This article describes community service programs in several English towns. In Birkenhead, a group of young men wash cars at a community center. The youths gain a sense of accomplishment because they can see the results of their work, and a feeling of being worthwhile, because the cars' owners are grateful for the service. Many of the vehicle owners are senior citizens, some poor or disabled, who could not attend to the vehicles on their own. In addition, meeting at the center gives them social contact with other seniors and with the young people. In other locales community service workers build toys for local children, run activity programs, repair buildings, and paint and decorate. Community service programs are always vulnerable to the accusation that they are a soft option. However, they provide reparation to the community and reintegrate offenders into the community through dignity and self-respect and not through humiliation.