Fort Volunteer

Fort Volunteer is an informal community organization that exists to encourage volunteerism in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.

• Service is an awarding experience, and therefore should be the common expectation and common experience of all young people.
• Youth are community assets and should be given the opportunity to engage in the civic life of Fort Atkinson
• Youth possess unique perspectives, idealism, energy, creativity, and commitment.
• Service prepares youth for a healthy, rich life.
• Youth should be given a stakehold. Youth-led service projects are most effective because decision-making gives young people ownership for the solutions.
• Youth can be authentic leaders during childhood and adolescence.
• The civic responsibilities of volunteering and voting, and the critical links between them, must be taught to all children.
• Young people have a right to participate in the formulation of public policy, particularly where it directly affects their lives and their future.
• Meaningful youth service activities create strong, diverse communities of inspired, intelligent, civically-engaged young people.
• Youth from all backgrounds must have the opportunity to serve and lead in their communities.
• Quality service-learning practices should be widely adopted and implemented to advance student achievement and civic engagement.
• Peers, teachers, community leaders, public officials and the media play crucial roles in the campaign to increase the effectiveness and sustainability of youth service.