Service Projects for Families

A black marble globe with the hands of a white child pushing on it, superimposed with a quotation "You get up in the morning, you brush your teeth, and you help another human being."

From a very young age, children can learn and grow through doing service. And so can their parents and caregivers.

When children notice something unfair, that is a perfect time to look together for an opportunity to help. A fundraising project your child can help plan and implement may be the simplest way to serve together. Direct service opportunities for children are more challenging to arrange, but very rewarding and not impossible; find some resources below.

A powerfully transformative service opportunity is one that allows you and your child to get to know people who are struggling to survive in conditions that call for respect.

Find a Faith in Action project to do at home. The UUA's Tapestry of Faith curricula emphasize Faith in Action for all ages, with a service or justice project suggested in every session. Many are easily adaptable for home. On the Tapestry of Faith "Search" page, enter "Faith in Action" in the "Title Keyword" search field. Select the age group "Children."

Read the UUA Toolkit book, Creating Justice Together. It offers dozens of transformative ways a family can help locally and globally. The book suggests a three-phase process: inquiry and planning beforehand, doing the project, and reflection afterward. "If you embrace a responsibility and seek opportunities to help guide the development of a young person's faith, spirit, and character, you will find this book both relevant and useful."

Explore meaningful family volunteer work. These organizations' websites suggest opportunities with useful roles for people of all ages:

Check out the 2014, 2016, and 2017 30 Days of Love Activity Calendars for Families! The UUA Side with Love campaign produces an annual activity calendar with concrete, timely, daily suggestions for age-appropriate learning, helping, and/or advocacy family members can do together.

About the Author

Lifespan Faith Engagement

The Lifespan Faith Engagement office of the Unitarian Universalist Association puts a justice seeking, radically inclusive faith in action by creating experiences for meaning-making and faithful living, accompanying people to make a home in our faith, and advocating for youth engagement and lifes...

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Youth and children picking up trash alongside a canal.

Hands on, for environmental justice! All ages can help tend a community garden or participate in a local park clean-up. Find USDA People's Gardens near you.

Creating Justice Together

By Susan Dana Lawrence

From inSpirit: The UU Book and Gift Shop

This book belongs to the Tapestry of Faith Toolkit Series provided by the UUA Faith Development Office. Toolkit Books provide background knowledge, inspiration, and practical guidance to program and lead UU faith development and to help us explore and live our faith in our congregations,...

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