Sites
This year, we are excited to introduce to you a total of 8 sites across the country to choose from! They are organized into 4 family groups: New Beginnings, Access and Advocacy, Roots and Resilience, and Dreamers of Tomorrow.
New Beginnings
YOU FOUND ME
Nashville, TN
About: In Tennessee, homelessness is criminalized through laws like banning camping on public land. At this site, we’ll collaborate with organizations like Open Table Nashville, Room in the Inn, and The Contributor to provide critical support—offering food, shelter, and advocacy for the unhoused. Our goal is to raise awareness and make a tangible impact on the community.
Site Leaders: Riya Patel and Eugene Min
Participant Cost: $270
WELCOME, THIS IS A FARMHOUSE
Fort Collins, CO
About: Harvest Farm, a branch of the Denver Rescue Mission, is a faith-based rehabilitation program for men recovering from addiction. Located 40 miles north of Denver, it combines physical farm work with addiction education classes. At this site, participants will engage in daily farm life, from hands-on tasks to sharing meals and attending classes with the residents. This unique experience offers the chance to serve while connecting with individuals on their path to recovery, all set against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains.
Site Leaders: Holden Blanton and Esha Rashid
Participant Cost: $380
Access and Advocacy
GIVE A LITTLE BIT
Atlanta, GA
About: Georgia ranks amongst the bottom quartile for access to healthcare and healthcare quality in the United States. Diseases like HIV, heart disease, and diabetes afflict Atlanta, GA’s poorest populations. In Atlanta, we’ll gain hands-on experience working with organizations that emphasize community health like the Empowerment Resource Center and MEDShare International. Furthermore, we’ll speak with representatives at the Emory Rollins School of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control while touring their facilities to learn about healthcare in public service.
Site Leaders: Shayaan Essani
Participant Cost: $360
YOU’LL BE IN MY HEART
Baltimore, MD
About: At this site, participants will volunteer with Asylee Women Enterprise (AWE), an organization offering transitional housing, community, and legal support to refugees and asylum seekers. AWE provides holistic services to help individuals heal from trauma and rebuild their lives in Baltimore. Participants will assist with facilities work, engage with asylum seekers, and support refugees as they settle into the community. This experience also offers educational insights into the challenges refugees face in the U.S., fostering a deeper understanding and empathy for their journeys.
Site Leaders: Drew Woodward and Lauren Johnson
Participant Cost: $320
LEAN ON ME
Talladega, AL
About: At this site, participants will volunteer at the MGH Special Equestrians Arena, which provides therapeutic horse-riding programs for students at the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind (AIDB). Participants will assist with horse care, barn maintenance, and mentor children with sensory impairments in riding classes. Through this experience, they will learn about the impact of equine therapy on physical and emotional well-being, improving motor skills, communication, and self-esteem for children with disabilities.
Site Leaders: Emily Alvarado and Grecia Ayala
Participant Cost: $295
Roots and Resilience
SUNRISE
Tahlequah, OK
About: At this site, participants will work with Cherokee Elder Care, an organization dedicated to helping elderly Native Americans remain in their homes during their later years. Participants will engage in home visits, assist elderly Cherokee community members, and lead activities for them. They will also explore Cherokee history at the local cultural center, gaining a deeper understanding of the modern Cherokee experience and the important work of Cherokee Elder Care.
Site Leaders: Allison Westerbeek and Jonathan Lee
Participant Cost: $320
MR. BLUE SKY
Rock Hill, SC
About: At this site, participants will work with the Catawba Cultural Preservation Project, which focuses on preserving the culture and heritage of the Catawba Indian Nation. Participants will engage in various tasks, such as beautifying the Yehasuri Trail, planting indigenous trees, maintaining buildings, and working with elders and tribal youth. They will also learn about Catawba history and culture, gaining insight into the importance of protecting this heritage.
Site Leaders: Sophie Azar and Angelina Ma
Participant Cost: $300
COUNTING STARS
Corpus Christi, TX
About: At the Padre Island National Seashore, participants will work with the National Park Service to preserve this vital ecosystem, home to sea turtles and 380 bird species. The primary project will involve building a corral to protect endangered sea turtle nests from threats like human interference and predators. Participants will also clean a sea turtle lab and help remove trash from the beach. Weather permitting, they’ll camp on-site, experiencing the natural beauty of the area while contributing to its conservation.
Participant Cost: $350
Dreamers of Tomorrow
SUDDENLY I SEE
Pittsburgh, PA
About: At this site, participants will work with Gwen’s Girls in Pittsburgh, an organization focused on preventing female juvenile delinquency by empowering girls with critical life skills. Participants will engage with girls in the after-school program, help with cleaning and decorating, and lead new initiatives. By the end of the week, participants will gain insight into the challenges and triumphs that girls and women experience.
Site Leaders: Kelsey Kelley and Jenny Chu
Participant Cost: $300
BREAKAWAY
Savannah, GA
About: In Savannah, a city known for its Southern charm and historic beauty, poverty remains a stark reality, with 1 in 4 residents living in poverty and over 40% of children affected. Participants at this site will work with underprivileged youth through Operation Beacon, volunteering at a local middle school(not confirmed) and supporting Park Place Outreach, which provides services for at-risk youth. Throughout the week, participants will explore various approaches to breaking the cycle of poverty by empowering and uplifting young people in the community.
Site Leaders: Elizabeth Grimm and Olivia Kries
Participant Cost: $310