One Heart, One Mind: YSAs Unite for Service and Connection

In September, over 850 young adults gathered in Flower Mound and Highland Village, Texas, for the “One Heart, One Mind” Dallas-Fort Worth YSA Conference, a weekend filled with service, workshops, and fun activities. Organized by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the event included nine service projects in partnership with seven local organizations that included:

• Assembling and decorating 750 busy books for children in doctor’s offices through Catholic Charities Fort Worth
• Writing 1,000 encouraging notes for pediatric patients at Cook Children’s Hospital
• Creating 50 letters and paracord lanyards for deployed troops, veterans, and first responders with Operation Gratitude
• Tying 100 fleece blankets for children at Dallas Children’s Hospital
• Preparing 300 sack lunches and 100 food boxes for those in need, in partnership with the Salvation Army
• Sewing 70 reusable T-shirt grocery bags for Christ’s Haven’s food pantry
• Assembling 100 hygiene kits for newly resettled refugees through Action Alliance International

In addition to service, the conference featured a variety of uplifting workshops, fun social activities, and culminated in a devotional with Brother Bradley R. Wilcox. The weekend began with a lively evening at Circle R Ranch, featuring dinner, a rodeo, and unique activities such as armadillo races and country dancing.

Participants appreciated the chance to give back to the community while also connecting with others. “It was powerful to be part of such a big team of people working together. We could never have done it all without that big of a group, and we were able to accomplish so much together,” said Ian Bell of Carrollton.

Rebekah Blake, also from Carrollton, added, “I loved becoming more familiar with organizations in the area, and fulfilling a variety of needs for our community. It’s a privilege to be able to serve.”

The event highlighted the significance of service, unity, and spiritual growth for young single adults across the Dallas-Fort Worth area.