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In July 2024, Utah launched Volunteer for Good, a high school service initiative designed to deepen students’ connection to their communities, enhance well-being, and foster civic and academic growth. The pilot began in five local education agencies — Garfield, Granite, Nebo, Sevier, and Mountain Heights Academy — with students serving their communities and reflecting on their experiences.
The Vision Behind the Initiative
Rooted in Utah’s commitment to civic engagement and student well-being, Volunteer for Good aims to explore how service impacts students’ academics, social connections, civic engagement, and mental health. Aligned with the state’s strategic values, the program helps young people discover themselves as contributors and changemakers in their communities.
A Year of Impact in Numbers
More than 7,600 students participated in the first year of the pilot. They collectively logged nearly 90,000 service hours, with an average of about 21 hours per student. Some students even volunteered hundreds of hours, showing deep commitment and passion for service.
One LEA coordinator painted a vivid picture of how service became meaningful in everyday activities:
“[One school] effectively engaged students by involving them in the move to a new building, where students voluntarily helped staff with packing and organizing. This created a tangible connection between service and community benefit.”
Scenes like this turned practical tasks into community bonds in motion, showing students firsthand how their efforts mattered.
Numbers tell one part of the story, but students’ own words tell the heart of it. Year 1 participants shared how service brought them joy:
“Helping people has made me happier.”
“Since getting involved with volunteer-work, I’ve felt happier. It’s something I look forward to because I get to interact with the people who share this town with me.”
“Service…is so fulfilling and makes me happy. I remember when I got to go to [school name] elementary as a student council activity – that was the greatest way I could have spent an hour and a half. I loved it so much, and because of that, I went on to apply and be offered a position as a counselor at [organization] this June. I’m so excited.”
“Service has helped me feel happy as I have striven to bring joy to others. Many of my experiences involved serving kids. This was so fun for me and helped me learn that I like being around kids, while also helping those kids have a friend.”
Purpose, Confidence, and Connection
Beyond happiness, students found deeper meaning and growth through service:
“There are people out there that are a lot less fortunate than I am and a lot of them are the people sitting right next to me in math class. Giving back gives me a sense of purpose.”
“Volunteering has prepared me for my future mission and strengthened my desire to serve long term — whether in my career or community. It’s shown me that service isn’t just about doing good things — it’s about becoming a better person in the process. The community benefits from the work we do, but I’ve also grown more confident, humble, and aware of the needs around me.”
“Volunteering, especially through programs like ‘Volunteer for Good,’ has helped shape who I am and how I see others. Whether it’s serving in my church, helping neighbors, or participating in local service projects, I’ve learned how powerful small acts of kindness can be. These experiences have taught me the value of selflessness, hard work, and showing up for people when it matters most.
“Volunteering has helped me build deeper bonds with my schoolmates and adult leaders. I have had the opportunity to help brighten people’s day, even if only a little bit, through things like lunch activities and helping them with academics. It’s these little happy moments in everyone’s day that can spread to others and create an overall happier community. In my own way, I think I have contributed to making a happier community.”
“Volunteering has helped me form a connection and attachment to this city and the people who live here. It’s helped me discover my purpose and that serving those within my community gives me a sense of fulfillment.”
The Start of Something Lasting
In just one year, Volunteer for Good made remarkable strides:
Thousands of students engaged.
Tens of thousands of hours served.
Countless moments of joy, growth, and connection captured in student voices.
All aligned with the vision of service as a core component of high school education in Utah.
“Helping people has made me happier.”
“Giving back gives me a sense of purpose.”
“I loved it so much— I’m so excited.”
These candid reflections are at the heart of Volunteer for Good and remind us that service is a pathway to happier, more connected, and more purposeful young lives.
Learn more about the Volunteer for Good program at userve.utah.gov/volunteer-for-good.