Volunteering is one of those yearly resolutions many of us make with good intentions, but we might not always know exactly where to start. Volunteering to help others is not only fulfilling emotionally, but it can be an educational experience as well. Having the opportunity to learn about the difficulties that others are experiencing, and how those difficulties can be alleviated, can only help us throughout our own lives — and enable us to help more people in the future.

Luckily, right here in Utah Valley, there are ample opportunities to volunteer and serve. Here is a short list of five ways to serve our neighbors.

Mentoring Child Victims

The Utah County Children’s Justice Center is looking for volunteers who can spend one hour a week, for at least seven months, mentoring children who have been victims of abuse. The role of the mentor is to be the child’s friend, positive influence and a reliable, consistent presence.

Training will be provided for those who wish to volunteer. The center is especially looking for male volunteers and those wishing to serve in the south end of the county. For more information or to sign up, contact Annette at AnnetteD@UtahCounty.gov or call 801-851-8504 by Jan. 28.

Provide Food for the Hungry

Tabitha’s Way food pantries in American Fork and Spanish Fork provide food for hundreds of Utah County residents every month. One in eight individuals is at risk of missing a meal on any given day. One in seven Utah children are unsure where they will get their next meal.

“Volunteers are the heart of our organization. Whether it’s one hour or five hours, it will make a difference in your life and those you are serving in the community,” it reads on the pantries’ website. Volunteers are invited to serve as individuals, families and small groups. For more information, go to http://tabithasway.org.

Helping Rape Survivors

As rape crisis team members with The Refuge Utah, volunteers are on call at specified times to meet victims at the hospital after they are assaulted. The team members provide comfort and information to the rape victims.

Volunteers with the rape crisis team also answer phone calls that come through the rape crisis hotline. They answer questions and offer support to victims who are calling. For more information about this rewarding and important opportunity, go to http://therefugeutah.org.

Lighten the Burdens of Those in Poverty

Provo’s Food and Care Coalition has a mission to alleviate hunger and diminish the plights of poverty for those who enter its doors. The coalition’s primary objectives are to find suitable housing, teach financial accountability, facilitate an elevation in personal morals and values and help each patron achieve their full potential.

The county’s homeless, mentally ill, learning disabled, fixed-income families and families affected by tragedies can obtain nutritious meals at the Food and Care Coalition seven days a week. In addition, the coalition provides showers, laundry, hygiene, counseling, housing and educational opportunities. A variety of volunteer opportunities are available. For more information, go to http://foodandcare.org or call 801-373-1825, extension 408.

Community Volunteers

Volunteering in your own city can be a fun way to meet fellow residents, make friends and build up your own neighborhood. Each community has a variety of volunteer opportunities. Some of these include planning commissions, beautification committees, arts commissions, historic preservation commissions, library boards, police honorary colonels, city festival committees and more. Check out your city’s website or Facebook page to learn about some of these rewarding and enjoyable causes.

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