What is America Serves?

AMERICA SERVES is a student-driven, student-focused service project opportunity for high school students interested in learning about the challenges faced by children in other parts of the world, and doing something about them.  The goal of each AMERICA SERVES project is to design, plan, and execute an educational fundraising event for an overseas relief organization chosen by the students.  The beneficiary changes each year according to the interests and focus of the students and teachers involved. 

AMERICA SERVES is a forum in which high school students exercise ownership of a specific, public event, develop their sense of understanding of and empathy for children in other parts of the world, and develop the executive skills of management, organization, and success in putting on the event.

 

AMERICA SERVES is based on an organization co-founded by Linda Falcão, her daughter, and other parents and students at Lower Merion High School in Ardmore PA.  The student club based on these guidelines has operated successfully at Lower Merion High School for over five years, and is now the second largest student club at the school.  Lower Merion has been consistently recognized as one of the Top 100 Schools in the nation, and sends 94% of its graduates on to college.  Several club members have gone on to Ivy League colleges and studies in international relations, economics, and related fields, inspired in part by what they learned and experienced in this program.  In addition to building character and developing executive skills, the AMERICA SERVES experience provides an excellent college application topic and resume-builder.

Photo credits-Afghanistan/Pakistan (c) Central Asia Institute; Uganda (c) UMECS

All other photos and text (c) America Serves, LLC.  Any copying or reproduction of these materials without the written consent of America Serves LLC. is strictly prohibited.