Community Service

Making Waves helps students embrace core values that include a focus on social justice and a commitment to building community. Through organized community service and volunteer activities, along with mentor support, students learn to "recycle" success, share talents, and love and support others.

One group of Wave-Makers, as part of a community service class, recently spent a morning at the Richmond Habitat Garden rebuilding the beds, weeding, and installing benches. Making Waves also creates opportunities for students to volunteer in community centers for extended periods of time. For example, Wave-Makers might help the elderly or work with children and young adults with disabilities, building positive relationships and learning how to show respect and empathy towards others. 

For Wave-Makers there are no borders to their sense of community. In response to the earthquake in Haiti, the students hosted their first charitable fundraiser - The Making Waves Academy Student Art Auction for Haiti. Students created paintings, drawings, and sculptures; some of them were inspired by Haitian artists. Teachers added Haitian history and culture to the curriculum. They talked about the impact of the tragedy on Haiti and the world. Armed with this knowledge, Wave-Makers are better prepared to engage with the world.

In many instances, students generate their own ideas about how they can be of service to others. After an assembly on bullying earlier this year at Making Waves Academy, several Wave-Makers wanted to take responsibility for bringing about change and – after several months of planning – launched a conflict mediation program at the school.