Throughout the past year we have seen service become more prevalent in the public eye. Two recent articles highlight the power of service, and the ways in which it boosts U.S productivity and makes a difference in people’s lives. This year, it has been evident that through natural disasters and economic downfalls that service stands unwavering.

The first article, “Boosting Youth Employment” by Shirley Sagawa, explains why federal programs help American youth successfully enter the workforce and are key to our national economic competitiveness. Sagawa explains how budget cuts on the national service sector will negatively impact the U.S. and includes ways in which service can positively affect our country:

• By helping returning veterans reintegrate
• Keeping youth on track in school and out
• Improving the health of low-income communities
• Reducing energy consumption
• Rebuilding communities after disasters

All of these bullets fit into what we call the “Four Es,” categories in which their nature inherently calls for the support of people coming together to take voluntary action: education, environment,emergency relief and economic development.

Sagawa writes, “One telling case in point: National service organizations have taken the lead in organizing and deploying people who have volunteered in the wake of the nation’s deadliest tornado in six decades in and around Joplin, Missouri.”

The second article, by John Gomparts, discusses the indispensable role Americorps plays in transforming help into effective action in disasters. The article, Guest Commentary, A Stunning Response” ran in St. Louis Today.

“180 AmeriCorps members from across the country have come to Joplin, where they have managed the volunteer reception center, supported the police department with missing-person inquires, operated a collection and sorting warehouse, removed debris, and managed a large-scale volunteer operation that has registered more than 37,000 people who have performed more than 111,000 hours of volunteer work.”

These stories underline our values that all real change is powered by people. We have a 21^st century society that needs volunteerism to deliver so much more than it has ever delivered before. In a time where our economy is not at its best and unemployment rates are high, service is more important than ever to get work done that needs to be done. These stories show why it is important to Save Service in America.