Jennifer Sirangelo | The Power of Service and Civic Engagement

As President and CEO of Points of Light, Jennifer Sirangelo has spent her career making the case that service is more than generosity—it is a way to build stronger communities, deepen civic connection, and create purpose. From Boys & Girls Clubs to the National 4-H Council and now Points of Light, she has championed the idea that people who take responsibility for their communities can help strengthen our country more broadly.At Points of Light, Sirangelo has set ambitious goals to expand volunteerism, increase the number of people engaged in service, and make it easier for people of all backgrounds and generations to participate. Her vision reflects a larger belief: that a stronger culture of service is an investment in the civic health of our country—and a way to bring people together at a time when so much is pulling us apart.In this episode of the SALA Series, host Basil Smikle sits down with Sirangelo to explore how volunteerism can combat loneliness, rebuild civic trust, and bridge political and social divides. They discuss empowering the next generation of leaders, the role of service in creating belonging, and why meaningful opportunities to contribute can renew our connections to one another and our communities.At its heart, the conversation is about what happens when people move from being observers of their communities to participants in them—and how those individual acts of service can become a powerful force for a more connected, engaged, and resilient country.