Faith – Purpose – Wellness
Building A World Where Our Younger Generations Feel Seen, Supported, and Empowered.
Understanding the Challenges
Adolescence and young adulthood can be some of the most challenging seasons of life. Many young people today face overwhelming pressures, emotional uncertainty, social challenges, and questions about their purpose.
Who We Are
Through Service We Grow exists to help them navigate these challenges with clarity, courage, and hope.
Our Approach
Our mission is to guide adolescents and young adults toward a life of balance, wellness, and service. By integrating holistic wellness practices with faith-centered reflection, we help young people learn how to understand their thoughts, manage their emotions, strengthen their relationships, and discover the unique mission placed before them.
The Impact of Service
When young people learn to grow through service, they begin to see their lives not only as a journey of personal success but also as an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the world around them.
Why This Work Matters
An increasing number of adolescents and young adults struggle with anxiety, depression, social isolation, and uncertainty about their future. While therapy and counseling are essential resources, young people often need additional tools to help them navigate the space between those sessions.
Through Service We Grow provides guidance, reflection, and practical tools that empower young people to:
- Understand Their Thoughts and Emotions
- Develop Healthy Routines and Life Habits
- Strengthen Their Sense of Identity and Purpose
- Build Meaningful Relationships
- Cultivate Resilience Through Faith and Service
Our goal is not simply to help young people cope with challenges but to help them grow into thoughtful, compassionate leaders who recognize the value of serving others.
Meet Wellness Advocate, David J. Heavner EdD, LPC, NCC
Background & Roots
The first thing Dave will tell you when you meet him is that he was born and raised in Pittsburgh! All of his academic accomplishments, from his high school diploma to his graduate degrees, were earned at institutions within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
For the past 30 years, he has dedicated his career to serving students in the public education system of Western Pennsylvania. He has had the honor of being the following:
- A Social Studies Teacher
- A School Counselor at Both the Middle and High School Levels
- A Varsity Head Football Coach
- A Licensed Professional Counselor
A Broader Perspective
Western Pennsylvania is a place rich with tradition, shaped by resilience, and grounded in a deep sense of identity. While every region has its own personality, Dave has learned that the struggles facing young people in Western Pennsylvania are not all that different from those experienced across our country.
Regardless of location, many adolescents and young adults today are facing overwhelming pressure, isolation, and uncertainty.
A Message to Those Seeking Help
Through Service We Grow was created for the young person who may be feeling anxious, depressed, disconnected, or simply lost. If you are reading this page, you’re likely searching for answers, for relief, and for something deeper to hold onto.
Dave wants you to know this: you are not alone in how you feel, and there is a way forward!