The Human Kind Experiment 2012

In an effort to increase volunteerism in the state, Serve Rhode Island has launched a 3-year campaign to recruit and engage 17,500 new volunteers, a number that would eliminate the state's volunteer deficit and put Rhode Island at the national average for the percentage of residents who volunteer. See op-ed in 1/6/12 Providence Journal.

The scope of the Experiment will grow to reach all sectors of need in the community and the environment. The major impact focus of the Experiment is to address the needs of failing students in RI's public schools.

Join The Human Kind Experiment by signing up today! See the Plan Summary or read the full Implementation Plan. We welcome your thoughts and comments (below).

If interested in volunteering in the schools, the application can be accessed here. Contact Leah Glass at lglass@serverhodeisland.org or Kerri Thornsbury at kthornsbury@serverhodeisland.org for more info. They can also be reached at (401) 331-2298.

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J Cummins	(12/30/2011 9:09:07 AM)

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The "failing students" have had access to tutoring by professional certified teachers. Yet they continue to fail, how will your program address the issues that professional certified teachers could not?
language/ knowledge acquisition takes time. Testing does not respect that reality. If you cannot require failing students get the time they need, no number of minimally trained volunteers can help. Spend your volunteer energy to work on requiring failing students get the time they need. They

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clientadmin	(1/2/2012 10:13:19 AM)

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Thanks for your comments, J. Cummins. The problem of student discipline has been raised by many, especially teachers. More needs to be done in this area for sure and it will likely require parent involvement and a consensus around the rules for students, attendance, homework, passing grades, etc.

Dana Fabrizio	(1/7/2012 7:23:13 AM)

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As a former substitute teacher, I often felt the need for attention was the greatest motivator for lack of compliance and thus led to increased disruptions during my lessons. With increased support from caring individuals our students and teachers are both served. I welcome this innovative approach and with "on board" enthusiasm, the students will join our quest to provide them with the best education possible!!!

clientadmin	(1/13/2012 3:10:01 AM)

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Thank you for your comment and support!

Elizabeth Torres	(1/30/2012 8:50:23 AM)

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I have served Providence public schools as an AmeriCorps, and have observed that many schcools still don't offer an inviting environment to their students. I was shocked to see the condition of some (if not all) of the class rooms. If I had to go to a place like that every day, I would have been depressed just by looking at the room. Also, I have observed the lack of programs and activities the schools offer in their curriculum. For example: my daughter loves music and sports, and in her school she is being offer the opportunity to play the instrument of her choice and the sport she likes most. She plays the trumpet in the school band, and she's getting ready to sign for the gilrs basketball team. These activities motivates her so that she loves going to school and is very responsible with her home work (in order to be in this activities she has to do go in all of her classes - my rule first, then the school). Please put the money in those activities and children'll do great.:)

clientadmin	(2/1/2012 7:45:58 AM)

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Excellent point Elizabeth. As I recall junior high school, it was the fun stuff (track and band) that got me through the basic academics.

Weronika	(3/7/2012 6:07:53 AM)

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Dear Year Round Volunteer :I salute you! Ongoing, relbaile service is truly charitable in the BEST sense of the word. There are so many in need, and so much to be done! Those of you who regularly give up their time, money, or other resources to help others often without much credit or external reward deserve to feel good about themselves.I hope you can broaden your ideas about those who can't or don't. People who volunteer only at certain times may not feel they are saving the world. I am a year-round volunteer (two hours a week is all I feel I can fit in) in a literacy program, but I was thinking I might help out at one of the food programs at Thanksgiving because I thought they might need some extra hands at that time, because some regular volunteers might not be available, or because of increased volume. Last year, my sister couldn't get home for the holiday, because although she works two jobs, she couldn't afford the plane fare. So instead of staying home feeling sorry for herself, she helped out at a holiday party in a local nursing home. If my sister and I turn up for the first time on Thanksgiving at the place where you volunteer, I hope that instead of wondering about us, you'll show us how to roll up our sleeves and be of most help.Happy Thanksgiving!