Community Service

There are a wide range of benefits realized from serving worthy organizations in the community. Many area schools emphasize community service as an integral part of education.

Community service can also be a means of developing a positive civic attitude and reversing destructive behavior patterns among youth. Many court systems  require it as a remedial measure.

A consistent favorite in Utah County for both voluntary and mandated community service is the Krishna Temple.  Since 1995 Vaibhavi has supervised hundreds individuals and groups who have fixed fences, fed and trained llamas, cared for cows, mowed lawns, served food, cleaned and cooked. Youth have benefitted in some of the following ways:

  • Learned how to work with animals, brushing/feeding/cleaning
  • Seen how a farm/ranch operates
  • Landscaped/pasture managed/xeriscaped
  • Planted trees, cleared weeds
  • Constructed festival facilities like booths and animal obstacle courses
  • Attended booths at festivals and cultural events
  • Set up for large events and parades
  • Cleaned, prepared and served food.

They learn :

  • Accountability
  • Emotion/impulse self-management
  • Problem solving
  • How to work together to get things done
  • How to get along with others
  • How to follow directions and respect authority
  • How to use tools
  • What they like to do and what they are good at

A Daily Herald article mentioned these volunteers at the 2007 Holi Festival :

“Fifteen members of the Journey Impact Ranch, a work program for Utah juveniles in trouble with the law, helped keep the buffet flowing for hours. Their supervisor, Lucas Kane, said the program has brought youth to volunteer at the temple at least once a week for the past three years as a way of helping the teens work off court-ordered community service.

“This gives them an opportunity to see new things while they work here, and work with animals,” Kane said, noting the youth also help care for the temple’s herd of llamas.”

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