Inspiring Utah's students to serve
Volunteer for Good
Volunteer for Good is Utah’s high school service initiative, designed to explore the impacts on students’ academics, social connections, civic engagement, and mental well-being through service. The program is in a pilot phase which started in July 2024 with five local education agencies (LEAs)—Garfield, Granite, Nebo, Sevier, and Mountain Heights Academy. In the program, high school students serve their communities and reflect on their impact.
The need
Utah’s public education system is built on principles of civic engagement, career readiness, and strong moral values (Utah Code 53E-2-301.1). While academic outcomes have been a key focus the last few decades, there is a growing need to strengthen students’ personal and community connections to support their academics and mental well-being.
Service in action
In a moving display of community spirit in Sevier School District, Cedar Ridge High School students stepped up to support a beloved teacher following the loss of her son. The young man, who had spent his time in the hospital battling cancer by assembling Lego sets, left behind a collection of unassembled sets that held deep meaning for his family. To honor him, students dedicated their time to meticulously completing them as well as rebuilding his favorite sets, turning grief into a beautiful act of remembrance. The family was so moved by this gesture that the completed creations were displayed at the funeral - a poignant tribute to the young man’s joyful spirit and the enduring bond between a teacher and her students. Stories like this remind us of the power of volunteerism in Utah.
Pilot program impact: Year 2
Pilot year 2: academic year 2025-2026
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participating students in 23 schools
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hours of service completed
$0
economic impact
Cumulative pilot impact
August 2024 - present
0
participating students in 23 schools
0
hours of service completed
$0
economic impact
Last updated 3/3/2026
What we expect to see
Stronger student commitment to volunteering and civic engagement.
Healthier youth with strong academic outcomes, social skills, and mental wellbeing.
Increased connection and collaboration between schools and their local communities.
Greater awareness of youth service among state leaders, educators, organizations and families.
Data-driven proof of concept for broader program adoption and implementation.
Integration of service as a core element of high school education in Utah
Rethinking service
Service goes beyond traditional volunteerism—it can take many forms based on students’ strengths and interests. The Volunteer for Good program offers meaningful, tailored opportunities to empower students to see themselves as change-makers in their communities. The Community Engagement Pathways framework helps connect students’ skills and goals with community needs.
Pilot launched, expanding soon
This program is being piloted in five LEAs: Garfield, Granite, Nebo, Sevier, and Mountain Heights Academy. While new LEAs and students outside of these LEAs can’t join yet, educators and students can stay informed by signing up for updates. Want to get started now? Look for places to volunteer or review the LEA Resources for strategies and best practices to integrate service into your education plans.