AmeriCorps Shapes Lives You could say Max Gruber's life was greatly impacted by his AmeriCorps service. Max serves as Virginia AmeriCorps Fiscal and Administration Officer, supporting partner organizations through budgeting, compliance and the financial components of AmeriCorps, but his AmeriCorps experience started long ago as a young man fresh out of college. After being persuaded by a few close friends, Max joined AmeriCorps NCCC in Sacramento, California. "My team travelled the Western USA and had projects – called ‘Spikes’ – that included updating enclosures at the Sacramento Zoo, trail building in Bolinas, California, assisting the winter coat drive with the...

Finding Passion Through AmeriCorps Twylah Campbell is an AmeriCorps VISTA Leader who has found pure joy and professional growth through the AmeriCorps program. She discovered AmeriCorps in 2020 while visiting the Renaissance Charter School in Queens, NY. "The school was seeking a VISTA to support some data collection and data integration tasks, which would help the school track student adjustment, enrollment, attendance and monitoring activities during the pandemic. The moment I heard about the work being done by VISTAs, I fell in love with the program", Campbell said. Because of her enthusiasm and passion, after just one year of service,...

“Volunteering is not just a way to give back. It shows your commitment to the community,” says recent retiree Geneva Sydnor. After moving back to the area just a few months ago, Sydnor immediately began looking for meaningful ways to reconnect with and contribute to the community she once again calls home. One of the first organizations that came to mind was The Haven Shelter & Services, Inc. Her mother had long been a patron of its thrift store, but Sydnor realized she knew little about the full breadth of the organization’s mission. A quick online search led her to...

Founded in 1930, Publix Super Markets operates 24 stores across Virginia and more than 1,425 locations throughout the Southeast. Deeply committed to addressing food insecurity, Publix partners with local Feeding America food banks and nonprofits to ensure that safe, unsalable food reaches people in need. Between July 2024 and June 2025, Publix stores in Virginia donated over 4.5 million pounds of food, contributing to more than 1 billion pounds donated companywide since 2009. Publix’s Good Together Hunger Alleviation Campaign and Publix Serves volunteer program extend this impact, engaging associates and customers in service projects that fight hunger, deliver fresh produce,...

Since 2001, CVP Windows and Doors has gone above and beyond in addressing Virginia’s critical need for affordable housing. Partnering with Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg since 2021, CVP Windows and Doors has donated and installed windows, exterior doors, and patio sliders for over 20 homes. By contributing both materials and skilled labor, CVP Windows and Doors significantly reduces construction costs, enabling more families to achieve the stability, independence, and generational opportunity that homeownership provides. CVP Windows and Doors’ commitment extends beyond construction. Team members volunteer year-round with the Grove Christian Outreach Center, supporting food drives, summer lunch...

Trails to Recovery is a volunteer-led nonprofit that emerged in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene to bring hope, stability, and rebuilding to Southwest Virginia communities including Alvarado, Damascus, Green Cove, Konnarock, Taylors Valley, and Whitetop. The organization has spearheaded the construction of eight new homes and the repair of 95 additional homes damaged or destroyed by the storm, partnering with the Baptist General Assembly of Virginia/Impact Mission, Mennonite Disaster Service, and Storm Aid. Motivated by the needs of friends, neighbors, and even strangers, Trails to Recovery raised over $1.8 million, developing volunteer teams to restore homes, acquire land, and provide...

Adaptive Gymnastics provides children with disabilities the opportunity to participate in the sport of gymnastics, regardless of physical or intellectual ability. Founded in 2019, the program has grown from a single volunteer and four athletes to over 65 participants, serving as a model of inclusive, evidence-based programming that blends athletics, therapy, and community support. The program is led by dedicated medical student volunteers who develop lesson plans grounded in clinical research. Beyond physical skill development, Adaptive Gymnastics fosters confidence, perseverance, and social connection, giving children—and their families—a supportive environment in which to thrive. For parents and caregivers, classes provide a...

The Grove on Patterson, located in Roanoke, Virginia, is a groundbreaking recovery house providing 24/7 residential support for pregnant women and new mothers struggling with substance use. This innovative initiative addresses a critical gap in care, offering a safe and supportive environment for women who might otherwise be separated from their children during treatment. The Grove is the result of a powerful collaboration among community partners, including Anderson Treatment, which provides clinical leadership, and Restoration Housing, a nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing historic properties. Together, they have created a holistic model of care that integrates medical treatment, peer recovery support, social...

After 26 years of distinguished service as a U.S. Navy Senior Chief, Eliot Carlson chose not to retire from service—but to redefine it. As the volunteer Executive Director of Hero Kids Foundation (HKF), Eliot channels his lifelong commitment to duty into supporting military and first responder families through innovative, healing focused programs. Under his leadership, HKF has achieved a 20% increase in funding and launched its first formal volunteer program, mobilizing more than 400 volunteers in 2024. Eliot’s strategic partnerships have expanded the organization’s reach, creating lasting community connections and ensuring sustainability for years to come. His creativity and compassion...

At 20 years old, Esha has already built a global movement rooted in kindness, equity, and service. As co-founder and COO of NEST4US, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit she launched at age ten, Esha leads a network of more than 8,000 volunteers working across five core programs to address hunger, poverty, education, mental health, and sustainability. What began as a small family project has evolved into an international organization that has donated over 300,000 meals, delivered millions of dollars’ worth of resources, and empowered more than 100,000 youth worldwide. Through NEST4US programs including NEST Nurtures, NEST Tutors, NEST Kares, NEST Buddies, and...