First Step
Take part in opportunities of Christian service.
Begin to learn about organizations around you and the services that they provide. Fairview supports a number of great service providers like: Wheeler Mission, Gleaners, and Habitat for Humanity. Fairview also works with the students, staff, and families of IPS James W. Riley School (School 43), speak with Pastor Shawn or one of the Beyond the Walls team members to learn more.
Grab a family member or friend and sign up to volunteer for a few hours with a local organization. All the organizations linked above have information about how to volunteer/
Next Steps
Commit to serve on a regular basis. Become an advocate for those in need.
After finding an organization that is a good fit for you, commit to volunteering once a month or even once a week.
Service organizations can only do so much. Many problems like poverty, violence, and homelessness will only truly be addressed with systemic change. Learn how Presbyterians are actively participating in advocating for these changes through the PC(USA) Office for Public Witness.
Further Steps
Learn more about the root causes of need, inequality, and inequity. Develop ongoing relationships with people who you are serving, listen to them and hear their stories and experiences.
Do more research and reading about poverty, international relations, racism, violence, or other issues of concern. The PC(USA) Essential Toolkit for Service has a list of possible books.
Find an organization to volunteer with that provides an opportunity not just to help someone through a task, but gives you an opportunity to talk with the clients and hear their stories.