The American Way to Change: How National Service and Volunteers Are Transforming America

Shirley Sagawa

Apr 2010 · John Wiley and Sons

About this ebook

How ordinary citizens dedicated to service can change the face of America's most critical issues

What if the nation were able to capitalize on the energy of Americans willing to serve and volunteer for a year or more? This inspirational book tells the stories of real people who have dedicated themselves to service and the nonprofits that engaged them. It shows how selflessness and service have transformed lives and communities, and can address similar problems throughout the country. The author profiles successes, demonstrates measurable effects, and shows how impact is made. This book describes how we can achieve change, through action at both the community and organizational level.

• Filled with illustrative examples and key lessons
• Highlights programs such as Teach for America, City Year, and Community Health Corps
• Shows how nonprofits can create successful service programs to tackle different issues

The book shows what America would look like if programs like these operated at scale across the country not just in one or two neighborhoods, but wherever they were needed.

Ratings and reviews

This is the most inspirational book I have read since the Bible! A must read for all those who work in the nonprofit sector and business execs who really want to make an impact in their communities. This book gives the steps nonprofits can take to get volunteers who want to serve by collaborating with effective well organized agencies who have trained an motivated ordinary citizens to become extradinary citizens of service. This book will be a Godsent to our community food pantry. I plan to give out copies for Christmas to our volunteers so that they can spread the word. Thank you Shirley Sagawa for taking the time to share what you have learned with the rest of us. I thought the Charismatic Organization couldn't be beat, but this one is right up there. I hope to struggle a little less and be much more productive.

About the author

Shirley Sagawa is a fellow at the Washington think tank Center for American Progress. She has been called a "founding mother of the modern service movement" in the United States and has served as head of the Obama transition team for the Corporation for National and Community Service. She continues to advise the administration and congress regarding national service policy. Shirley also consults and advises numerous nonprofits on volunteering and service and served as a staff member of the White House during the Clinton Administration.