Based on Oklahoma's experience with a money management program, three principles of successful program for limited-resource families are understanding the audience, expanding education through volunteers, and networking with community agencies. (SK)

Interviews with 190 participants in Money Sense--a financial management education program based on the "master volunteer" approach--showed that the program taught them food shopping and money management skills and helped save money on food costs. Most experienced fewer financial problems and perceived their financial status as improved.…

Extension educators can increase the effectiveness of resource management programs for low income groups by (1) realizing that what works for middle income consumers may not necessarily work with other groups; (2) combining resources of service and educational agencies; and (3) mobilizing volunteers to multiply outreach efforts. (SK)

Sustainable development means educating the powerless to become empowered. The changed role of development workers requires participatory training that gives them the experience of nonhierarchical collective learning and decision making. (SK)

Involvement in community service can benefit middle-school students by helping them feel valued, teaching responsibility, and improving teacher-student relations. A rural Pennsylvania middle school evaluated community-service opportunities and then employed StarServe, a resource kit encouraging students to develop their own service projects.…

A study of first-year University of South Carolina students indicating interest in a orientation course found that of the 77 enrolling and 80 not allowed to enroll, a higher retention rate was found among enrollees. Results indicate the course is successful in increasing retention rates among interested students. (Author/MSE)

Assessed potential interest of incoming African-American and white students in eight mainstream campus volunteer opportunities. Findings from 727 incoming students who completed the Campus Involvement Interest Survey revealed that African-American students expressed significantly more interest than did white students in 4 volunteer opportunities,…

Describes Japanese correctional system including its early history and adoption of Western ideas in the late nineteenth century. Presents current Japanese treatment practices, probation/parole systems, and other offender assistance programs pointing out the importance of individual responsibility and community involvement to the system. Compares…

Guidelines offered for working with college alumni volunteers in student recruitment efforts include enlisting local alumni leaders' help; communicating expectations and procedures; requiring up-to-date records on local schools; prompt response to volunteer communications; and recognizing volunteer contributions. (MSE)

The use of focus groups to assess existing college student leadership efforts and as a step in developing better programs is examined. Procedures include assembling a planning team, identifying information needs, determining the composition of focus groups, soliciting and training volunteers, and using focus group results to design a program. (MSE)

In Danville, Kentucky, the community cooperated in converting a neglected stream into a walking trail and park network, resulting in increased community pride, environmental awareness, community revitalization, and public-private cooperation. The local middle school regularly tests the water, and the local college's annual clean-up party earned an…

Explores the concept of school-based youth community service as a means to help students connect to their communities. Lists resources in service learning. Discusses ways to help service learning reach its potential. Presents arguments for and against having such a program, and addresses the debate about mandatory service. (DLH)

A survey of 52 volunteers in the Foster Grandparent Program revealed that frequent family contact was associated with life satisfaction, especially among rural elders. Minorities are a fast-growing cohort of the aging population. Recognition of elder needs and creation of a culture of connectedness are ways to recruit and retain foster…

Explores the motivations of college student volunteers in an urban location, where social needs have grown exponentially in the last decade. Discusses how student affairs professionals might apply findings. Proposes that volunteer activity serve as a conduit between academic learning and life experience to produce good citizenship skills. (MKA)

Reports that, at Sts. Peter and Paul School, parents are assisting with classes such as music, science, reading, Spanish, physical education, and art. States that family involvement is key to the success of a child and that the future of both children and schools look promising because of the volunteer work that is done by parents. (CW)