Heart of the Nation

Volunteering and America's Civic Spirit

by John M. Bridgeland

Description

Heart of the Nation traces America’s volunteer tradition—the golden thread of American democracy—and how Presidents from Washington to Obama have called on citizens to serve neighbor and nation. From the bunker below the White House on 9/11 to villages in Africa, John Bridgeland shares his own experiences inside and outside of government to spark more Americans to volunteer to meet urgent needs. He compellingly argues that such service is fundamental to our own happiness and to what the Founding Fathers envisioned when they talked about the “pursuit of Happiness” in the Declaration of Independence. Bridgeland helps the reader discover their own volunteer service mission and issues a rallying cry to the nation to heal our partisan divisions by joining together across party lines to address our toughest challenges.

ISBN-13: 1442220627

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Language: English

Publish Year: 2012

Heart of the Nation" by John M. Bridgeland delves into the critical role of national service and civic engagement in addressing America's most pressing challenges and mending its fractured social fabric. Bridgeland, drawing on his extensive experience in public service and as director of the White House Council for Community Solutions, argues that a renewed commitment to serving others is not merely a noble ideal but a practical imperative for national unity and progress. The book posits that service acts as a powerful antidote to polarization, fostering shared experiences, empathy, and a sense of common purpose across diverse demographics, thereby strengthening democratic institutions from the ground up.The core thesis of the book emphasizes that service initiatives, ranging from AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps to local volunteer efforts, provide invaluable platforms for individuals to transcend differences of race, class, and political ideology. By working side-by-side to tackle issues like education, disaster relief, environmental conservation, and poverty, participants build social capital and forge bonds that are often absent in increasingly segregated communities. Bridgeland highlights numerous success stories and programs, demonstrating how such efforts not only yield tangible community benefits but also equip individuals with essential skills, a stronger sense of citizenship, and a deeper understanding of their interconnectedness.Ultimately, "Heart of the Nation" serves as a passionate call to action, urging policymakers, philanthropists, community leaders, and everyday citizens to invest more deeply in opportunities for national and local service. Bridgeland outlines a vision for expanding service infrastructure, making service a rite of passage for young Americans, and integrating it more fully into civic life. He contends that by prioritizing service, the nation can rediscover its collective strength, bridge ideological divides, and cultivate a more resilient, empathetic, and united society, reminding readers that the "heart of the nation" beats strongest when its citizens serve one another.

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