On a beautiful Saturday morning in Kissimmee, a heartfelt collaboration between teenagers and families from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Osceola County and the Kissimmee Church of the Nazarene highlighted a remarkable example of interfaith community service and passion for others.
Over 65 volunteers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Osceola County gathered on Youth Global Day of Service to contribute gardening and landscaping efforts to the Church of the Nazarene as a token of gratitude for the church’s extensive community work. This service project involved planting a vegetable garden and fruit trees, the yields of which will support local individuals and families in need, the enhancing of a prayer garden, and general cleanup tasks to beautify the surrounding area of the church.
The Church of the Nazarene plays a vital role in supporting various community initiatives. It aids the local Salvation Army, which suffered the loss of its Kissimmee building due to arson in late 2023, hosts the ‘Midwife Bus,’ that helps many underserved women establish self-sufficiency, making a difference in the lives of babies and families, and supports the Beyond Pregnancies organization among many other services to the community.
Brittany Pratt, the Just Serve specialist in Osceola County and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, led the volunteer efforts and spoke to Positively Osceola about the value of serving, specifically youth-based serving, “We love the opportunity for youth to come to serve and work together in the community to make it stronger. There are so many studies that show the benefits of youth serving. They’re happier, they have less depression, they have less aggression, and as seen right here in this service project, the youth are smiling, they’re happy, and they’re happy to be here today, on this beautiful Saturday morning, serving.”
Emmaleigh Burtoft, media specialist with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Osceola County shared, ” this is a really beautiful thing, interfaith service and serving in the community. We have great potential in Osceola County, and a way that we can help, is something our church is offering to the community, a website called JustServe. JustServe.org matches volunteers with organizations. It’s easy to go on and find a project that fits your age, your interest, your abilities, and non-profits can sign up for free, there is no charge to use it. It’s a way for our community to change for the better.”
JustServe.org is an inclusive and accessible platform dedicated to connecting volunteers with community service opportunities. This initiative helps individuals follow the ethos of serving and loving their neighbors by providing a straightforward means to engage in charitable activities. Here’s how people can utilize the Just Serve website and app effectively:
- Search for Opportunities: Users can simply enter their location on the JustServe website or app to discover a variety of service projects nearby. This feature allows volunteers to find causes that are geographically convenient and aligned with their interests.
- Register and Participate: After finding a suitable project, users can register directly through the platform. JustServe provides all necessary details, including the scope of work, time commitments, and any specific volunteer requirements.
- Inclusive Volunteering: JustServe emphasizes inclusivity, ensuring that there are no barriers based on race, religion, gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. It aims to make volunteering accessible to all, fostering a diverse and cooperative environment.
- Benefits of Volunteering: Engaging in volunteer work through JustServe not only aids the community but also enriches the volunteers’ lives. Studies suggest that volunteering can lead to greater happiness, less depression, and reduced aggression among participants.
JustServe.org, developed and supported by the Church of Latter-Day Saints, stands as a pivotal platform, enhancing the quality of life in communities and encouraging widespread participation in volunteerism, regardless of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.
