Pictured: Judy Hut, UServeUtah Community Engagement Program Manager (second from left), and First Lady Abby Cox (center) volunteering together at the Special Olympics World Games in Turin, Italy.
Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox has officially proclaimed the week of June 10 – 16, 2025, as Family Connection Week and the month between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day as Family Strengthening Month. These new observances, supported by the Utah Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS), are all about encouraging families to build stronger bonds through meaningful connection, and what better way to connect than by serving together?
At UServeUtah, we believe service is a powerful tool to strengthen relationships, teach values, and make a difference in our communities. Whether it's a simple act of kindness or a formal volunteer project, serving together helps families grow closer while giving back.
Why Serving Together Matters
Volunteering as a family doesn’t just benefit the community, it builds stronger families too. Research shows that:
- Family volunteering promotes communication and trust. Shared experiences like volunteering foster stronger emotional bonds and open the door to meaningful conversations. In one study, families who volunteered at a senior center described the experience as “enjoyable, meaningful, and integrative” and reported stronger family ties and motivation to continue serving a full year later (Reilly & Vesic, 2003).
- Children who serve with their families are more likely to stay engaged in service long-term. They develop empathy, social responsibility, and a sense of purpose.
- Serving together creates shared values and a positive family identity. According to Points of Light, volunteering together reinforces compassion, connection, and civic responsibility for all ages.
Ideas for Family Service
Whether you have toddlers, teens, or grandparents in your household, there are service activities that can work for you.
Formal Volunteering
- Serve at a local food bank: Pack meals or sort donations.
- Volunteer at a community garden: Grow food for local shelters.
- Support a local event or nonprofit: Look for family-friendly volunteer roles.
- Walk dogs or make toys at an animal shelter: Great for families with animal lovers.
Informal Volunteering
- Make hygiene or snack kits: Distribute to shelters or community centers.
- Host a neighborhood clean-up: Bring gloves, garbage bags, and your neighbors.
- Send cards to seniors or service members: Share creativity and encouragement.
- Cook or bake together for someone in need: A simple gesture with a big impact.
Looking for more ideas? DHHS has created a helpful list of connection-focused activities for all ages: Family Connection Week Activity List (PDF), and you can explore ways to volunteer at userve.utah.gov.
Confused about the differences between formal and informal volunteering? Wondering which is best for you and your family? Read our previous blog on formal vs. informal volunteering.
Make It a Tradition
This Family Strengthening Month, we encourage Utah families to choose one or more service activities and make them part of your story. Whether it’s a one-time project or a new monthly tradition, small acts of kindness can lead to lasting change in your home and in your community.
Share your family’s service stories using #FamilyStrengtheningMonth and #ServeTogetherUT to help spread the movement.
Let’s grow stronger, together.