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Points of Light Institute at the A&M University, Texas is an organization dedicated to provide community service at large. This institution was founded by the former President George. W. Bush. Recently and on October 16th, 2009 President Obama visited this institution for its 20th anniversary.

In his address to the students in the audience as well to the other students around the country, President Obama reminded them about the importance of the oldest of American traditions namely community service. He referred to community service as an activity that binds us to our country, to our community as well as to each other.

Both President Obama and former President Bush believed strongly that community service is indispensible to higher education and teaches students all about ethical behaviour and value of teamwork. Indulging in community service also strengthens and sharpens their problem solving and leadership skills apart from broadening their compassionate nature. President Obama aptly stated that it is impossible not to think about and be affected by unemployment and poverty if you have volunteered at least once at a food bank.

Community service must be used effectively in raising quality of life and improving economic competitiveness. For example, Closing the Gaps is a higher education initiative in Texas that strives to rope in more number of Texans to enrol and complete their higher education programs including baccalaureates and technical education. It is evident that more numbers of middle and high school Texans will go on to take advantage of higher education if they could access counselling programs and after school tutoring offered by energetic, bright and well trained college students.

By expanding writing and reading classes offered by college volunteers from across the state, it is possible to enhance the prospect of finding a job for two million adults who lack literacy skills. There is a lot of room to expand the community service programs in colleges as there is enough evidence that students are willing to respond.

Student volunteers are in high demand from community organizations that are short of staffs and finances. It is also good for institutions if their students engage in community service. Statistics show that better grades are obtained by students who take interest in serving the community. They graduate at higher rates skilfully blending academic work with community services.

Service learning provides a rich platform for interactive learning. For instance, a student of adolescent psychology will be well equipped to mentor a teenager who is troubled. The mentor can also put down in writing the valuable experience to guide future mentors. Students of urban studies have an excellent opportunity to provide a revitalization plan to the local political leaders.

Students who opt for community services must be provided with effective supervision and training. Many initiatives for sustaining service programs and providing designing expertise is offered by many organizations including the National Youth Leadership Council and the Texas Campus Compact. According to George H.W. Bush, community services accomplishes not with the involvement of the corporations or government but with the inspiration of individuals across the country to lend a helping hand. It is the need of the hour to inspire brightest young students across college campuses in Texas to achieve this goal.