Compiled by Dana Davis
Reporter, Carbon Count Comet
A national community service initiative has found its way to Carbon County, bringing with it a wide range of opportunities for residents to give back and get involved. JustServe, a free online platform that connects volunteers with local service projects, recently launched in Rawlins and is aiming to grow throughout the surrounding communities, including Hanna, Saratoga, Encampment, and Sinclair.
JustServe was created to make it easier for individuals and families to find meaningful ways to serve in their own neighborhoods. Organizations can submit their volunteer needs to the JustServe website or app, and community members can browse listings based on their interests, skills, and location. Whether someone has an afternoon to give or a regular window each week, there are options for everyone. The platform is open to anyone, regardless of background, and focuses on genuine service, discouraging political, advocacy-focused, or for-profit activity.
Several local organizations are already listed on JustServe, offering projects that range in scope and time commitment. These include the Wyoming Frontier Prison Museum, Saratoga Museum, City of Rawlins, Rawlins Downtown Development Authority, Saratoga Library, Sinclair Baptist Church for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), Carbon County Museum, St. Vincent DePaul, Uplift, Rawlins Library, and Carbon County Senior Centers.
Although JustServe is new to the area, similar efforts in other communities have proven successful. The hope is to replicate that success in Carbon County by making it easier for people to connect with causes they care about. Volunteering doesn’t just help the community, it also benefits the volunteer. Research from the University of British Columbia and Harvard University shows that people who volunteer regularly experience higher levels of physical activity, a greater sense of purpose, and reduced loneliness and depression. Volunteers who gave at least 100 hours a year also had a lower risk of early mortality and fewer physical limitations over time.
Volunteering has shown particular benefits for teenagers. Studies suggest that young people who engage in service, especially when helping strangers, develop stronger self-esteem, a greater sense of gratitude and hope, and are less likely to engage in aggressive or delinquent behavior. Researchers say that serving strangers involves a higher level of empathy and commitment, helping teens feel more connected and confident in their roles in the community.
To get started, volunteers can visit JustServe.org or download the JustServe app. Signing up requires only a few steps, and once registered, users can search for local projects that match their interests and availability. Organizations looking to recruit volunteers can also visit the site, submit project details, and once approved, have their opportunities posted for others to see.
For more information or help getting involved, contact local JustServe representative Sharon James at 307-321-1012 or Aspenalley@JustServe.org.
