With 25,000 volunteers spanning over 15 years, we are continuously moved by the endless stories of accomplishment, perseverance, and inspiration. Here are just some of the noteworthy stories of our volunteers, one for each of our 15 years, to represent the many who have been a part of this movement.
1995
Tim Chaney, The First Volunteer | As the very first volunteer, Tim, a student, traveled to New Delhi while CCS was called “Project India.” He worked in Mother Theresa’s Home, and his three-week experience volunteering abroad officially started the organization's journey to 25,000 volunteers.
1996
Marge Rubin, Age 63 | Marge first volunteered abroad with CCS in New Delhi, India as her 50th birthday gift to herself to fulfill a lifelong dream to volunteer abroad. Upon returning from India, Marge joined CCS as a full-time staff member in 1997. In total, she has volunteered abroad with CCS 12 times — Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Ghana, Guatemala, India (twice), Peru, Russia (twice), Tanzania, and Thailand. Marge, a mother of seven and grandmother of four, has also volunteered with the American Refugee Committee in Macedonia during the Kosovo crisis and at Ground Zero.
1998
Felipe Velez, High School Principal | Felipe decided to volunteer abroad because, though he had traveled to Latin America before, he wanted to experience something that was more service-oriented. He chose CCS because he felt strongly about the vision, mission, and values. Felipe choose to go to India because he felt an affinity toward the country's music and spiritual nature. He also wanted to visit the home country of Ghandi, one of his heroes. Now, Felipe, a self-determined “life-long CCS volunteer,” has volunteered in Peru, Tanzania, and is preparing to go to Brazil. Read an interview with Felipe.
2000
Pamela Jay-Paralikis | Pamela volunteered in Lima, Peru and worked in Villa El Salvador, the Nobel Peace Prize-nominated shantytown outside of the city. After volunteering in a day center for the elderly for four weeks, Pamela was so moved by the organization and the people it served that she decided to build a house in Villa El Salvador so she could be involved on a more regular basis. Living part time in Peru, and part time in the U.S., Pamela founded the Adopt a Grandparent organization which aims to raise money for senior citizens living in underserved communities around the world. She recruited fellow CCS alumni to work with the organization and has since volunteered with CCS in Peru twice, and once in Costa Rica.
2001
Alana Kennedy, Age 67 | A retired executive at Verizon, Alana has volunteered abroad for a total of almost 2 years over the course of 10 CCS programs — Brazil, China, Guatemala, Peru (3 times), South Africa, Tanzania, and Thailand. She first volunteered in Lima, Peru in 2001 and most recently returned to Lima in January 2010. Alana still has many connections within Corporate America, and uses them often to spread the word about the benefits of international volunteering and CCS. Watch a video of Alana.
2002
Carrie Brown, Author and Photographer | Carrie has written four novels, a collection of short stories, and a myriad of cookbooks. However, some of her most exciting projects were spurred by her volunteer abroad experience with CCS in Ghana. After returning, Carrie compiled a photo documentary of Ghana entitled, “Born On a Monday,” and later returned to Ghana for longer periods to teach photography to the youth. She was inspired to do more, and founded the Kekeli Organization, an initiative dedicated to teaching photography to Ghanaian children. Read more about Carrie.
2003
Aaron Schuman, CCS Videographer | Aaron has served as CCS’ dedicated videographer, responsible for recording and editing the majority of CCS’ videos. But his relationship with CCS didn’t start that way. Aaron began as a volunteer in Tanzania, taking a break from film school to embark on his first ever international journey. When he returned, Aaron produced a documentary of his trip for his senior thesis, and sent it to CCS as a gift. Little did he know that would be the beginning of a professional relationship that would send him on several CCS programs to produce dozens more videos, winning many accolades along the way. Read Aaron’s full story.
2004
Mimi O’Hagan, Age 80 | Mimi is an AARP member and retired CIA agent who has been committed to service throughout her life. It’s that same dedication and fearless spirit that propelled her to volunteer abroad with CCS in Thailand, Guatemala, Tanzania, and South Africa. She has also volunteered in Ethiopia with Habitat for Humanity, raised money for the Save the Children Foundation, and traveled with a delegation to Saudi Arabia with American Women for International Understanding. Whether giving her service to the U.S. government, or volunteering around the world, Mimi is dedicated to giving back and promoting international understanding.
2005
Chapin Cole, Alternative Break Leader | Chapin was always dedicated to the idea of engaging in service during spring break, and in 2005, she gathered a group of fellow University of California, San Diego students to volunteer in Salvador, Brazil during their break. But that was only the beginning. Chapin went on to lead and organize three more alternative break trips with CCS in Peru, China, and Costa first as a student, and then as the Community Service Coordinator for UCSD. She has even worked to establish a grant at her alma mater to promote lifelong service for alternative break participants.
2006
Thomas Jevon and Louise Richardson, A Volunteer Family | Thomas and his wife Louise wanted their children to experience what life was like for families around the world. They took their children aged 17, 15, and 12 to Dharamsala, India to volunteer abroad as their annual family vacation. Their story is one example of a rising number of parents interested in volunteering abroad as a family with CCS, who share the desire to teach children about the world by immersing them into a culture, and being of service to the community. Watch a video of the Jevon family in India.
2007
Ruth Beitler, Faculty at U.S. Military Academy at West Point | Ruth volunteered in Tanzania, leading a group of cadets to have experiences that will help them to become better global leaders. She felt that a service-learning experience would develop their cross-cultural competency and offer them a deep, meaningful connection to the local culture. Her experience has paved the way for hundreds of cadets and ROTC students to experience volunteering abroad. Read an interview with Ruth.
2008
Pattye Snyder, Age 67 | Despite having severe osteoarthritis and 6 surgeries in 9 years, Pattye is determined to travel the world. Since retiring as a teacher, Pattye has visited 5 continents and 33 countries and also followed her passion to take up nature photography. But she chose to celebrate her 65th birthday giving back to the country she loved…Tanzania. Pattye used her teaching skills at a detention center for boys and even earned the nickname of “Mama P” from her students. Read an interview with Pattye.
2009
Al Kwak | When his company re-organized his division, Al took advantage of a career break to volunteer in Tanzania for three months. New to volunteering abroad, he describes his overall experience as liberating and rewarding. After returning home to California, Al decided to become more involved in his community and joined a local mentoring program. Read an interview with Al.
2010
Kristin Rust | Kristin Rust is a 40-year-old working professional with 15 years of public relations and event management experience who, after volunteering in India, began to explore a transition to the non-profit sector. She volunteered in India and had such an eye-opening experience that she has dedicated the next year to volunteer abroad in as many countries as possible, and write a book on her insights into women’s lives around the world.
Inspired by these stories of profound change? Get started on your path to international volunteering.
