it presents. We learn about their background (moving around a lot) and we learn that community didn’t always come easy for them. The sentence “‘ Community’ felt like a bubble I was floating upon, inherently a part of yet never fully immersed” articulates their isolation particularly well. At the same time, this sentence shows their profound awareness of the true meaning of community. They understand that being a part of a formal group like a school organization, an ethnic group, or a sport does not necessarily mean one feels community.

As the essay progresses, the student comes to understand that community does not have to exist within any formal bounds at all. You can find community with people completely different from you. Through their reflection, this student clearly shows an understanding of the importance of diversity. Not only is this essay able to demonstrate the meaning of community to this student, but it also displays how diversity is an integral part of community, which is exactly what admissions officers want to see.  

The beginning of this essay is a little slow, so the whole essay would benefit from reordering it and changing the structure a bit. Essays tend to start off with an anecdote to hook the reader and then go into more elaboration. However, it takes a few sentences before this student gets to their anecdote. We learn about this student’s experience feeling part of (or isolated from) a community prior to middle school, but the essay isn’t overly engaging before the anecdote.

The anecdote livens up the essay and brings a renewed sense of excitement and engagement to the reader, so opening the essay with the story of getting invited to lunch would spur that interest from the beginning. After the quick anecdote, the student could explain why it was so meaningful to be invited to lunch and find a community at that table because they had felt that they were missing a community throughout middle school. Restructuring the essay like this would mean it wouldn’t be told chronologically, but a deeper emotional connection with the student, and interest in their story, would be established off the bat.

“Beta, food is ready,” Amma yells as I quickly traverse her words.  She made dosas and aloo curry, my favorite. I followed the strong, flavorful scent to the kitchen, the same place where I subsequently got serenaded by hymns sung by Amma.  I helped set up the table, decorated with a box of misplaced cheerios and a bowl of Gulab jamun Appa set out for us before he left for work.   I watched my brother go into the garden to collect one of our banana leaves, acting as plates for the eight guests arriving soon for lunch. The natural grassy smell that emanated from the leaves signaled Amma that guests would be coming soon. She laid out the dosas on the table and aloo in a bowl, exerting an ounce of pride from the squint of her eyes.  The aroma of dosas and aloo curry has followed my family for generations. Every generation that was taught the art of making a dosa assimilated a new idea, evolving my family’s South Indian cuisine. My appreciation of my community lies within its versatility for the continuation of traditions and beliefs, passing them down for generations to come.   Guests started coming in for lunch, holding their food, seasoned with the stories of their lives. Despite the incredible array of foods on the table, the box of cheerios remained in sight to the public. Like me, it didn’t align with the norms of its environment, but remained firm. Its bright yellow color pervaded, attracting many. However, it had its own stories and journey that couldn’t hold comparison to others. This “ambiguity” represents diversity within culture. Its multidimensional perspective allows for cuisine and culture to bring a multitude of stories together, creating a home for all, including me.

This essay exemplifies how to respond to the Diversity prompt, an essay archetype used by many colleges. Effective responses do just what this essay does, by describing both a culture and the applicant’s place within it. Especially successful essays convey important, relevant aspects of the community with quick yet evocative descriptions, like of the aloo curry and hymns, that also help readers get to know the applicant better. In this essay, we see their thoughtfulness, keen eye for detail, involvement with their family and community, and appreciation for their heritage. 

One more especially powerful aspect of this essay is the vivid, descriptive language. There’s the smell of curry, the sound of singing, and the visual of the bright yellow Cheerios box, all of which draw us into this student’s world with all five senses. In particular, the metaphor of the Cheerios box standing out in the midst of the home-cooked, traditional South Indian meal is unexpected and heartwarming, and helps ensure that this rich essay will make a strong impression on UW admissions officers.

Even in a strong essay like this one, there’s still room for improvement. One thing that would make this supplement more effective would be a bit more detail on the central metaphor of the Cheerios box. Why does the author align themselves with the American breakfast cereal, instead of the food being cooked by their grandmother? 

The description of the box as “not aligning with the norms of the environment” is compelling, but not supported by details about the applicant’s personality, or reflections on their identity. While metaphors are a crucial part of many college essays, you always want to be as explicit as possible about what a metaphor is saying about you, to ensure the admissions officer reading your essay fully understands your point.

Additionally, on a structural level, this essay would benefit from being split into two or even three paragraphs, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, because one big block of text is a little rough on the eyes. Secondly, because breaking up your ideas ensures each one gets your reader’s full attention–at the end of each paragraph, they can reflect on the point you’ve just made before continuing on to the next one.

At my dining table, a silent war was being waged. Each side wielded glances, smirks, and snide remarks concealed under composed postures. The discomfort was palpable. Yet, newly eight-year-old me moved obliviously between my grandmas. To me, they were nearly the same person wh o loved me and, on this delightful occasion, had provided me with considerable compensation for lasting another year. 

My first call to battle came sitting in the passenger seat of my grandma, Judy’s Toyota. As we rolled through the hills of Idaho, she spoke to me about a recent election and her opinions on various healthcare issues. Moved from a place of deep sorrow, she described my Aunt’s struggle to obtain insurance due to a pre-existing condition. She suggested her solutions, and I listened attentively, curious about her ideas since I had yet to form my own.  

Months later, I found myself in a hammock under a sweeping eucalyptus, engaged in a similar discussion with my other grandma, Teresa. As a healthcare worker, she was very involved with the issue, yet her ideas fell completely opposite Judy’s. 

This was when I discovered the origin of the hushed hostility afflicting my family. 

The family I come from may seem divided with their vastly different views, but together, these women taught me the importance of being a listener. I learned that to understand an issue truly, you must first consider all thoughts and opinions, no matter how much you may disagree. The animosity I observed resulted from closed minds and echo chambers; from their discomfort, I’ve learned that progress can only be made through compromise and communication. At UW, I hope to contribute my distinct perspective on problem-solving alongside my engineering knowledge to collaborate with others through programs like Engineers Without Borders to create impactful solutions to universal problems. 

In this essay, which is another strong response to the “Diversity” prompt , the student does a great job of explaining how being around different opinions has shaped their own perspective, as well as capturing the role they play within their family. The response highlights what the student has learned not just about their grandmothers’ opinions, but about listening in general and forming opinions of their own.

This essay is also a good reminder that writing a strong response to this kind of prompt doesn’t require you to focus on a distinct culture–you can write effectively about aspects of your identity, like the conversations at your family dinner table, that aren’t typically associated with diversity. So long as your growth and character are at the center of the story, like they are for this student, the essay will do a great job of demonstrating who you are to the admissions committee. 

The other especially effective part of this essay is the end, where the author connects their theme to a specific program and future at UW. This detail goes above and beyond what the prompt asks for, to show admissions officers exactly how this student plans to participate in the University of Washington community. Although quick, this line drives home the relevance of this student’s skills and experience to UW’s values as an institution, which helps admissions officers picture them on campus.

While this kind of concrete connection to the school can take your essay to the next level, you want to be sure that you make the connection in a way that feels natural. The majority of your essay should focus on some aspect of your identity and what it reflects about your broader character–only mention something specific about the school if you have extra space, and it’s directly connected to what you’ve discussed. It’s always nice to have a cherry on top of an already strong essay, but ultimately the most important thing is always to answer what the prompt is actually asking.

What Could Be Improved 

Overall, this is a super strong essay, with very little to improve. The only thing that we would consider changing is the time periods the student chooses their examples from. While the anecdotes are strong and paint a vivid picture of a conflict that goes back years, stories from when the author was eight may seem less relevant to an admissions committee that is looking to admit that student ten years later. 

If you have a story that dates back to your childhood, you should weigh the benefits of starting at the very beginning of the story against the benefits of including anecdotes that show how you behave in that community now. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all rule here: simply be conscious about the choices you make with your essay, to ensure you communicate your key points as effectively as possible.

Prompt: Consider two very different subjects you have previously studied; tell us how you imagine bringing those together at UW to engage with a pressing societal concern. This could be a local, national, or global concern.

In my youth, my mother helped instill a curiosity about the natural world in me. Her work in consulting regarding climate change and environmental systems made me question my direct and indirect impact. I delved into these interests further in high school by taking broad coursework in the sciences. In AP Biology, I was baffled by the reactions and transformation that occurred with simple manipulation. In AP Environmental Science, I was able to apply these biological processes to environmental concepts I noticed on the daily.

In my junior year, I took AP Economics, a class on the polar opposite spectrum from biological and environmental sciences. However, while studying economics, I was able to establish connections between economic and environmental concepts. My father, who has a grounded education in economics, helped me understand the links between these seemingly disparate subjects. The subjects were foundationally interlinked; simple ideas coincided, such as the tragedy of the commons and its relation to marginal analysis. 

As I noticed these intersectional ties, I saw that addressing the impending climate crisis through an economic lens was necessary for implementable, impactful change. There were opportunities for the government to impact climate action— these included economic incentives and regulations to influence the market price, changing producer and consumer behavior to be environmentally friendly. These policies helped protect the welfare of not only the environment but also of individuals who are disproportionately affected by the climate crisis. 

My interest in communication studies links to this; I hope to thoroughly understand these subjects in an interdisciplinary context to provide the means for others to do the same.

  At UW, particularly in the Interdisciplinary Honors Program, I hope to conjoin my interests in economic policy, science, and communications to gain the leverage and sound academic foundation necessary to address these concerns.

One of the best things this essay did was make use of a simple structure. This prompt asks for a lot from students: discuss two interests, identify the relationship between the two interests, show that the relationship relates to a pressing societal concern , and describe how you will engage with that concern at UW. While it is possible to answer all of these questions with a creative structure, this student’s use of a simple structure helped keep all of the parts of the essay organized. The essay followed the same format as the prompt: two paragraphs about their interests and relationship between them, a paragraph on a societal concern, and two final paragraphs on how they will tie everything together at UW.

Utilizing this structure allowed the student to fully establish both of their interests as unique entities before combining them. Going into detail on what excited them about environmental science and economics in the first place made their genuine love for the topics shine through. Also, including specific concepts like biological reactions and tragedy of the commons shows this student’s knowledge in these respective fields, in addition to their passion.

This student also does a good job of explaining the relationship they see between environmental sciences and economics. Explaining how they were “foundationally interlinked; simple ideas coincided” gives some insight into how this student thinks. We learn that they used logic to connect seemingly different topics that share common ideas. Establishing this logic-based link helps us understand how they devised solutions to address the pressing issue of the climate crisis in the third paragraph. The reader is left with the impression this student is genuinely fascinated by these two topics and has an interest in continuing to combine them in the future.

This student struggles with the transition to discussing their future goals. Since they devoted a large portion of their allotted word count to their interests in science and economics, they were left with very few words to discuss their interest in communication and how all three fields can be tied together. This leaves the essay feeling rushed and less genuine at the end.  

If they cut down on some words earlier in the essay—perhaps only mention their interest sparked from their coursework or their parents, rather than delving into detail on both—they could devote more space to their interest in communication studies later on. Then, this student could add more depth to the sentence “ My interest in communication studies links to this,”  by replacing it with something like:

“As I have seen the importance of science and economics for saving our planet, I have realized that interdisciplinarity is what will save the world. Disparate fields must join together for change to occur. I plan to join the inherently interdisciplinary communication studies program to show the world the importance of communication between disciplines.”

Do you want feedback on your University of Washington essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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A People-Centered Approach to Designing and Evaluating Community Justice Worker Programs in the United States

43 Pages Posted:

Matthew Burnett

American Bar Foundation; Arizona State University (ASU); Georgetown University Law Center

Date Written: September 03, 2024

This paper reviews established community justice worker models that have been serving low-income and excluded communities in the United States for more than 50 years, including accredited immigration representatives, Tribal lay advocates, and jailhouse lawyers and emerging justice worker models advanced in Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, and Utah in the last five years. These real-world activities offer opportunities for learning about what factors make justice work not only effective at resolving people’s justice problems or encouraging their engagement with law, but also what makes justice worker programs sustainable over the long term and scalable to meet the enormous volume of Americans’ unmet legal needs. To encourage that learning, we offer a people-centered and evidence-based framework for designing and evaluating community justice worker models that focus on program effectiveness, scalability, and sustainability.

Keywords: Access to justice, Justice workers, People-centered justice, Legal services design and evaluation

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Matthew Burnett (Contact Author)

American bar foundation ( email ).

750 N. Lake Shore Drive Chicago, IL 60611 United States

Arizona State University (ASU) ( email )

Tempe, AZ 85287 United States

Georgetown University Law Center ( email )

600 New Jersey Ave NW Washington, DC 20001 United States

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