Pay It Forward!
“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14
Connection, encouragement, and gratitude – helping others brings a unique sense of fulfillment. Community service, giving back to your neighbor, creates belonging and closeness with people on the other side of the street. Volunteering is the solution to loneliness and isolation.
When you serve others it helps…
- Strengthen relationships and make new friends
- Increase self-confidence
- Teach life and job skills
Assisting those within your local town comes with many benefits; however, the most important is learning the value of selflessness. Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” To put it simply, selflessness means to care for the needs of others.
At Echoing Hills, the individuals we serve help support others with a servant’s heart. Christopher, Campus Director of EchoingU in Southwest Ohio, explains, “Volunteering helps individuals to think outside of themselves and shows them how caring for the needs of others makes an impact. Also, it connects them to the greater community in tangible ways.” In places like the Dayton Foodbank, St. Vincent’s Women’s Shelter, and the Village at the Greene Skilled Nursing, “it gives them a chance to show the love of Christ and challenge themselves to learn new things.”
Learning new skills builds independence. Cori, Habilitation Coordinator at EchoingU of Northeast Ohio, describes, “Giving back to the community is an excellent way to strengthen relationships and experience personal growth. When they serve, students find a sense of purpose and fulfilment.” Through the Canton-Akron Foodbank, local thrift stores, and a prom boutique, Cori says, “It helps develop skills like teamwork, communication, leadership, and problem solving.” With contagious excitement, she describes, “Our students say, ‘It feels good to help others!”
Revolutionizing the lives of those we serve by teaching them to revolutionize the lives of others, Echoing Hills looks to change lives for the better. Appreciating all abilities, our ministry exists to demonstrate the love of Jesus.
https://www.wcsu.edu/community-engagement/benefits-of-volunteering/
https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/3-health-benefits-of-volunteering
https://getinvolved.ucsd.edu/service/resources/reasons.html
