More than 100 youth volunteers across Liverpool (a suburb of Sydney) came together recently to provide service to disabled individuals and families in their local community. Youth from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints volunteered to buddy up and spend time with clients from Share Care, a not-for-profit organisation, providing temporary respite to families with a child or young person with a disability. Together they participated in activities including music, sports, and art workshops during the day-long program.
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This event was the first of its kind between Share Care and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It likely will not be the last. One youth participant, Tanya Fomai, said, “I am so happy we had a chance to do [this]. I feel like we were making a difference.”
Some members of the youth group (ages 12-18) were able to accommodate clients at their church facility in Wattle Grove while others were able to go out to Share Care Facilities in Heckenberg and Wakeley. This service was aimed to build stronger relationships between youth from both parties.
Youth and community members spent time with three different groups of clients. The youngest affected by a disability were eight years old and the oldest were eighteen years old. The workshops involved an egg and spoon race, musical chairs and creating with play dough.
Staff from Share Care who were involved with the project were pleased with the event. Both groups look forward to more joint events in the near future.