Fox Chapel Area High School junior Kelly Dayton doesn’t fancy herself a chef, but she never misses the chance to help prep a meal at Roots of Faith in Sharpsburg.
The 17-year-old pencils in one Thursday each month to plate home-cooked dinners and serve them to dozens of people who turn out for the ministry’s free Neighborhood Table.
“Getting involved in the community makes me feel good,” Dayton said. “I think socializing makes the people who come there feel good, too.”
Roots of Faith, which began 10 years ago as an outreach of Faith United Methodist Church in Fox Chapel, hosts a slew of programs to help “build community.” Among them are Sunday services, tax prep assistance, health screenings, pet pantries, interfaith studies, women’s brunches and legal aid.
“One of our core missions is to bridge the economic divide within the Fox Chapel Area School District,” executive director Kathleen Stanley said. “We strive to bring together volunteers from across the district to foster connection and collaboration.”
Increased teen volunteerism is helping Roots meet those goals.
Stanley said there’s a growing presence of high schoolers who seek out ways to help, whether it’s plating dinners at the Neighborhood Table, sorting warm clothes at the annual coat distribution or answering questions about computers and cell phones.
“We have a group called Technology Trained by Teens who come five or six times a year to help people set up their iPads or figure out how to use apps on their phones,” Stanley said. “The kids excel at tech and for some people, it can be frustrating when a virus pops up or they don’t know how to maybe even send an email.”
Volunteerism has benefited Roots, but it’s also been a perk to the teens.
Not only do they get community service hours for graduation, but they gain skills like public speaking and leadership that can help them post-high school.
“Our goal is also to provide students with a welcoming space where they can not only volunteer but explore creative ways to make a meaningful impact in their community,” Stanley said. “They can make new friends and I think it can make them feel happier and healthier.”
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For Dayton, the rewards have kept her coming back for nearly five years. She began as a member of Faith United, the members of which sponsor the dinner on a rotating basis with other community groups like Glenshaw Presbyterian, Adat Shalom and Aspinwall Presbyterian Church.
Now, Dayton said the third Thursday of every month is dedicated to serving dishes to more than 50 strangers.
“There’s usually a full room and it’s nice to talk to everyone,” she said.
Often, Roots will host a special guest during the drop-in event that might include social service resources, crafts for kids or health care professionals for “Ask a Doctor.”
Fox Chapel Area junior Mikayla Feder provides a table to promote positivity through painting.
The 16-year-old heads up the Sharpsburg Rocks program through which children and adults paint colorful stones to lay around town.
“Some have fun pictures and some have positive messages like ‘You rock this,’” Feder said. “People walking through town find them and I hope it makes them feel happy.”
Originally scattered along Main Street, the program has grown under Feder’s leadership. Brightly colored pebbles and stones adorn the entrance to Curley Park along Clay Street, where a Kindness Rock Garden welcomes guests.
She estimates her program has turned out 1,000 rocks since she took over in May.
“It makes you realize how important the little things can make a big impact,” she said. “You never know how it can motivate people.”
In addition to hosting painting sessions at the Neighborhood Table, Feder takes supplies to the nearby Sharpsburg Towers so residents there can get crafty.
She said people have taken to posting on Instagram when they find a rock – and some of the creations have traveled quite a way.
“We have had post pictures from Disney and Maryland,” Feder said. “I’m aiming at getting one from all 50 states.”
Stanley said involving teens at Roots has helped grow the group’s profile and reach more people who might need help.
“Involving students in volunteer work is vital because it teaches them the importance of taking an active role in solving community challenges,” she said. “We empower them to develop empathy and a sense of responsibility for those around them.
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“These experiences help them see firsthand how their efforts can make a difference and inspire them to become lifelong advocates for positive change.”