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I also agree with Soror AKA_Monet. Some folks in here are making it seem as though community service is the worst thing in the world!
I think that community service should be mandatory and I think that there is a great need for it in almost every community. I'm not sure where most of you grew up, but I know that there is a need for a lot of help within the community where I'm from. As long as there are people in need in this country, there will always be room for volunteers. Soup kitchens, Habitat for Humanity, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, etc. They could even spend an extra hour at school twice a week and plant flowers, scrape gum off of desks, clean graffiti off lockers, and other things that can help beautify. There is ALWAYS something to be done.
Yes, teens lie, but that's why there should be (and probably will be) a system of checks and balances. It's very simple to contact the org. that the student alleges he/she spent time with and find out. Hell, I'd sign up for that job in the Obama administration! (I'm sure there was at least one person that's asking "Who's really going to do that?") I'd be a phone-calling, fact-checking chica! If our (MINE included) tax dollars are going toward funding something and it would take me volunteering my time to check up on some other folks, I'd do it.
Lastly, while I understand that someone stated more time should be dedicated to helping students improve grades (and I agree with the sentiment), I also think that community service will serve to help with the problem also. Students may have to opportunity to volunteer with people and orgs. that will help them see life from a different perspective. For me, volunteering on campaigns helped me to gain focus in pursuing a career in law and (eventually) politics. Students can volunteer at vets, reading academies, libraries, hospitals, etc. and gain more insight into what it takes to pursue their dream careers. They may be around positive role models that they might not otherwise have the opportunity to see.
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