I had a dream, that one day my students will be involved in the National Service-Learning Conference!

It was back in the spring of 2001 that I attended the National Service Learning Conference for the first time in Denver, Colorado. As a staff member for the National School and Community Corps, an Americorps program run by EducationWorks, I was asked to attend the conference as a representative of the organiation and to present information about a program I was facilitating at Girls High of Philadelphia. I was so excited to travel to my first work conference and learn more about service learning. Attending this conference was no doubt a turning point in my career. I remember very clearly the event that made me realize that youth have the power to change the world. It was in a workshop lead by Cathryn Berger Kaye and her daughter Devorah. Devorah had written a book about how to have conversations with senior citizens. She stood in front of the room, well spoken and confident, and shared her experience with a room full of adults and youth. At that moment I remember thinking….one day my kids will do this.

One year later, I had just finished my first year teaching at New Foundations Charter School, and in the mail arrived an application to present at the National Service Learning Conference 2003 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I worked diligently over the summer to gain the support of my administration and colleagues to submit two workshop proposals—which were both accepted! This is where NFCS’ involvement with the National Service Learning began. In March 2003, NFCS students, staff and parents made our first journey to the land of service learning.

Over the past 10 year, NFCS has been involved in the conference on a variety of levels. We have served as workshop leaders, on-site service project coordinators, youth MCs, and the official “Conference Film Crew”. Unofficially, the NFCS crew has become part of the NYLC family and conference staff, often referred to as “Shira’s Kids”. You can always find us at the conference, in our matching gear, in the video room, or roaming the exhibit hall getting participants involved in our projects. No matter where you look, you will find us.

I can honestly say that being part of this conference has changed the way NFCS engages students in service. It has given hundreds of NFCS students a chance to grow, mature, and become young adults by traveling cross country to participate. The National Service Learning Conference is the only place where adults and youth can dialogue on an equal level, work together toward a common goal, and learn from each other. Just like in years past, NFCS will be in Denver this spring. We’ll strut our stuff, involve others in service, pass on our knowledge, and hopefully grow up a bit.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Shira Woolf Cohen is the Vice Principal at New Foundations Charter School in Philadelphia.