In 2022, Utah's First Lady Abby Cox challenges Utahns to #ShowUp over 1,000,000 times to serve communities, organizations, and each other.
Why serve?
Service has the power to create meaningful connections, promote personal growth, and positively impact the world around us. It is an essential part of leading a fulfilling life, as it enables us to find purpose, learn new skills, and build relationships with like-minded individuals who share our values.
The act of giving back has an immense impact on the mental health and well-being of those who serve. Research shows that volunteering and engaging in acts of service can reduce stress, combat depression, and increase overall life satisfaction. Service enables us to shift our focus away from our own problems and instead to the needs of others, which in turn provides a sense of purpose, enhances self-esteem, and fosters a feeling of belonging and connectedness with our community. By serving others, we gain new perspectives on our own lives, develop empathy and compassion, and feel a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. Serving others is not just a selfless act, but an investment in our own mental and emotional well-being.
Looking for a place to serve?
JustServe
Catchafire
Volunteer Match
United Way’s 2-1-1 Volunteer
Youthlinc’s Local Service Directory
Volunteers of America
Volunteer with our Show Up partners:
Young Automotive KIND Fund
U Serve Utah
Utah Foster Care
Raise the Future
MLK Commission
Neighborhood House
Just Serve
United Way of Salt Lake
United Way of Northern Utah
4th Street Clinic
Community Action
YCC Family Crisis Center
Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness
The Children’s Center
Utah Parent Center
Hartland Center
The International Refugee Committee
Utah Catholic Community Services
ESLC
Encircle
Unified Sports
Friends of the Great Salt Lake
Blue Star Families
Davis Foundation
Ogden-Weber Community Action Partnership
Kids on the Move
Miss Utah Scholarship Organization
Make your service more personal and impactful. Ask you self the following questions:
1. How do you like to spend your time? What are your interests?
2. What skills do you have to share with others?
3. Do you want to serve with time, money, or professional skills?
This summer Show Up is teaming up with Thanksgiving Point, JustServe, and UServe Utah to ask Utahns to "do both" - Visit sandy beaches AND pack meals for hungry students. Go to the splash pad AND throw away litter in your neighborhood. Visit the Utah State Fair AND volunteer at the Utah Food Bank.
Adding a service project to your family's bucket list will make this summer even better!
Come to our free family service event on
June 24th from 4pm-9pm at Thanksgiving Point to visit with over 50 local service organization and learn how your family can give back this summer.
The event is FREE and will feature:
A Concert
Givaways
A Petting Zoo
Food Trucks
Lawn Games
Bounce House
Character Visits
Special Guests
...And More!
The main source of Utah’s strength is the service-minded hearts of its people. When tragedy strikes, when needs arise, when even small acts of kindness can make a big difference, we #ShowUp. We reach out to all, despite our differences, and in the process, we become more empathetic, more accountable, and more connected.
Click here for more ideas!
Social Media Campaign Launch
The First Lady is challenging Utahn’s to do 1,000,000 acts of service in 2022.
While a student at BYU, Jacob popped into the Y-Serve office looking for a way to get more involved in his community. He devoted his time and passion for community engagement to get involved with Scenic View Academy, a nonprofit transitional school for young adults with autism and other learning differences. He inspired many other students to get involed and make a difference.
Kirk has been volunteering as a tutor of English as a Second Language to adult immigrants at Guadalupe School for two years. He donates two hours of his time each week, teaching and mentoring students who want to improve their English and succeed in their new lives in the USA. Kirk continued to volunteer throughout the difficulties of the 2020 pandemic, and has been a mainstay for the community.
Susana helped youth and families in her community by facilitating mentorship. She identified students in need, and paired them with students that could help them socially and academically. The students she served saw incredible improvements in their language skills, built new friendships, and even got more engaged in extra-curricular activities.