Completing Community Service Hours
Step 1:
Find an organization that will allow you to volunteer your time to the community. Community service hours completed for the Bright Futures scholarships must address a social issue. OCPS outlines the following social issues on the community service form: Animal Welfare, Environmental Protection/Recycling, Mental & Physical Challenges/Disabilities, Protection/Safety, Domestic Violence, Community Engagement, Mentoring/Education, Public Office, Healthcare, Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle, Elder care, Human Rights, Poverty/Hunger/Homelessness, etc.
Step 2:
Email your school counselor for an appointment to discuss your plans for community service and to obtain a community service form. If your plans meet the Bright Futures community service criteria, you can download the form: Community-Work Service Form Revised 8.2023.pdf
Step 3:
Begin your community service at your approved site and log all hours on the provided form. When you have finished your hours, have your site supervisor sign off on the form and total your hours. You will then write a paragraph reflecting on the service you completed in the reflection section.
Step 4:
Check to make sure your community service form is complete with all signatures and then return the form to your school counselor to log in your Skyward account. These hours will be counted toward Bright Futures and can be used for other organizations such as National Honor Society. We recommend earning 100 community service hours by senior year—these can also be highlighted on your college applications and resume.
Note: Please check your Canvas for community service opportunities throughout the school year!
Examples of Approved Community Service Sites
- Second Harvest Food Bank
- Orlando Science Museum
- Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando
- The Ronald McDonald House
- DoSomething.org
- Florida State Parks
- Meals on Wheels
- Habitat for Humanity
- City of Orlando
- VolunteerFlorida.org