As a gift to local communities throughout the United States and Canada, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has recently launched, JustServe.org—an online tool that matches churches, civic organizations, non-profits, and governmental agencies needing volunteers with volunteers willing to help. JustServe.org serves as a bridge between organizations and individuals, groups and families wanting to make a difference through serving in their community.
JustServe.org makes it easy for both the willing volunteer and the organization needing support.
A recently published online article on lds.net about the release of JustServe.org highlighted the successes that have already come from a pilot program that was deployed three years ago in a geographical region in the San Francisco Bay Area in California covering the Tri-Valley area of the Easy Bay spreading south through San Jose and the Silicon Valley down to Monterey as well as in the Denver and Dallas areas.
The JustServe.org "About Us" page describes the purpose of this new online tool eloquently:
"JustServe.org is provided as a service by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Following the Biblical admonition of the Savior to 'love thy neighbor as thyself,' JustServe provides opportunities to relieve suffering, care for the poor and needy, and enhance the quality of life in the community. JustServe is not for proselytizing or publicity for the Church—simply a service to match community volunteer needs with volunteers."The JustServe.org "About Us" page also gives a great description of the general guidelines for those wishing to submit service opportunities to be listed on the site:
- The best service opportunities are collaborative – working side-by-side with others in the community.
- Humanitarian service opportunities should assist the poor and those in need of a helping hand.
- Community service opportunities should enhance the quality of life in the community.
- JustServe projects should not directly involve volunteers in fundraising, have a political focus, or be for-profit oriented.
