Outcome Area 8: Youth contribute to the betterment of their community.
Apart from career success and contributing to the economic foundation of Fairfax County, we want our youth to be fully engaged and committed to their communities in other ways. These connections are associated with positive outcomes in other areas, not just for the individuals, but for communities as a whole. To assess the extent to which this outcome is met, we measure four indicators:
The percentage of students who volunteer to do community service is an indicator of awareness of community issues and a desire to help address them.
The percentage of students who report having taken on leadership roles is an indicator of both commitment and readiness for future leadership opportunities.
Engagement in faith communities is important because of the tight social bonds that can result, and because so many faith communities in Fairfax are highly involved in social action.
Voter registration among young people is also an indicator of interest, concern, and engagement regarding local affairs.
When young people are actively involved in giving back, in contributing to their community, they are less likely to be engaged in problem behaviors such as substance abuse and violence. Beyond that, the community benefits by a reduced burden on public systems and increased overall quality of life.