One volunteer that stands out to at Catholic Charities Community Services is Pat. Why? Before becoming a volunteer to help Arizona's homeless, Pat was homeless himself.

Lindsey Fossum witnessed the trauma of memory loss firsthand with her grandfather. At the time, she had no idea that this difficult experience would ultimately lead her to a career working with people with Alzeimer’s and various forms of dementia.

Half a million endangered children are now safe, thanks to the work of volunteers at Thursday's Child.

College students and food: Would YOUR mind immediately think of a volunteer-run, multi-chapter nonprofit that turns unused meal points into non-perishable donations to local communities?

Teresa learned from her own experiences as an immigrant and a volunteer how to help others make a difference in her community.

Kimberly is fighting the lack of diversity in STEM with education and mentoring for young women of color.

From the trauma of war, Christine was inspired to help children live healthy and happy lives amid violence, abuse and poverty.

Out of her own tragedy, Cynthia created a way to steer youth from violence by changing a generation.

Patti Vile has been taking care of people her whole life. Now through her nonprofit she helps people help others in New Orleans and other communities in need.

Love Without Boundaries changes the lives not only of impoverished and orphaned children, but also of its volunteers.

For Amy, stumbling into the hospice field has led to a volunteer management career that inspires her to be a better person.

This eleven-year-old doesn't let his age get in the way of his dream to end hunger in America.

Eliza Raymond uses social media strategies to raise money and recruit volunteers for global community building programs.

Meet Jordyn Schara, your typical 17-year-old girl who started a national drug collection and disposal program.

Chris turned a summer volunteer program into a lifelong pledge to help empower women and children through education.

Providing clean water for over 10,000 people in the developing world is just the beginning of Amanda's plans.

Laura’s mountain climbing challenge with friends grew into a global foundation to engage women in local philanthropy.

After traveling the world, Sara Ortega found a way to enable everyone to give kids in developing countries educational opportunities.

Lisa Beranek turned her childhood as a volunteer into a career helping other volunteers make a difference.

Doug Meckelson bridges the gap between generations and runs one of the most popular advice services on the Internet.

Deborah Cooke (at left) and Trisha Choi built a volunteer program model that has volunteers staying longer and feeling more valued.

With help from VolunteerMatch, Ruth Volk transformed her love of crochet into a decade-long commitment to Bundles of Love -- and helping families in need.

Inspiration often stems from something close to us. For Christian Jarquin, the past provided just that -- inspiration to help those in need. 

Out of a job and down on his luck, C.J. Felton built a new life through the help of Community Housing Network.

While most teens are updating their MySpace status, Shannon McNamara keeps busy managing the nonprofit she founded when she was 15 years old.

Working for the San Bernardino County Library, Robin knows the role that libraries can continue to play in the community.

For Johnna Brynn, photography is lifegiving. "I stood at the bottom of a palm tree, looked up, snapped the camera, and my soul snapped. I've never turned back."

A kind heart only goes so far. After fostering more than 50 kids, Rachel Ewald started an organization to help support other foster families financially.

With three degrees in flute performance, Abby McKee was certain that whatever career path she pursued, it needed to keep her active in the artistic community she loves.

Fran Heitzman has served in World War II, started two successful businesses, and raised six sons. But he knows that there is always more work to be done - especially for families in need.

Brooks Lambert and a group of volunteers from Best Day Foundation are making it possible for kids with special needs to experience a perfect day at the beach.

With our help, the Schiemans are transforming an American Cancer Society program in the Pittsburgh area into a model of volunteer recruitment success.

What can a small town in West Virginia teach this feisty world traveler whose own kids affectionately call "The Nomad" and whose sister calls "The Gypsy"

Commitment to a cause can evolve out of a long struggle. Other times it's born in an instant. In Donna Bartos’ case, the path to a calling to end domestic abuse was both.

Ana Fortin and Juma Ventures are part of a growing effort to insert sound business strategy into the heart of social change.

Bilingual, multi-cultural volunteers are the wave of the future according to CASA of Polk County Executive Director Bob Arias, and he's committed to find them.

Foster Grandparent Director Meg McCreedy wants people to know that the older you get, the more valuable you are.

A successful career in the private sector led Paul Baskin to help nonprofits by founding Grants to You and he hasn't looked back since.

With the help of Neighborhood Parks Council, Chloe Good is caring about her environment by becoming a steward for a local park in San Francisco.

Brandon Fine is a vélorution volunteer with the San Francisco Bike Coalition promoting the bicycle for everyday transportation.

Former Silicon Valley tech marketer Jennifer Green makes good on a promise to make a difference in kids' lives one child at a time.

Sarah Knippel has dedicated her professional life to making a better tomorrow for recent immigrants fleeing from war-torn countries to the United States.

Jan Scott ha sbeen redefined her retirement years by  providing consulting services for nonprofit Upwardly Global, and now she's hooked into a new career.

A Volunteer Coordinator for the American Red Cross, Heather Pritchett finds VolunteerMatch a valuable recruitment tool.

San Francisco-based Legacy Corps' T. Crandall is committed to including senior volunteers in his mission to provide respite care to those who need it.