Impactful Service
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Our annual reports reflect our dedication to our communities and partners…and to the service projects that they have prioritized to make a positive impact. Through statistics, photos, anecdotes, and more, the reports detail the projects in each country we visit. Please check them out!
IMPACTFUL COMMUNITY SERVICE
Global Works is a service organization first and a travel company second. In all of our locations, we partner with communities and organizations to select and implement meaningful teen service trips. Our philosophy is to work WITH a community, not for a community. In partnership with community members, we provide a grassroots experience that makes an impact on both our students and our partner organizations in the following specialized areas:
BUILDING INITIATIVES
chosen. This often involves a rebuilding project or an enhancement of a local community space. Participants work alongside community members to build infrastructure that impacts the larger local community. Projects stem from our relationships with local youth groups, community organizations, and community-based committees.
Building initiatives get right down to business with construction projects that the community has
- Previous projects: constructing a local community center, historical restoration projects, rebuilding a home, and building playgrounds.
- Find building initiative projects on these Summer Service Adventure programs:
WORKING WITH CHILDREN
Education extends from classroom support and instruction to infrastructural projects that serve to benefit students and enhance academic institutions.
- Previous projects: working with local teachers to teach English, planning and executing educational activities with local children, and planning a field day for local youth
- Find educational community service projects on these Summer Service Adventure programs:
WILDLIFE & ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Global Works partners with national parks, grassroots community organizations, local schools, and conservation agencies. This allow participants avenues to conserve the natural environment and protect vital habitat and threatened wildlife populations in diverse regions around the globe.
- Previous projects: removal of invasive plant species, responsible trail construction and maintenance, beach revitalization, recycling programs, reforestation projects, watershed protection, assisting in wildlife rehabilitation and reintroduction centers, providing hands-on animal care, conducting wildlife research, and participating in the revitalization of vulnerable wildlife habitat.
- Find environmental projects on these Summer Service Adventure programs:
PUBLIC HEALTH
Target the improvement of health at the local level through partnerships with communities, governmental agencies, and non-governmental organizations through projects and initiatives.
- Previous projects: lessons on dental hygiene and nutrition, building of latrines, wash stations, and solar stoves, constructing clean-water facilities in schools and homes.
- Find public health projects on this Summer Service Adventure program:
HUMAN RIGHTS & SOCIAL JUSTICE
Human Rights & Social Justice projects serve to enhance community cohesion and identity, provide recreation space for local youth, foster youth leadership, and increase community involvement. Often participants will partner with marginalized communities across the glove. Projects stem from our relationships with local youth groups, community organizations, and community-based committees.
- Previous projects: working with people with disabilities in a local school, assisting local artisans, and collaborating with immigrant communities in sustainable practices.
- Find human rights ad social justice projects on this Summer Service Adventure program:
SERVICE LEARNING & REFLECTION
Global Works groups process service learning through reflection meetings. Trained staff lead spirited discussions about projects, accomplishments, challenges, cultural differences, impact on the community, sustainability, etc. You may also use at least one of these meetings to discuss how the work project was set up, Global Works’ philosophy on service projects, what the long term effects of the project will be, why sustainability is important, etc.
COMMUNITY SERVICE CERTIFICATE
As a part of Global Works’ community service trips for teenagers, participants are eligible to receive a community service certificate documenting their work. The total number of service hours on a Global Works program may vary from 20-60 hours, depending on the length of your program, your program location, and variables beyond our control, such as weather. Generally, students earn 15-20 hours per week. After your program ends you will receive a “Community Service Certificate.” This document notes the number of hours you completed and a detailed description of the tasks and projects accomplished. We are also happy to complete any further documentation needed to earn community service hours for a school or civic organization.
BRINGING IT HOME
We encourage continued interest in service work, humanitarian efforts, and environmental preservation throughout the lifetimes of a Global Works participant. Through debriefings and discussion, we map out the way participants can continue this type of work in their future. The trip journal serves as a reminder to the group of the value of their efforts and contributions to the service work they completed!