Helping Hands Community ​Service Project

STS Foundation invites exchange student to give back to their hosting community through volunteering and community service

Giving back through volunteering and community service is an important part of American culture. The Helping Hands Community Service Project was created to help STS Foundation exchange students embrace the spirit of volunteerism and give back to the communities that welcome them. As they travel back to their home countries at the end of their exchange year, students also take back with them this spirit of volunteerism and many go on to continue giving back long after they have left the United States.

“It is such an amazing feeling to have the honor to do a lot for your community. As I move through life, I think I will always be involved in community service.”

– Layla from Saudi Arabia, STSF Alumni, Class of 2020

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
STS Foundation students currently on exchange in the USA are invited to participate in the Helping Hands Community Service Project. Host Families and Local Coordinators are encouraged to be involved and participate with their exchange student(s).

HOW DO I PARTICIPATE?
STS Foundation students participate by volunteering and completing community service in their local community. Details of their volunteer and community service hours need to be submitted using the Helping Hands Community Service Tracker.

WHEN CAN I PARTICIPATE?
STS Foundation students are encouraged to volunteer during their entire exchange year. Volunteer and community hours completed in the Fall semester must be submitted by January 15, 2023. Volunteer and community hours completed in the Spring semester must be submitted by May 15, 2023.

DO I GET SOMETHING FOR PARTICIPATING?
To encourage students to participate and give back to their community, STS Foundation will gift a $100 Amazon gift card to the student who completes and submits the most volunteer hours each semester.

Be inspired to give back each month of your exchange year by following the Helping Hands Volunteer Calendar!

Volunteer and community service hours completed in relation to the theme of the month will count double towards your semester total to win the prize!