Have You Heard About the Church’s “Caring Summary”? How Young Adults Are Helping Care for Those in Need Around the World
From local acts of kindness to global humanitarian efforts, young adults are helping to spread love and hope everywhere.
Young adulthood can be a demanding time. When trying to balance your calling, friendships, work, school, and studies—adding service to the mix can seem nearly impossible. For that reason, the JustServe Club at Southern Virginia University (SVU) created a service corner to make it easier for students and the community to easily engage in service.
The service corner provides all the materials for young adults to crochet hats for babies in the hospital, create craft kits for a children’s organization, and collect clothing donations.
“One of the motivations for getting this service corner going is the phrase ‘Come and serve’ from Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf,” says Nick Daynes, president of the JustServe Club at SVU. “Organized service … is an opportunity for us to stay consecrated and look outside of ourselves.”
Every year, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members care for those in need around the globe. This is why the Church releases the annual Caring Summary, highlighting humanitarian efforts from the previous year. The summary catalogues donation dollars spent, service projects, volunteer hours, and powerful personal stories of those going about doing good in the Savior’s name, just like Nick—and you.
It’s easy to focus on the challenges and divisions in our world, which is why stories of love and service are more important than ever. In fact, the efforts chronicled in the 2024 Caring Summary are a testament to President Russell M. Nelson’s words: “The best is yet to come for those who spend their lives building up others.”
Take a look back at experiences caring for those in need and see how they’re a vital part of living the first and second great commandments (see Matthew 22:36–40). Your efforts, donations, love, and devotion help bring peace and hope amid strife through various Church initiatives and personal effort.
The Power of Serving the One
Last September, President Nelson marked his 100th birthday with a tender request for us to find and serve the one, just as Christ described in the parable of the lost sheep (see Luke 15:5–6). Young adults have been following President Nelson’s invitation by engaging in humanitarian work around the world. For instance, members from Kobe, Japan, and Nwinsa, Ghana, responded by helping restore ancient buildings and build medical infrastructure.
But service doesn’t always require grand gestures. In Layton, Utah, a young adult bought large plants for her family’s garden—right before she severely sprained her ankle. She knew she wouldn’t be able to plant them before a coming heat wave, so she reached out to her elders quorum president. He quickly organized a group to help plant for her.
“Though … digging a couple holes may seem small to other people, for me and my mom, it’s the kind of small thing that brings great things to pass—for my heart as much as for my home,” the sister said.
YSA Conferences: Connection through Service
From North America to Romania to the Philippines, young single adults gathered together in 2024 to uplift one another, strengthen their testimonies, and serve those in need.
“Participating in the YSA Conference was a truly transformative experience for me,” said Arina of Kurdistan, Iraq, describing her experience at the young single adult conference held in Jordan. Members and other Christians had gathered across Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon to be there. “Despite our different cultures and backgrounds, we shared a deep understanding, love, and willingness to support each other.”
Arina’s experience reveals the important truth that even the seemingly simple acts of love, support, and connection with others are an integral part of caring for those in need.
At a YSA Conference in Utah, USA, young single adults helped pack meals to fight hunger, prepare fleece blankets for homeless shelters, create emotional care kits, and more. “We love doing stuff that’s helpful for other people,” said Joseph, one of the attendees, as he assembled a fleece blanket with his friend. “We love serving people.”
How You Can Inspire Others to Care for Those in Need
Our ability to bring peace, strength, and light into the world grows as we do the work together, and as the 2024 Caring Summary shows, sometimes it’s the simple combination of love, connection, and compassion that creates the foundation of great acts of service.
So how can you turn these uplifting stories into actions that will help others experience the Savior’s peace? Here are a few ideas:
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Read the Caring Summary and share your favorite story with a friend.
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Use JustServe to find projects in your area.
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Pray often for people in need across the world.
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Donate needed items to a local drive, shelter, or charity.
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Do a small act of service for your roommate or family members.
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Take time to sit with a loved one and just listen, seeking to understand and empathize.
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Leave notes of gratitude for friends, family, or even strangers who serve you, like your mail carrier.
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Write about what you’ve learned about the second great commandment from reading the Caring Summary, and share it with your loved ones.
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Register for a young single adult conference in your area.
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Read through stories in the Caring Summary and then ask the Lord if there is something you can do to help someone in need in your life.
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Offer prayers of support for your community and those serving in your area.
Whatever effort you pick, and however you choose to serve, remember to serve with love.