One year ago, Chad Losee, 18, from Draper, began a new endeavor. His desire to serve others led him to become the student program director for the Food and Care Coalition, a local organization that provides various services to low-income individuals and families.

Clients of the Food and Care Coalition walk through its doors and find solace from their troubles, Losee said. The world's stereotypes are left at the door and all are treated as equals.

One of the larger projects that the students organize in conjunction with Food and Care Coalition is a Family Fun Day.

Every September, clients, volunteers and employees of the Food and Care Coalition gather at Pioneer Park for a day of fun, food and sports.

The event offers a chance for people to come together, shed the titles and stereotypes that beset their day-to-day lives and spend time together as equals, Losee said.

"We are just people, brothers and sisters enjoying a moment in life," he added.

Losee and a team of volunteers have already begun initial planning and preparations for this September's four-hour gathering.

During spring and summer terms, students may volunteer through the Jacobsen service center to serve at the Food and Care Coalition.

Working through the Jacobsen Center enables students to become part of a larger group with a standing relationship with the coalition, Losee said.

"One of the things I've learned about the Food and Care Coalition is how big of a community effort it is," Losee said. "It's really incredible how many people help the Food and Care Coalition."

Students find the service rewarding in many ways.

"I felt I needed to give back to the university and the community in general," said Jocelyn Sparks, a graduate student from Canyon Country, Calif. "Serving others helps me think of others before myself."

The coalition not only serves members of the community, it helps them learn valuable skills.

"I am very impressed with the outreach and the focus on sustained development with the goal to help recipients in the long-term in addition to serving their immediate needs," said Jared Pearson, a student service coordinator at the Jacobsen Center from Salt Lake.

Students who would like to volunteer can e-mail Losee at fcc@byu.edu.



Copyright Brigham Young University 28 May 2003