Youth Volunteering in United States

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally—from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 147,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back—it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.

Find out why more and more people are choosing to become a Love Volunteer! Love Volunteers is the most affordable way to volunteer and help local communities in developing countries! Why are we cheaper than other organisations? Firstly, we are just a handful of passionate people working hard to help volunteers and local communities around the world. We don't have huge overheads - no company cars, no downtown office - we're just volunteers who knew we could do a better job. Secondly, we work with local organisations wherever we can to keep administration costs to a minimum and also to feed as much money and skills into the local communities where we operate. All of Love Volunteers partner organisations have been fully vetted to ensure that, not only does a genuine need for assistance exist, but that the environments that we place our volunteers are safe and of high quality. Choose from one or more of our 200+ amazing community-based programs in 37 developing countries around the world. Every program has been personally visited by one of our dedicated staff members and is regularly audited to ensure it meets our high standards in terms of safety, sustainability, and local impact.

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller grassroots NGOs and local specialists in more than 80 countries. All these with just one click! Find projects in wildlife, teaching, community development, and several other areas. Simply choose your desired destination and desired travel date, and our search engine will compare the best volunteer abroad programs on your behalf. Whether you wish to gain experience at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa or teach English at a monastery in Nepal, we've got you covered. Volunteer World guarantees a quick and easy application. We will guide you through this process, as well as help plan your next meaningful trip. We provide free access to quality-checked projects and flexible options. And if anything goes wrong, we've got your back with our qualified support team and our refund guarantee.

Alaska is known as the last frontier, the land of the midnight sun, and the place where your life will change! This program combines the breathtaking beauty of Alaska, meaningful service work, and adventures that will have the whole family wishing they could come! You’ll visit Homer, one of Alaska’s best-kept secrets near Kenai Fjords National Park. Our Older Teen programs are carefully crafted with 11th and 12th graders in mind. We do not just take our standard programs and open certain dates to an older age group without changing the itineraries. Instead, we understand that older teens require a different type of program, and need itineraries with more challenges and independence to help them grow and encourage even more confidence in traveling. These programs are designed to nurture older teens and teach them to be more savvy travelers. Because as you grow, your interests and needs do too. So get ready to explore the very best the 49th State has to offer, connect with nature and local communities, and learn how to be an independent traveler!

Experience impactful volunteering in one of the various sectors through our USA homestay program. Immerse yourself in American life, contribute to local communities, and gain invaluable cross-cultural understanding. You will live with an American host family while volunteering 25-35 hours/week with non-profits. Our host families are mostly middle-class households providing internet, transportation, free time activities, and a welcoming environment across 18 states. For your volunteer work, you can choose from diverse fields like museums, healthcare, youth centers, community radios, and more. You may also do two volunteer placements. You do not need any prior experience, and at the end of the program, you’ll receive a participation certificate. Your placement with a family and volunteer job is assigned based on your preferred volunteer activity, a detailed questionnaire, a personality test, and a self-introduction letter. For your safety, we are partnering with Cultural Homestay International, which has 40+ years of experience, ensuring participant safety. Furthermore, all host families undergo thorough screening, including interviews, home inspections, and background checks.

Join us for the adventure of a lifetime! Volunteers For Peace (a Vermont-based nonprofit) can place you on a team of international volunteers who contribute to a meaningful community service project designed, planned, and hosted by local partners. We offer the most affordable projects and the best way to meet people from all over the world. Work project types vary by country but may include environmental and wildlife conservation, historic preservation, educational and language learning, archaeology, organic farming, and arts and festivals. We also have social services projects, which could involve working with children, the elderly, or refugees. Projects are designed to combine service with recreational activities and cultural exchange – whether by visiting local beaches, learning local dances, meeting local officials, or volunteering with residents at the place you’re visiting. Each project is unique, but all bring people together for the most meaningful travel experience imaginable. Please note that VFP can only place US Citizens. This is due to our agreements with our international partners.

The Winter Mental Health & Service Leadership Residency is a 10-day accredited program (January 2–11, 2026 in San Diego, CA, that fuses mental health education, trauma-informed service learning, and intercultural leadership development. Co-designed by mental health advocate Benj Gershman and intercultural strategists Meagan and Scott Holcomb, this residency features organizational psychologist, former therapist, & author Melissa Doman, education activist and former Microsoft executive John Wood, and spoken word artist Demetri Manabat, and offers students from both universities and the world 3–7 transferable credits while engaging in transformative workshops, hands-on community impact, and digital storytelling. From immersive sessions at the Lakehouse Resort to service with local nonprofits and a student-led Docathon showcase, participants will build resilience, leadership skills, and a portfolio that bridges personal growth with professional pathways.

Animal Assisted Happiness (AAH) operates entirely with the help of volunteers and is actively seeking youth and adult volunteers. If you have a passion for youth and animals, there's something for you to do. From caring for and socializing our animals to assisting youth in interacting with them, maintaining our facility, and helping with fundraising and community outreach, your help is invaluable. Our greatest need is for volunteers to take our animals on visits, bringing joy and happiness to the community. Whether you enjoy working directly with animals, assisting with farm chores, or engaging with children, AAH provides a welcoming environment where your efforts will make a significant impact. Volunteering with AAH is a unique chance to become part of a community that fosters compassion, empathy, and connection through meaningful service.

The International Volunteer Program by NPH USA invites compassionate individuals to make a significant impact on the lives of children across Latin America and the Caribbean. Volunteers work at Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) homes for orphaned and abandoned children, contributing their skills and time to enhance the lives of these children. Volunteer Roles: 1. Administration: Serve as Communication Officers, Project Coordinators, or in Sponsorship programs. Work with NPH homes and global fundraising offices to communicate with donors and the public. 2. Coordination: Support current volunteers and assist with the placement of new volunteers. Help visitors from around the world experience NPH firsthand. 3. Youth Development: Lead and coordinate programs such as women’s and men’s empowerment, youth leadership, life skills, and community support projects. Volunteering with NPH USA offers a life-changing opportunity to make a profound difference in the lives of children in need. By committing to this program, volunteers will experience personal growth, form lasting relationships, and contribute to meaningful change. Apply today!