Volunteering Is a Constant in Both Ordinary and Extraordinary Times
As we celebrate Global Volunteer Month, we’re celebrating the power of people. In recent years, the backdrop on which this month has taken place has presented some of the most challenging times in our history. This year, we’re facing the COVID-19 pandemic, a call for social justice and now the spotlight on the war in Ukraine.
Yet in the worst of times, we also see the best in humanity. We see it through volunteers. Chefs from around the world racing to Ukraine’s borders to cook. Teachers, as refugees themselves, conducting classes in bomb shelters. Polish mothers leaving strollers on train station platforms for arriving Ukrainian families. People opening up their homes to strangers, and to their pets too! And aid donations – measured in literal tons – coming in from around the planet.
Feeding, educating, supporting, welcoming and donating. In extraordinary times and in ordinary times, we can see the best of people. We can see the power of people and the strength of our communities.
It brings me great hope to see this kind of engagement in times of crisis. But it also brings me hope to know this work happens all the time, in countries in every corner of the world, no matter the circumstances. And at Points of Light, we see them every day.
We see it in Carl Wheeler. The 87-year-old former math teacher is spending his retirement tutoring students at Kapiolani Community College in Honolulu. He also volunteers at his local library, recording books and other materials for his housebound neighbors.
We see it in June Wang. This California teenager created a 360-person volunteer network aimed at tacking inequity in health care. So far, the group has impacted more than 100,000 individuals and raised thousands of dollars to support mental health and other health-related causes.
We see it in Hassan Al Khawam. As a teenager, he fled Syria for Northern Ireland. Today, he helps other refugees, welcoming them to the country with clinics on how to find housing and employment, offering translation services and helping them meet members of the community.
As these stories illustrate, the best in humanity is all around us.
Points of Light’s recently-released global civic engagement research looked at civic engagement in four countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, Brazil and India. Across all four nations, volunteering, using your voice and listening and learning were cited as among the most important activities.
And it makes sense. We all want to contribute to a vibrant society where people have agency, promote democracy and participate in the world around them. Global Volunteer Month is about our collective participation and celebrating its importance.
This Global Volunteer Month, how will you celebrate volunteers – or better yet – volunteer to help those around you? The need is constant and opportunities exist everywhere. And whether your idea is large or small, know that every action matters, and no act is too small to make a difference.
You have the power to have an impact, and the impact is your power.
Points of Light Affiliate and Corporate Partner Join Forces to Aid in the Ukraine Crisis
Imagine, coming home from your workday, overhearing young children talking about becoming refugees – describing having to leave the homes they’ve always known because of bombings.
This is an experience Agnieszka Lissowska-Lewkowicz vividly remembers, and it’s one of the things that drives her to find meaningful ways to support the more than 2 million Ukrainian refugees in Poland.
Her organization has been able to help connect corporate volunteers with a few hundred refugees so far.
. It is, by far, the most pressing need because funding allows those on the ground to put much-needed expertise and staffing in place to meet emergent needs in real time. For example, $18,000 can fund a full-time staff person at these organizations for an entire year.
, the Points of Light affiliate in Poland, Lissowska-Lewkowicz has been working to coordinate support between local nonprofit organizations, like Malteser Ukraine, and businesses in the region including Raytheon, a Points of Light corporate partner. The company has
8,000 employees in Poland, its largest site outside of North America.
Raytheon’s overarching goal is to understand the needs and work with trusted organizations to coordinate employee volunteers and assist financially. Its teams are procuring essential items for distribution to refugees through the Polish government. Some are even helping by housing refugees.
In uncertain times, knowing that nonprofits in the region are working with civic-minded companies to aid refugees and others in need provides a sense of hope. There are also things you can do to help.
3 Ways You Can Support Ukraine Today
Donate. Cash is the single most effective way you can support Ukrainian relief. When you donate through Points of Light, we ensure that your gift directly reaches our affiliates around Ukraine so they can support refugees and mobilize other humanitarian efforts.
Do not self-deploy. It’s understandable that seeing harrowing images of the suffering in and around Ukraine might prompt you to feel compelled to take action. Wait until experts in the region say the time is right. Otherwise, what is intended to be helpful could actually become a hindrance – or worse – a danger.
Get involved with an organization serving refugees in your own community. Points of Light can connect you with a worldwide network of affiliates that are in close touch with the specialized needs around Ukraine relief. Find an organization near you so you can be in touch and prepared to act when the time comes.
Points of Light operates with a network of innovative volunteer-mobilizing organizations who serve more than 177 affiliates across 38 countries around the world. Together we are inspiring, equipping and mobilizing more people to use their time, talent, voice and resources to create positive change in their communities. Learn more about our Global Network.
Fostering True Connection in Local Communities With Activate Good
A Points of Light Global Network Affiliate since 2013, Activate Good believes we all have a responsibility to work towards a better world. That’s why the organization works tirelessly to improve the community through people-powered projects for good.
Activate Good first chose to partner with Points of Light in order to be able to connect with like-minded leaders and changemakers, sharing lessons learned and expertise gathered along the way.
Founded in 2005, Activate Good was inspired by a road trip. Friends Amber Smith and Heather Leah set out to perform random acts of kindness and ended up volunteering in over 20 states. Along the way, the pair discovered that many they met were interested in volunteering but didn’t know how to get started. At the same time, nonprofits had a consistent need for more volunteers, and so Activate Good was born.
The nonprofit
strives to mobilize volunteers of all ages, skill-sets and backgrounds to improve the community through volunteer service and high-impact projects. Its volunteer community has 35,000+ volunteers and is continually growing. The Activate Good team also educates the community on local issues and causes to help create and equip an informed, inspired community of helpers, action-takers and do-gooders.
Activate Good’s Senior Programs Manager, Rose Thompson, shares a favorite memory that has stuck with the team for years. It was a moment that took place during a large-scale corporate service project prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“For this project, volunteers had put together furniture and other items for individuals and families who were transitioning out of homelessness and then outfitted apartments by moving the items in, decorating them and much more. It was an elaborate project for our small but mighty team to plan and was carried out with such care by our staff and teams of volunteers,” shared Rose.
“We got to witness the reactions of these folks as they opened the doors to their new homes and stepped inside them for the first time. A kind man nicknamed Smiley, who had been unhoused for years, was moved to tears as he sat down at the table in his new apartment and told us that he was so excited to simply have his very own coffee mug, a table and chairs where he could have a cup of coffee with his adult son that was coming to visit him.”
The volunteers and staff were all moved to tears as Smiley opened up about his life and sweetly hugged each one of them. These types of powerful impacts and the incredible human connection that comes as a result is what continually inspires the work being done at Activate Good.
The team recognizes the importance of civic engagement, especially at a time when our world is filled with division and plagued by the seemingly never ending ripple effect of the pandemic. They encourage individuals and other organizations to be a bridge by engaging with communities and working to better understand those they’re interacting with and the issues they face. Taking this route will allow them to best meet rising needs in a way that is most beneficial.
Civic engagement also helps individuals to develop personally and relationally, all while cultivating and driving social change.
Rose encourages, “There are many things that you can do to make an impact in your community. Everyone has the ability to lend support, the ability to take action for causes that they care about and the power to lead. Your civic engagement could be anything from engaging with your neighbors
about local issues and how to improve your community… to getting involved in local government… to voting, volunteering, and so much more. Your actions – both small and large – can spark change!”
To learn more about Activate Good and the work they’re doing in com
6 Ways to Activate Points of Light’s Civic Circle Around Ukraine Relief
As Ukrainian refugees evacuate their homeland and begin to build new lives in new countries, you can support them. We’ve gathered a collection of ways for you to activate
Cash donations offer flexibility for organizations to respond in real time to people’s developing needs. Do your research first so you can be sure that the organization you plan to support is legitimate. Points of Light has established the
is happening all April long. Now is a great time to register to volunteer, but please do not self-deploy. There is limited access around humanitarian relief efforts right now. Working in the aftermath can be both dangerous and complex. It’s safest to wait until the impacted community has requested support, then coordinate with a vetted organization. Find a
, where we share updates and valuable information from our affiliates and other organizations about ways to support Ukraine. You can also follow first responders that are taking action to learn about the most pressing needs. Be intentional to watch media that cover both conservative and liberal views.
Through signing a petition, creating artwork with a statement or even staying silent, you can make your voice heard. And of course, you can share on your own social media network to raise awareness about long-term recovery needs. Just be careful to choose trustworthy sources to ensure you’re spreading accurate information. Check out our issue of
Your dollars can have an impact. You can choose to do business with companies supporting relief efforts in and around Ukraine with proceeds from your purchases. Participate in your own
by searching for companies that are selling products and services that you need. Some companies that are doing this work include Epic Games, maker of the popular video game, Fortnite. The company is giving away all proceeds from the game through April 3. Video game console maker Xbox has joined their effort by donating their net proceeds as well. Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation launched the ‘Meta History: Museum of War’ collection, a series of NFTs that support the war effort in Ukraine. Grammarly, an English language app, is donating $5 million to organizations and funds supporting the people of Ukraine.
There is a growing movement in the corporate sector toward “doing well by doing good,” This ideal could look like giving to humanitarian relief efforts through employee matching, which not only supports the cause but amplifies employee donations. Find out if your company is supporting Ukraine through donations and matching or other means.
Some companies that are doing this type of work include:
Bank of America, which pledged to donate $1 million to the people of Ukraine via five groups: the Red Cross and Red Crescent network in Ukraine and the region, World Central Kitchen, Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere, International Medical Corps and Project Hope. The bank also said it would match employee donations to support the relief effort.
KPMG Chair and CEO, Paul Knopp, shared via Twitter, “At KPMG we stand with and support the people of Ukraine, condemning violent attacks by the Russian givernment [sic]. Today, KPMG is making an initial $250,000 donation to GlobalGiving’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund and encouraging our partners and professionals to donate as well.”
Whether you activate all six elements of the Civic Circle or choose just one, you’re exercising your civic power. Which will you choose? Tag us on
Points of Light operates with a network of innovative volunteer-mobilizing organizations who serve more than 177 affiliates across 38 countries around the world. Together we are inspiring, equipping and mobilizing more people to use their time, talent, voice and resources to create positive change in their communities. Learn more about our Global Network.
Lowe’s Grant Recipient Creates More Culturally Responsive School Campus
We sat down with Rachel Axelrad, one of the winners of the Lowe’s
Hometowns Partnership, to learn about her experiences as a grant recipient and how the project impacted not only her school but the community at large. As a full-time teacher, the project was a big undertaking for Rachel, and she discusses how Points of Light and
provided critical support and expertise to her team of parents and teachers.
T
ell
us
a little about yourself and how the project got started
.
It is my
eighth
year teaching at Hillcrest Elementary, a public school in the Crenshaw District of Los Angeles
. Our school used to have murals, and the school district had some funding to redo them. We were offered two color choices: tan with brown borders or tan with gray borders. Those are not welcoming or inspiring colors! We believe that spaces define how you feel and act. Our new space needed to be warm, safe, welcoming, bright
,
and happy.
We wanted to use the murals as teaching points and to reflect our community. Our school is around 50% Latinx and 50% Black and
is
located in a historically Black neighborhood of Los Angeles. How wonderful it would be to have meaningful, intentional murals that included portraits of historical people of color who were changemakers.
Our team began fundraising and came across the Lowe’s
Hometowns grant. We were so fortunate to win $100,000
,
because that goes a long way.
The results are stunning and must have had a strong impact on the students. How did your colleagues react?
The final product is even more impactful on us, the staff. In our society, so many things about teaching are hard, especially in public school settings. I enjoy being in such a beautiful space and being able to use the murals as a teaching opportunity. When we started Black History Month, I printed pictures of murals and asked my students who they knew and who they did not know. At this point, I have taught
about
most of the individuals commemorated in our murals.
How daunting was it to take on a project like
this
during
a pandemic
,
while also tackling all the challenges teachers
were facing
?
Honestly, I did not understand what I was getting into, and the size of the project was extremely tough on my work-life balance. When I first found out about our award, I was so excited. Quickly that turned into feeling overwhelmed because I have a full-time job, and this project was a second full-time job.
Luckily, Lowe’s and Points of Light connected me to a Points of Light affiliate, LA Works, and they took over a lot of the coordination and planning pieces. I could not have done what LA Works did with this project. They had a way of making this come to fruition by helping with all the communications and paperwork
,
along with sourcing equipment and finding skilled labor. It was a big relief that I was not left alone. They saved the day!
How does this project inspire the students to believe
that
they have the power to create change?
Our kids got to see change in action. They were witnesses to us taking agency over our situation. We did not like what we saw, so we made it better as a school community.
Points of Light’s Civic Circle shows how making a difference can go beyond traditional volunteering.
Intentional p
urchases, thoughtful donations, employment choices and posts on social media can all have an impact on their community.
Yes, I agree with you. One person who was as integral as LA Works was one of our muralists
,
Erin. She had never done anything like
this
before, but she felt like she needed to do this and help us. She was a full partner in emailing, scheduling, planning
,
and budgeting. That was how she gave her time and energy to support very deserving students.
So many people want to do good, and skilled volunteers like Erin are critical. Also, we needed people to give us funding. Lowes’ donation was essential. Companies come in with the best of intentions, but they often engageat the community and very rarelywith the community. This was the first time we felt that everyone was working with us and letting us make decisions since we knew what would be best for our school.
What would you say to a donor considering making a gift to Points of Light and our affiliate network?
I am Jewish, and in my faith, we believe in levels of charity. The highest form of charity is giving without being asked and helping someone you do not know. By doing so, you are showing respect and trust that the donation will be used for the highest and best purpose. State funding is not always attuned to our needs. If someone gives to Points of Light, and then Points of Light helps us, that person can know that the resources are being used effectively and in tangible ways that are meaningful to our community. That type of funding and support is transformative.
HandsOn London and HandsOn Greenville Excel in Capacity Building During the COVID-19 Pandemic
comprises 177 innovative volunteer-mobilizing organizations across 38 countries around the world. Day in and day out, these organizations are actively responding to the planet’s toughest conflicts.
While the COVID-19 pandemic left nonprofits across the globe short of resources, many developed new services, programming or partnerships in response. In fact, our Affiliate Annual Report showed that 91% of affiliates took this route in 2020 and 2021, pivoting in the face of immense challenge and finding ways to continue to support their communities.
made great strides in supporting two strands of work responding to community needs around the pandemic. The first was using grant funding to support capacity-building for a Westminster-based food bank.
Over the course of two months, 1,300 volunteer applications and 6,000 inquiries were processed. Six administrative volunteers were trained and worked tirelessly to deliver food parcels and handle the flow of volunteers.
HandsOn London’s second initiative involved developing a remote entertainment program for older people within two separate organizational projects. Not only did the team successfully achieve this outcome, they expanded their reach to two additional groups, or four weekly sessions.
One such group is The Crusoe Club, a club for visually impaired older members of the community. The group usually meets every Friday in person and has a hot meal prepared for them by volunteers. They play games, socialize, have a sing-a-long and even take part in a yoga class. However, these activities had to be put on hold during the pandemic, making this group more isolated than ever before. HandsOn London quickly pulled together volunteers to organize a weekly virtual video call, featuring activities like music quizzes and trivia games.
The calls were so successful that even after The Crusoe Club was able to start gathering in person again, they opted to keep the additional weekly virtual meeting.
“You are all magic. We are not worrying about Crusoe Club now, because you and your team are keeping them well connected.” – Tina Johnston, Coordinator, Positive Aging at Blackfriars Settlement
) also stepped up to the plate during the stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic. They utilized funding to expand existing programs and create new ones that responded to pandemic-specific needs.
Through the HandsOn Greenville 2020 Series and the COVID-19 Relief/Response program, the organization activated over 1,600 volunteers who completed almost 2,000 hours of service through food drives, educational workshops, back-to-school supply drives and virtual and in-person volunteer opportunities.
New programs that were supported with the aid of Points of Light and Center for Disaster
Philanthropy funds included supporting food banks and supplying direct-service agencies with essentials like first-aid kits and other household products. An essential school supply drive was another big success.
And the 2-1-1 Greenville Community Resource Line was also established, connecting people with the services available to address their needs. Through fielding these calls, HandsOn Greenville was able to learn firsthand what and where the highest number of people in need were living throughout the county. One-thousand-nine-hundred-twenty individuals and families were able to hear a reassuring voice on the other end of a phone call in moments of crisis, connecting them to critical services.
Both organizations’ work was done with new and ever-changing protocols, like contactless collection drives and mask-mandatory volunteer events. Learning new technology has been a challenge for many throughout the pandemic, but volunteers, communities and organizations are walking away with new knowledge and skills that could propel them for years to come.
Points of Light is proud of HandsOn London, HandsOn Greenville and all of our global affiliates for demonstrating what capacity building looks like in trying times. It’s clear that nonprofits around the world have ample opportunity to serve their communities, an
d we salute all who put forth effort and make great strides as a result.
Lowe’s: Rejuvenation and Impact in America’s Small Towns
When it comes to changemaking, corporations often wield the power to impact communities. And when put into thoughtful, strategic initiatives, this power has the potential to make a world of difference.
In 2021, as part of the company’s centennial celebration, Lowe’s partnered with Points of Light to help resource 100 community impact projects across the United States. The program became known as
100 Hometowns
, and it ultimately helped 1.3 million people across 36 states from coast to coast.
Now, as part of its goal to make homes better for all, Lowe’s is making its largest-ever commitment to give back to the communities it serves. Over the next five years, Lowe’s will invest $100 million in community impact projects – supporting nearly 1,800 communities each year.
Now through March 28, Lowe’s is inviting Americans nationwide to nominate their hometown projects in need as part of a new, annual initiative called Lowe’s Hometowns.
Lowe’s Hometowns will help repair, restore, or improve the following types of community spaces:
Skilled Trades Education Facilities (e.g., mobile bus, workshops)
Community Centers (e.g., senior citizen center, youth center, accessible home needs, food pantry)
Parks/Outdoor Spaces (e.g., community playground, greenway, community garden)
“Each day, our associates and neighbors come together to help build and strengthen their communities. With this investment through Lowe’s Hometowns, we are demonstrating our commitment to make homes – and hometowns – better for those in need,” said Marvin R. Ellison, Lowe’s chairman and CEO. “We look forward to working with communities across the country to make sure that our investments serve their needs and have a positive impact that lasts for years to come.”
Nominate a project in your community to be a part of LOWE’S HOMETOWNS
Last year, thousands of projects were nominated, and 100 grant recipients pulled together with their local Lowe’s store associates to transform their needs into realities. Many of these recipients simply needed additional funding, skilled workpeople and a handful of volunteers to push a years-delayed project over the finish line.
Take, for example, the Paintsville Veterans Referral Center in Paintsville, Kentucky. This nonprofit veterans center had been heavily damaged by flooding and needed assistance in completing restorations so that it could continue to provide vital outreach and programs. With a grant awarded as part of Lowe’s 100 Hometowns, the center was able to be completely restored.
“After losing everything, we were prepared to close the doors…. Talk about a change in our veterans’ wellbeing. This center has been packed and back to business, and then some,” said Stephanie Rodriguez, project manager at Paintsville Veterans Center.
Mingus Job Accelerator in Mingus, Texas, is a program that provides on-the-job training for adults with intellectual disabilities. Its grant from 100 Hometowns was devoted to finishing a cluster of tiny houses, a cornerstone of its program. Without these houses, participants could only enter a daily program, which left them missing out on the most important aspect of their training, learning how to live independently.
“The largest impact, next to the beauty of the project, is the inclusiveness and awareness our project brings to the general public,” said CEO Jan Underwood.
A fallacy for corporations is thinking that their contribution to bettering the world exists only in monetary resources. While fiscal funding is absolutely crucial for nonprofits and under-resourced groups, companies can also use multiple assets, including their people power, material goods and in-kind donations.
program, local Lowe’s store associates got involved on “Red Vest Days,” named after the hallmark Lowe’s uniforms. These workers teamed up with folks at nonprofit organizations and within the communities to provide additional labor on the specific projects being completed.
Bringing supplies and much-needed skill sets, Lowe’s associates helped further these projects while completing nearly 12,000 volunteer hours. This approach allowed community members, nonprofit workers and volunteers to get help with troubleshooting issues and build valuable connections with local Lowe’s stores.
a project in your community to become part of Lowe’s Hometowns in 2022. And to learn more about how your company can support employees and communities by fostering stronger civic engagement, visit
As I planned this blog just a few days ago, my intent was to salute the end of Black History Month and welcome Women’s History Month with stories. Stories about the contributions of those we recognize; share a fact or two about lesser-known individuals whose contributions impact our daily lives, and those whose leadership today contributes to a more vibrant society.
But as we come to the end of February and welcome in March 2022, the world as we know it, once again, has changed. Just as we began to see progress around the corner in a COVID-forward world, we watch, almost in disbelief, as Russia has invaded Ukraine. An aggression and uprising in 21st century Europe unfolding before our very eyes.
Our perspective of leadership is being shaped in real time. Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, is now a household name. He has chosen to stay and lead his people and defend their democracy. His leadership has the attention of the world.
This current news cycle, in juxtaposition to Black History Month and Women’s History Month, reminds me that history is made in real time.
Leaders step forward during their time and make a difference. They inspire others to do the same, by their words and actions. Leaders like abolitionist and women’s rights activist Sojourner Truth, civil rights activists Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Congressman John Lewis, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm and South African anti-apartheid revolutionist President Nelson Mandela didn’t believe in accepting things they could not change. They acted, with others, to change the things they could not accept.
We look back to history to be inspired, but leaders are built in the present.
It’s important to celebrate history and be reminded of giants of the past, those who paved the way for the privileges we enjoy. And the heroism exhibited by leaders in today’s headlines remind us that when faced with a situation we know is not right, we can take action.
I believe that every action matters and that no act is too small to make a difference. We see this in the individuals who exhibit extraordinary leadership in their community that we honor with our
each weekday. Ordinary people focused on eradicating major societal inequities ranging from food insecurity to homelessness, climate change to education, voting rights to criminal justice reform and so much more.
These individuals, acting as points of light, are making their history today.
We can all take action and accelerate change using Points of Light’s Civic Circle. Picking 2-3 actions to address a cause you care about can get the ball rolling and inspire others to get involved.
When you think about our world and the challenges you see, I encourage you to ask yourself, “
How am I making history today?
”
As I sit between two months designated to celebrate the history of others, I am reminded that every day through my own words and actions, and reflecting my values, I have an opportunity to inspire a family member, friend, colleague or neighbor. Whether at large conference tables or in a coffee shop, in zoom rooms, or in small and private circles, what I do matters. I too am making history. And my friends, so are you.
Natalye Paquin was the president and chief executive officer of Points of Light from 2017–2022.
She is a visionary and results-oriented leader, with more than 20 years of experience providing strategic, operations and fiscal leadership in the nonprofit and public sectors.
Meet Black Changemakers Who Are Paving the Way for Future Generations
Since 2005, The Extra Mile monument has celebrated remarkable individuals whose actions and commitment to service have transformed our nation. This one-mile stretch, just blocks from the White House, was created in honor of Points of Light Founder President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush and dedicated to the spirit of service in America.
The opening dedication ceremony celebrated President Bush and revealed the 33 inducted honorees. It still stands as a permanent representation of the president’s enduring legacy of civic engagement in the United States. It is the only monument in the nation that has been created to honor everyday citizens for the work they’ve done for their country. In Black History Months past, we’ve featured the
in The Extra Mile who had huge impacts on the world as we now know it, including Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Booker T. Washington, Ida Wells-Barnett, William Dubois and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
who had huge impacts on the world as we now know it. This year, we’re showcasing a few of our Daily Point of Light honorees who are making history by creating change in their own communities.
Qu‘Derrick Covington works at Howard University, a world-renowned historically Black university, to ensure that students successfully graduate. He launched The Tulsa Initiative in 2018. Partnering with other organizations, the collective focus was to create an entire generation of men of color entrepreneurs who will inspire and train the next wave of younger entrepreneurs.
Cheryl Ann Wadlington was a 2020 L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth Awardee. She founded The Evoluer House in 2004, which offers evidence-based empowerment programs for minority girls aged 13 to 18 in financial literacy, resume writing, professional etiquette, sexual health and healthy relationships.
Rwenshaun Miller launched Eustress, Inc. in 2013 to start conversations about mental health, primarily with members of Black and Brown communities. It empowers individuals to take control of their mental health. Rwenshaun works tirelessly to help people achieve healthier and productive lifestyles.
Know a Black changemaker in your community? Nominate them to receive a
during Black History Month as we continue lifting up our civic champions.
Atlanta Mother & Son-In-Law Bond by Volunteering
A native of Atlanta, Stephany Cross met Juan Juliao through her daughter Maya. Maya and Juan met while she was serving in the Peace Corps in Colombia, and they have been together ever since. Originally from Barranquilla, Colombia, Juan moved to the United States in April 2021 to marry Maya. In Stephany’s words, that’s when she and Juan “became buddies.” The two grew closer as they planned Maya and Juan’s wedding together.
Their volunteer story began when Juan was looking for something useful to do while waiting for his work visa to process. Stephany suggested he try volunteering and Juan began helping Atlanta Transit Angels. He had such a great experience that he asked Stephany to join him.
, a collective of volunteers, greet refugees and asylum seekers at Atlanta bus stations with smiles, food and basic supplies. Most travelers only have their bus ticket, paperwork and a plastic bag filled with whatever a previous volunteer organization has provided at the border. It’s not uncommon for someone to have gone without food or water for close to 12 hours by the time they reach Atlanta.
What does an average day of volunteering look like for you?
Celebrate your civically engaged friend, family member or colleague this Valentine’s Day by sending a special e-card from Points of Light.
On Monday mornings, we get to the bus station and begin setting up water, fruit, soup and other supplies. We also have stuffed animals, coloring books and crayons for the children. Then we stand and wait patiently for the buses to come in.
The arriving refugees are apprehensive, tired and nervous, so we just want to make them feel comfortable. We often go out to them, helping to wave them into the station to rest and get some food and water. While at the station, we also hand out bags with hygiene supplies like toothbrushes and toothpaste and hand sanitizer, since most don’t have anything like that with them. We even have diapers for the babies.
Do you have a favorite volunteer or service memory together?
Juan:
Definitely the little kids. When they arrive, the children look so sad. Then Stephany gives them a toy or coloring book, and their whole attitude changes. They are really happy during the time they spend at the station. After all they have been through, it’s nice to provide a little bit of relief.
Stephany:
For me, it’s nice to spend time with my son-in-law. We’ve gotten to know the bus drivers, the staff at the bus stop and even people from the local businesses nearby. There is a mercado close by where we get tacos with the other volunteers and talk about the refugees and what we could do better or differently for them. Ultimately, it’s the little things we experience together – seeing someone smile who came in looking tired and sad.
Points of Light research uncovered that most people in the United States have the desire to help, but over 40 percent don’t know where or how to get started. What advice would you give someone looking to get more involved in their community?
, and it’s been helping me try new things and figure out what I am looking for in a volunteer opportunity. Try different things until you find what you like.
What can others learn from your experiences?
Stephany
: Helping people, even in a small way, can be a big thing in their lives.
Juan:
Although most travelers are using Atlanta as a jumping off point to their final destinations, we’ve created a community inside the bus stations with the manager, staff and neighboring businesses. We hope it gives them just a little feeling of home on their journey.
Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to honor friends and loved ones making a difference in your community with a gift in their name.
Your gift today helps our global network of 177 affiliates across 38 countries. Together we are inspiring, equipping and mobilizing more people to use their time, talent, voice and resources to create positive change in their communities. Because of your generous support, we can continue offering creative and impactful ways for people to take action to solve critical problems.
How daunting was it to take on a project like 
