The Penny Harvest service-learning program empowers kids to become engaged in their communities. The program helps students take what they learn in a classroom and apply it to real world situations. It was developed by Common Cents in New York City. It was developed in response to one father’s dilemma about how to respond to his four-year-old daughter’s wish to comfort a homeless man in 1991. Teddy Gross’s quest to provide a meaningful way for his daughter Nora, to help that man gave birth to a program that now provides all children a way to help. Currently in its 19th year of operation, students have donated over 26 million service hours and $7 million in grants since its launch. Research conducted by Columbia University shows that students who participate demonstrate:

• Increased in self esteem
• Increased interest and effort toward academics
• Improved communication and leadership skills
• Improved decision making and problem solving
• A greater sense of responsibility to peers, adults and community
• Improved ability to work with others