Community Service
Students can choose 20 hours of community service as an option for the Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) graduation requirement.
Young people who participate in meaningful community service experiences are more likely to do well in school, graduate, and become responsible citizens. Youth volunteers can increase self-confidence, learn new skills, explore career options, build a resume, support causes they care about, meet new people, and have fun!
How to Fulfill the Requirement
The Student Guide to Community Service for Graduation contains a helpful to-do list and the necessary permission and tracking forms.
The guide offers suggestions for finding a community service experience that's right for you. For your service to count toward graduation, you must meet the following criteria:
- You cannot be paid for community service hours.
- All service hours must take place outside of academic class time.
- All hours must be completed with a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or government agency. This could be a school district, library, police department, etc.
- Your hours must be supervised by an adult at the organization.
- Your hours may not be part of a criminal justice sanction.
Every high school has at least one staff member who serves as a community service advisor to students. Community service advisors assist students throughout the process of completing the community service requirement.
How to Find the Right Opportunity
1. To gain the most out of your community service experience, ask yourself a few questions before selecting an organization:
- What potential careers interest me?
- What skills, talents, and interests do I have?
- What issues in the community do I feel strongly about?
- What organizations in my neighborhood provide services to the community?
2. Check out the following to get ideas for community service opportunities:
- Google Map of local organizations that use volunteers
- MPS volunteer opportunities
- VolunteerMatch
- Volunteers United
3. Research opportunities you are interested in by going to an organization's website or calling the organization's contact person, usually the volunteer coordinator, and asking about important details.
| Category | Questions to Ask the Volunteer Site/Coordinator | Questions to Ask Yourself |
|---|---|---|
| Age Requirement | Does the organization have volunteer opportunities for teens? | Am I the right age for this opportunity? |
| Job Description | What type of help is the organization looking for? What will I be doing when I volunteer? | Does this sound interesting to me? |
| Transportation | Where is the organization located? Does it provide transportation? | Will I be able to get there from my house, school, and/or work? |
| Hours Available | When does the organization need volunteers? | Do the hours work with my schedule? |
| Hours Required | Does the organization require a minimum number of service hours? Can it meet my hour requirement? | Will I be able to volunteer at least 20 hours? |
| Training | Is there a mandatory orientation and/or training session? | Am I able to attend this training? |
| Application | What paperwork/permission do I need to start? Do I need to have a parent/guardian with me when applying? | What information do I need from my parent/guardian? |
Sample Script for Inquiry Phone Calls
1. Let them know why you are calling.
"Hello. My name is (insert name). I am a student at (insert school), and I have a few questions about volunteering at your organization."
2. Ask your questions. (See above.)
3. End the call by letting them know how you want to proceed.
- If you want to move forward: "Thank you for the information. I would like to volunteer. What are the next steps, and when can I start?"
- If you’re not sure that you’re interested OR you already know you do not want to volunteer there: "Thank you for your time. I am researching other volunteer opportunities and will contact you if I decide your experience is the right one for me."
Need Volunteers?
If your organization is looking for MPS student volunteers, please fill out our Notice of Student Volunteer Opportunity form to notify high school community service advisors.
More Information
If you have any questions, please contact Cathleen Montemurri, Extended Learning Opportunities coordinator, at montemcc@milwaukee.k12.wi.us or (414) 475-8256.