community service

I would like to see a program put in place for those of us who are middle aged and above to have a chance to give back in a structured way. The program would need to include health benefits and payments to social security, but the work would be done on a close to voluntary basis, if those requirements were met. I would like it to include arts funding. As an example, as a creative arts therapist, I would give services to wounded vets or needy children as long as I knew I had a secure retirermen

A Job Bank/Skills Exchange that allows people to volunteer their time helping others while getting a "credit" for their time that they can eventually redeem for others' help later. People could either enter the skills that they have and want to offer, or they could enter the tasks/services, that they need. The job bank could then post reviews and keep a current "balance" of your credits. This could provide a certain amount of relief for those served and those serving in tough economic times.

Schools could organize snow days as days for public service, whether shoveling an elderly neighbor's sidewalk and steps or offering to check in on shut-ins, etc, It could help inspire a sense of national caring for others in ourselves and in our children. Perhaps teachers, administrators and even fire personnel could help organize the logistics on those days. This might allow the teachers to get paid, and the kids to engage inrk that allows them those days as part of their curriculum.

We can widen community service opportunities from Peace Corps and Vista to any project, approved by a review board, that satisfies the community value in the work done, whether it be taking care of elderly so they can stay home instead of a nursing center, or creating community artwork, daycare work, public works projects, etc. Then we offer training around those jobs so that volunteers can gain the skills needed for a real paying job. Also, people/* could redeem a year of tuition for work too.