This summer, we lay witness to a myriad of tragedies that have deepened the fractures within our nation: Orlando, Dallas, St. Paul, Baton Rouge. We drown in story after story of senseless violence, racial discrimination, persistent homophobia and all other deficiencies of human character. But the national conversation that ensues does little to mend these fractures, as the deeper problems continue to fester until the next flashpoint tragedy. Why do we as a nation continue to disregard the pain that afflicts our society?

Many of the issues that have erupted in the United States are rooted in lack of understanding, gaps in empathy, eroded trust in our fellow citizens. Our nation is held back by our fears of the unknown. We vilify those who simply reach out for a helping hand because it’s easier to be cynical and untrusting than to find compassion.

The philosophical and existential questions about how we have reached such a disconnect in our country can be debated until the end of time. But we need tangible solutions. I propose a step in the right direction, one that has been proposed in the past but that I feel has even more merit now: universal civilian national service.

Imagine the possibility with me for a moment. Envision the large-scale mobilization of young people drawn from the diverse tapestry that is America, focusing their collective energy, passion, and knowledge to tackle the problems that persist in our nation. Imagine the impact such a national undertaking could have: tutoring and mentoring students in disadvantaged school districts, repairing homes in disaster-stricken areas, providing legal aid for overworked public defenders, creating green spaces in city neighborhoods and community gardens in food deserts. Does that not paint a beautiful outlook for our nation?

The concept of committing civilians to national service outside of the military has been proposed in various bills over the past couple decades. In fact, the United States has such national service entities, AmeriCorps being the primary agent. But AmeriCorps has the budget to only accept between 10-15 percent of its hundreds of thousands of applicants. It baffles me that an organization committed to bettering our nation is so constrained that it has to turn away energetic Americans willing to sacrifice time and money for the collective good. There is a vast reservoir of energy for service and social change at the disposal of the country. Why not tap into it as much as possible?

I’ve heard numerous reports on high unemployment rates among youth and those graduating from college, as well as recent graduates drowning in loan debt. Why not utilize these people for national service? Why not equip them with skills and knowledge that a seemingly closed environment like a school or college can not bestow? Those who commit a year or two of service could be awarded a stipend or student loan forgiveness or scholarships toward graduate school. But even beyond these monetary rewards for such service, the leadership and teamwork skills gained should and would be embraced by future employers, law schools, medical schools, graduate schools, etc.

I realize the fear that some may have about such as a large-scale program: the federal government should not encroach on something that should be left up to local organizations and nonprofits. I understand this concern. I have worked for an environmental nonprofit, and I understand the benefits of grassroots organizations. These organizations tend to have clear visions unbridled by strict bureaucracy, as opposed to any government entity that must tackle a wide array of problems and bring together innumerable opposing viewpoints. But I don’t see how the two can not be linked. A national service entity like AmeriCorps could pair an applicant with grassroots organizations and nonprofits that align with his or her goals, while still preserving those organizations’ autonomy. Imagine the progress that can be achieved when the energy and passion of grassroots organizations is paired with the reach of government agencies.

We face issues that have been slowly growing in scale and reach for the past century or more: climate change, racial violence, pervasive inequality, etc. We have our backs against the wall. Despite all of this, our generation possesses a fiery desire to make the world a better place than it was when we found it, emboldened by a determination that only comes from having our backs against the wall. Committing to a year of service has the power to bring young people together from various races, genders, incomes, faiths, sexual orientations, and political backgrounds to tackle the problems facing our wonderful, yet wounded nation, But beyond the visible impact, serving alongside those from different walks of life can build empathy and restore trust in our shared democracy, while hopefully healing the wounds our nation has sustained.

Nathan Campbell is a junior majoring in environmental engineering. His column runs biweekly.