Tales From Utah Valley: How can we be of service? Here’s a place to start
Courtesy Jeremy Hall
Laura GilesAs we learn about the recent violence in the Middle East and other tragedies occurring around the world, we often wonder how we can help our fellow humans. Even in our own neighborhoods, there are those who are struggling due to a variety of reasons and could also use our help. But we often wonder, “Where do we start?”
Recently, I wrote a story for the Daily Herald’s special general conference magazine titled “Going global: Church’s welfare efforts stretch far beyond Rocky Mountains.” Through researching this topic, I learned more about an incredible resource, JustServe.org.
JustServe.org is a website in which the volunteer needs of organizations are posted so that volunteers can search for opportunities to serve. The website is provided as a free service from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, anyone can use this resource to find ways to serve.
The site was launched in February 2012 in California and has since spread to over 13 countries. Nonprofit, community, faith-based and government organizations can register and then post listings with their specific volunteer needs. Volunteers can also register on the site and then find and sign up for service opportunities.
For example, I recently went to the site and typed in a Provo zip code. Many volunteer opportunities popped up including teaching youth to play frisbee golf, helping animals who were rescued from abusive and neglectful circumstances, playing the organ for a memory care facility, cooking and serving meals for homeless youth, and making blankets for hospice patients.
Keywords can also be searched. I put in the keyword “books” and a variety of service opportunities popped up in my area. Some of these include donating Spanish books, being a reading tutor, reading to hospice patients, and donating items for school kits for children in less-fortunate countries.
If you’re looking for a specific organization to serve with, that can be searched on the website as well. Doing a search of organizations in specific areas will give many ideas for people to volunteer and serve others. There are organizations to fill a variety of needs including providing food, donating clothing, education, spending time with youth and others in need, and beautifying the community. These are just a few examples.
While we may not be able to be hands-on helpers to people in other parts of the world who are experiencing catastrophes, JustServe.org is a great place to start to find people who we can help. Many are right here in our own communities. For more information, go to JustServe.org.
