Experienced Reflections from Educators, Students and Community Members The following article originally appeared in Community Works Journal Why Service Learning? by Larry Alper , Principal Oak Grove School, Brattleboro, VT-   "Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve...You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." With these words not only did Martin Luther King, Jr. define the fundamental requirements for service, but he expressed his unfailing belief in the capacity of people to contribute goodness to the world and achieve true greatness in their own lives. Service Learning is a great equalizer. It allows everyone to rise to the top, to reveal the best aspects of who they are and to distinguish themselves, not as separate from, but as connected to, other people. In increasing numbers so many of our children are growing up detached and disconnected from adults and from their communities. They are neglected and isolated and victimized by the poverty, both economic and emotional, that characterizes their lives. Service Learning presents them with possibilities otherwise unavailable to them.the opportunity to be valued and appreciated and to experience affection and the satisfaction of having done something of significance for others. The power of Service Learning for children is in the building of meaningful connections with their surroundings and with the growing awareness that they can truly make a difference in their world. Service Learning creates paths to understanding and appreciating the lives and needs of others and provides opportunities for children to translate that into what Dr. King would call "vigorous and positive action." The rate of change in our world is rapid. We urgently need people who can act not only with intelligence and creativity but with insight and compassion. We believe that children have the capacity and desire to respond to others beyond self interest. And we believe, as did Dr. King, that the goal of true education is intelligence and character. Service Learning is an essential component in such an education. It gives shape to our beliefs and provides children with the opportunity to increase their knowledge of self, others and the world and to give expression to this knowledge through thoughtful and meaningful action. Ultimately Service Learning is about hope and optimism and the belief that people, individually and collectively, can make a difference in the world. Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."