FACES OF CHANGE The People Behind the Impact As we reflect on Youth Volunteer Corps' journey this year, one truth stands out: our story is written by the people who bring it to life. This year ' s report celebrates the individuals who make transformation possible—our passionate youth volunteers, dedicated staff and board, and generous supporters Together, we ' ve built bridges across generations, brought communities closer, and empowered youth to be the change-makers our world needs.
YVC is experiencing remarkable momentum, driven by the growth and energy of our network. This year alone, 7,805 youth joined us in service, a 29% increase from last year We launched three new affiliates, reached the highest number of gold-level affiliates ever with 16, and implemented our first-ever affiliate peer fundraiser, Walk for Compassion. We also initiated an exciting new chapter with our strategic plan that began in September 2024 and launched the YVC Alumni Network to keep our young leaders connected and engaged.
Within these pages, you'll find stories of young leaders whose acts of service have touched lives in countless ways. You'll see the faces of those who stood up for what's right, lifted others, and found their paths to purpose. Their stories aren't just the heart of YVC; they're the driving force behind every milestone we ' ve reached this year.
Thank you for believing in the power of youth to change the world. With incredible momentum and your unwavering support, we ' re poised and ready for an even greater impact Here's to continuing our journey together, one story at a time
With gratitude,
Tracy Hale
Tracy Hale, CEO
Melanie Tucker, Board Chair
MelanieTucker
WhereChangeTakesRoot: YVCAffiliatesAcrosstheMap Airdrie,AB
Alexandria,LA
Alpena,MI
Anderson,SC
AnnArbor,MI
Billings,MT
Calgary,AB
Charleston,SC
Columbia,SC
Corvallis,OR
Danbury,CT
HamptonRoads,VA
Joplin,MO
Kampala,Uganda
KansasCity,KS/MO
Killeen,TX
Muskogee,OK
Philadelphia,PA
Plattsburg,MO
Racine,WI
Raleigh-Durham,NC
Reading,PA
Springfield,MO
St.Joseph,MO
St.Louis,MO
Staunton,VA
WestPalmBeach,FL
Wichita,KS
UGANDA Communitiesdefined bycompassion, selflessness,and respectforothers.
ThePowerofImpact: FacesBehindtheChange , Youth Thesenumberstellthestoryofhoweveryindividualeffort— everyfaceofchange cametogethertomakealasting differenceincommunitiesworldwide.It’sproofthatour collectiveimpactisunstoppablewhenweworktogether!
TeamingUpforChange: TheFaceBehindVolunteerFor15 TheVolunteerFor15program,adynamicpartnership betweenYouthVolunteerCorps(YVC)andPatrickMahomes' 15andtheMahomiesFoundation,inspiresyoungleadersto makearealdifference.WithPatrick’sexampleonandoffthe field,thisinitiativeencouragesyouthtocompleteatleast15 hoursofserviceannually,showingthepowerofoneperson’s impact.
In2024,1,972youthrosetothechallenge,completingover 80,446servicehours anincredible$2.6millioninvalueto theircommunities.Frombuildingplaygroundstotackling foodinsecurity,theseyoungvolunteersmakegamechangingplaysintheirneighborhoods,provingthatwhen youthstepup,everyonewins.
TheFacesLeadingtheWay: TheInternationalYouthAdvisoryBoard(IYAB)bringstogether passionateyoungleadersfromacrosstheYVCNetwork. ServingasYVC’ssoundingboard,IYABmembersmeet monthlytoshareperspectivesonyouthrecruitment, innovativeserviceprojects,leadershipdevelopment,and tacklingcurrentcommunityissues.Theirinfluenceextendsfar beyonddiscussion;IYABmembersshapekeyYVCinitiatives, likeYVCDay,annualyouthgrants,andmarketingstrategies.
Throughtheirroles,IYAByouthdevelopessentialleadership skills,gainvaluableexperience,andmakeatangible differencewithintheYVCNetworkandtheircommunities. ThesecommittedyoungleadersarenotonlyshapingYVC’s futurebutarealsobuildingalegacyofservicethatwillimpact communitiesforyearstocome.
2023-2024IYAB
Sydney,Airdrie,AB
Alexis,Airdrie,AB
Isabella,Anderson,SC
Joshua,Calgary,BC
Kingston,Calgary,BC
Ava,Charleston,SC
Shivani,Charleston,SC
Bryce,HamptonRoads,VA
Todrick,HamptonRoads,VA
Jamison,HamptonRoads,VA
Tanner,HamptonRoads,VA
Sadie,Joplin,MO
Prithvi,Joplin,MO
Stephen,Kampala,Uganda
Keaton,KansasCity,MO
Ash,Muskogee,OK
Asritha,Muskogee,OK
Pranav,Plymouth,MI
Rahul,Plymouth,MI
Shruti,Plymouth,MI
Ariyan,Reading,PA
Sindura,Reading,PA
Vanesa,Reading,PA
Elana,Springfield,MO
Isabella,Springfield,MO
Vishmi,St.Louis,MO
Genesis,St.Louis,MO
Katherine,St.Louis,MO
InternationalYouthAdvisoryBoard BeyondtheBorders: YVCAffiliatesJoiningForces YVCisacommunityofaffiliatesintheUnitedStates,Canada, andUgandawhotranscendborderstocollaborate,share,and inspireoneanother.YVCaffiliatescontinuouslyfindinnovative waystoworktogetherandamplifytheircollectiveimpact throughexchangingprojectideas,sharingsuccesses,and reflectingonservice-learninglessons.
Oneexampleofthisspiritofcollaborationistherecent discussionsbetweenYVCHamptonRoads,VA,andYVC Kampala,Uganda.Theseconversationsaimtobuilda partnershipwhereyouthvolunteerscanexchangeexperiences, collaborateonmeaningfulprojects,anddeepentheir understandingofculturaldiversity.
AnotherexampleisYVCofReading,PA’sCANstructureevent, whichinvitesparticipationfrommultipleaffiliates.Thisinitiative exemplifieshowYVCaffiliatesunitebehindasharedpurpose, showcasingthepowerofcollaborationtoachievemeaningful results.
Canadianaffiliates,knownfortheirinnovativeservicemodels, regularlyshareideaswithU.S.affiliates,creatingsynergiesto tacklesharedchallengesandexplorenewsolutions.
Together,theseeffortsstrengthenthebondsamongaffiliates andinspireyouthtoembraceglobalcitizenship,fosteringa lifetimeethicofserviceandamplifyingYVC’simpacton communitiesacrossthewo
BridgingGenerations: ConnectingHearts,InspiringChange Forthepast12years,YVCCalgary,AB,haspartneredwithBethany C b in
"Theyouthvolunteersaregreatto workwith.Ourteamandtheresidents greatlyappreciatethetimeandeffort theyouthgive.Theyoutharehelpful, good-natured,andwilling!"
Suzanne CoordinatorofVolunteerServices BethanyCalgary
S
theseyoungvolunteers,whoconsistentlystepuptosupportthe seniorresidentswithkindnessandenthusiasm.YVCvolunteersare pavingthewayforfuturegenerationstovalueandcherishseniors’ wisdomandexperiencesthroughtheircreativity,diligence,and compassion.
FacesofChange: Rudrani’sJourneyFromYouth ServicetoAlumniLeader Rudrani'sstoryexemplifiestheessenceofFacesofChange. ShebeganvolunteeringwithYVCinsixthgrade,whereher experiencesopenedhereyestocommunityissuesand helpedherfindhervoiceasanadvocateforchange. Reflectingonherjourney,sheshared,"IthinkIalways understoodthepartofYVC'smissionstatementabout buildingworkandlifeskills,butInevertrulygraspedthe 'lifetimeethicofservice'pieceuntiltoday."Yearsof volunteeringwithYVCpreparedhertospeakconfidentlyon socialjusticetopicsandinstilledinheracommitmentto servicethatcontinuestoshapeherlife.
NowasophomoreinSienaCollege’s BA/MDprogramwithaguaranteed spotatAlbanyMedicalCollege, RudraniwasdrawntoSiena’s uniqueemphasisonservice.Asa BonnerServiceLeader,shecarries forwardherpassionforgivingback, tellingus,“Serviceisstillwithme.” Thispastsummer,shereturned hometovolunteerasaYVCTeam LeaderwithYVCHamptonRoads, VA,saying,“I’vedoneYVCstuffevery summersince5thgrade,soIcannot imaginemyselfnotbeingpartof YVCthisyear.”
Rudrani’sjourneyisa powerfultestamentto YVC’simpactonyoung lives showinghowa lifetimeethicofservice canshapefuturesand empowerleaders.
FacesofChange: Ava’sPathfromVolunteerto FutureChangemaker Ava’sYVCjourneybeganin2019withasimplegoal:tomake adifference.Littledidsheknow,hertimewithYVC Charlestonwouldignitealifelongpassionforserviceand equipherwithinvaluableskills.Oneofherfirstandmost memorableexperienceswaspackingschoolsuppliesforthe FirstDayFestival,aprojectthatsetthetoneforheryearsof impact.FromservingonYVCCharleston’sYouthAdvisory BoardtojoiningYVC’sInternationalYouthAdvisoryBoard, Avahasgrownintoadedicatedleader,readytomakea lastingimpactwherevershegoes.
“YVChashelpedme learnanddevelop manyskillsthathave shapedwhoIam today.” Nowsteppingintoher freshmanyearattheCollege ofCharleston’sHonorsCollege andCharlestonFellows Program,Avaispursuing biochemistrywithplansto entermedicalordental school. Shecarriesforward theteamwork, leadership,and friendshipsYVC fostered.Withhereyes setonthefuture,Ava iseagertotake advantageofnew volunteer opportunitiesand continueherjourney ofgivingback.
Ava (right) with YVC Charleston, South Carolina Program Director, Jennifer
“YVC is an opportunity to get engaged with other youth to make a positive impact on the community by our service, which allows us to grow!” Bryce Youth Volunteer
YVC Hampton Roads, Virginia ReflectionsofChange: WordsfromOurYouth “
Volunteeringonprojectsaboutinjusticehastrulyopenedmy eyes.WhenIfirstvolunteeredattheBlackArchives,Ididn’t justlearnabouthistory—Igainedadeeperunderstandingof thefightagainstracismandthestrengthofthosewhostand upforchange,pastandpresent.Itmademerealizethatthese strugglesarestillalivetodayandthatIcanmakea difference.”
Lucas (right), Youth Volunteer & Bruce, YVC Kansas City, Missouri Assistant Program Director
FacesofCommunity: ImpactinAction YVCandHALOCreatingImpactTogether YouthVolunteerCorpsofKansasCity(YVCKC)partnered withHALOtocreateamemorable,joy-filledexperiencefor HALOyouthandfamiliesthisholidayseason.Throughthis partnership,YVCyouthvolunteersplayedacentralrolein organizingtheGivebackBoutique,whereHALOkidscould shopforclothingandgiftswithoutthestressofmoney.
GuidedbyYVCvolunteersaged11to18,theboutiqueoffered achanceforyouthtoselectoutfitsandpersonalitems,all lovinglypreparedbyvolunteerswhosorted,steamed,and taggeddonationstocreateavibrantshoppingexperience.
YVCvolunteersdidn’tjusthelpwithset-up;theywerethere withHALOfamiliesateverystep,helpingthemfindsizes, wrappinggifts,andprovidingawelcomingpresenceatthe HulaHoopregister.Theboutiquewasmorethanjusta shoppingexperience;itreflectedcommunity,care,and support,helpingHALOyouthfeelseenandcelebrated.
ThispartnershipbetweenHALOandYVCKCembodiesthe i i i h winghowthepeoplebehindthe calbusinesses,andcommunity ethertomakealastingimpact
FacesofCommunity: CleanWater,BrighterFutures ChampioningChange:YVCKampala'sCleanWater InitiativeforSt.Raphael'sCollege
YouthvolunteersfromYouthVolunteerCorpsKampala, Uganda,havetakenamonumentalsteptowardaddressing oneoftheircommunity'scriticalneeds:accesstosafe drinkingwater.Drivenbytheircommitmenttomakinga tangibledifference,thesevolunteersrecentlyinstalleda waterpurificationsystematSt.Raphael'sCollege,providing studentswithareliablesourceofcleanwaterforthefirst time.
Beforethisinitiative,studentsreliedonrainwatercollectedin tanksthatlackedpropertreatment,riskingtheirhealth. Installingthepurificationsystemwasasignificant achievement,supportedbydonationsandtechnical guidancefromFlexElectricalsandWaterSolutions,who workedcloselywithYVCyouthtobringthisprojecttolife.
YVCofKampalaplanstocontinueinstallingwater purificationsystemsinotherschoolsfacingsimilarstruggles.
INCOME & EXPENSES Income: $1,908,331* Expenses: $1,408,399
Net Income: $499,932*
*Includes $1 million pledge (Includes $666k pledge in revenue that will be received in future years)
& ASSETS Assets: $1,967,948 Liabilities: $315,312
$1,652,636
FacesofCommunity: StoriesofImpact BuildingaLegacyinRuralCommunities Whilemanyofourprogramsareinurbanareas,YVCis familiarwithruralcommunities.Poweredbyaninvestment fromtheW.K.KelloggFoundationin1990,YVCexpanded fromKansasCitytointerestedcommunitiesthroughoutthe USandCanada.Alpena,Michigan,wasoneofthese communities.
YVCAlpenabeganprogrammingin1992,makingitoneof theoldestprogramsinthenetwork.Inruralnorthern Michigan,Alpena(population10,100)hasengagednearly 7,000youthin108,000servicehoursinthepast20years.
“Having a YVC affiliate in Alpena is valuable to the community and the surrounding areas. It creates an opportunity for large projects and team building while instilling a passion to help others for our local youth at a young age. YVC also creates a fun way to incentivize youth by being a part of a larger organization. Service learning provides hands-on skill-building that helps guide our youth into the workforce and connects them to community leaders. The community supports our youth with recognition and gratitude, which builds character and citizenship. The inner growth within our youth is impressive, and their commitment is a testament to the impact YVC has.”
-AliciaHawley YVCAlpenaProgramDirector
FacesofCommunity: StoriesofImpact InspiringFutureEducators:YVC'sImpactatCoxHighSchool
YVCofHamptonRoadspartneredwithCoxHighSchool's VirginiaTeachersforTomorrowIIclass,guidingseniorsin creatingandleadingserviceprojectsforyoungerstudents. ThroughaseriesofworkshopsbeginninginSeptember2023, YVCinstructedstudentsonservice-learningessentials,from identifyingcommunityneedstoplanningimpactfulprojects andmanagingparticipants.ByJanuary,theseseniorsled130 fifthgradersin10projectsthatbenefitedlocalorganizations, atestamenttoYVC'sapproachtoservice.
TheimpactofYVC'sguidancewentbeyondtheclassroom: threeseniorsreceivedteachingcontractswithVirginiaBeach CityPublicSchools.Thispowerfuloutcomehighlightshow YVC'sprogramcultivatesessentiallifeskills,preparesyouth forprofessionalroles,andshapesthenextgenerationof communityleaders.
CatalystsforChange: StoriesofDonorImpact WithgeneroussupportfromtheBerksCounty CommunityFoundation,YVCReading,PA launchedtheYouthMentalHealthEducation Initiative,empoweringyouthtochampionmental healthawareness.Thisprogramengages15Youth MentalHealthAmbassadors(YMHAs)in specializedtrainingwiththeNationalAllianceon MentalIllness(NAMI),teachingvitaltopicssuchas mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention.
Throughthisinitiative,studentambassadorswork closelywithlocalpartnerstocreateayouth-led movement.ThisincludesQPRsuicideprevention training,acollaborativesuicidepreventionplay withtheYocumInstitute,an marketingcampaign.Byeq theseessentialprojects,Ber Foundationishelpingtorem createarippleofchangein acrossBerksCounty.
Initsfirstyearalone,theinitiative’s impactisclear:hundredsofstudents arenowtrainedinsuicideawareness, involvedinmentalhealth discussions,andactivelycontributing toasupportive,informedcommunity.
Frances A. Aitken Chief Operating Officer Chief Financial Officer
ChampioningChange: Kemi’sLeadershipforRacialEquity AsadedicatedmemberofYVCReading,Pennsylvania,Kemi hasbeeninstrumentalintheStandTogetherAgainstRacism (STAR)initiative.ThisinitiativeexemplifiesYVC'smissionto empoweryouthasagentsofchangeintheircommunities.
ThroughSTAR,Kemihasdedicatedover300hourstoeducating herpeersontheeffectsofracism,facilitatingopendialogues, andfosteringacultureofunderstandingandacceptance.She co-leadsaweeklySTARdiscussionclubatherhighschooland servesasaSTARStudentAmbassadoracrossBerksCounty, helpingestablishsimilarclubsinotherschools.Underher leadership,STARhasinitiatedstudent-ledfilmdiscussions, culturalawarenessevents,andinteractiveworkshops,reaching hundredsofyouthwithitsmessageofequityand understanding.Herleadershipinadvancingracialequityhas earnedhertheprestigiousPrincetonPrizeinRaceRelations.
Kemi’spassionforchangeextends beyondhercommunity.Shehas establishedaninternational partnershipwithastudentantiracismclubinSouthKoreaand launchedyouth-drivenglobal projectstotakeSTAR’smessage worldwide.
ThroughKemi'sworkandinitiatives likeSTAR,YVCisprovingthatyouth arecommittedtobuildingaworld whereunderstandingandjustice prevail.
CatalystsforChange: StoriesofDonorImpact YouthVolunteerCorpsisgratefulforthetransformative supportprovidedbytheSunderlandFoundation,whose granthasallowedustoexpandourreachandstrengthen ourinfrastructuretofosteryouth-drivencommunityimpact. Sunderland’smissiontoenhancecommunitiesthrough resilientspacesalignsseamlesslywithYVC’svisionof engagingyouthinservicethatmatters.Thisgranthas empoweredYVCaffiliatesnationwidetoimprovefacilities wherevolunteersgather,learn,andtakeaction.Eachproject completedwithSunderland’ssupportcreatesasafe, inspiringenvironmentwhereyouthcandevelopcriticalskills anddeepentheircommitmenttocommunityservice.
Fromrenovatingspacestoenhancing resourcesfortrainingandoutreach,the SunderlandFoundation'sgranthas becomeanessentialpartofYVC’s growth.AsYVCcontinuestocultivatethe nextgenerationofleaders,thissupport ensureswehavethespacesand resourcesnecessaryforyoungpeopleto experiencehands-onlearningand createlastingchange.
Kent Sunderland Chairman
RootsofChange: YouthVolunteersRocktheBlock FueledbytheSunderlandGrant,65youthvolunteersfromYVC Racine,WI,cametogetherto"RocktheBlock"andgiveVilla StreetinRacineavibrantmakeover.Overtheweek,volunteers workedtirelessly,pickinguptrash,landscaping,makingminor repairs,painting,andpowerwashing.Theytransformedover 20homes,St.Catherine'sHighSchool,theCOPHouse, Matranga'sFoodMart,andvariouscommunityspaces, creatingacleanerandmorewelcomingneighborhood.
Guidedbyprofessionaltradespeoplewhovolunteeredtheir expertise,theyouthlearnedvaluableskillswithhandtools andoutdoorequipmentwhiletakingprideintheirworkand community.KellyFragassi,executivedirectoroftheVolunteer CenterofRacineCounty,shared,"They'relearningtocarefor othersandtheirneighborhood."Inspiredbythe transformation,somelocalkidsjoinedtocontributetotheir community.
WithadditionalsupportfromHomeDepotandpartnerships with20localorganizations,RocktheBlockprovideda powerfulexperiencefortheyouthandtheresidentsalike, fosteringarenewedsenseofprideandconnection throughouttheneighborhood.
TheTeamBehindtheMission YouthVolunteerCorps’headquartersstaff arethededicatedforcespoweringthe organization,supportingandamplifyingthe impactmadebyyouthvolunteers.
Withasharedvisionandunwavering passion,theyworkbehindthescenesto createmeaningfulopportunities,inspire growth,andfosterconnectionsthatfuel positivechangeincommunitieseverywhere.
BetsyCalmer DirectorofMarketing
TracyHale CEO
MichaelVanWalleghem FundDevelopmentManager
DanetteSeffens AffiliateProgramsManager
TamaraMasterson Directorof Accounting&Administration
DavidBattey Founder
SarahMiller AffiliatePrograms&GrowthManager
LeahBoal VicePresidentofOperations
GuidingLights: TheLeadersBehindtheVision YVC’sNationalBoardofDirectorsconsistsof dedicatedleaderswhobringtheirexpertise, passion,andvisiontoguideourmission.
Stephanie O’Connell Vice Chair Washington, DC
Tomika Anderson-Smith San Francisco, CA
David Battey Founder Fairway, KS Youth Representative Calgary, Alberta
Christi Terefenko Affiliate Representative Wyomissing, PA Leawood, KS
y Overland Park, KS
Melanie Tucker Chair Shawnee, KS
Vicki Clark Secretary Memphis, TN
Tristen Caudle Treasurer Westwood, KS
Cathi Duchon Ann Arbor, MI
Holly Kulka New York, NY
“YVC profoundly impacts youth and the community by empowering young people to see the difference they can make. Many become more outgoing, empathetic, and generous, experiencing personal growth and a lasting commitment to giving back.”
Ethan Gabriel Program Director YVC Raleigh-Durham, NC
“New friendships, valuable lessons, unforgettable stories, and the people we ' ve helped — we are better because of YVC!” Alexis Youth Volunteer
YVC Airdrie, AB
Mady
Youth Volunteer
YVC Airdrie, AB
“This program is essential. When it comes to the psychosocial development of children, especially those at the age we target, it is imperative that the values of service, humility, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of all their interactions.”
Shiri Asangwe Program Director
Kansas City, MO
