Humanitarian Experience for Youth:

Humanitarian Experience for Youth, or HEFY, is an LDS-oriented service group that provides teenagers, between ages 16 and 19, an experience to serve others across the world. This organization is all about “changing lives through service.” This program gives young people the chance to experience new cultures and complete a service project for those less fortunate. With 12 different locations, including Peru, Brazil, and Belize, this organization gives a chance for everyone to go out and give back. (For more information visit www.hefy.org).

IFRE Volunteers Abroad:

IFRE Volunteers Abroad is a non-profit organization focused on providing the most inexpensive experience, while still allowing a safe environment to volunteer. With 18 locations and 200 projects, IFRE gives a great experience for people of all ages to travel to a new place and help those less fortunate. Having placed more than 17,000 volunteers, IFRE ensures that each volunteer will leave with “a diverse and memorable experience that is second to none.” (For more information visit www.ifrevolunteers.org)

Cross-Cultural Solutions:

Cross-Cultural Solutions is a nonprofit volunteer service that addresses global issues to communities abroad. With over 18 years providing volunteers with this unique opportunity, they continue to provide an “impactful adventure of a lifetime.” With 10 different locations and a 99.5 percent volunteer satisfaction record, Cross-Cultural Solutions provides an adventure of a lifetime. (For more information visit www.crossculturalsolutions.org).

Global Leadership Adventures:

The Global Leadership Adventures Organization provides volunteers with over ten destinations, including Bali, Fiji, the Galapagos Islands, and China. The organization provides students from 14-18 years old with the opportunity to immerse themselves in a different culture, develop leadership skills, and make a difference in the lives of others. Some trips that are available to attend are building playgrounds and classrooms near Mt. Kilimanjaro, helping to combat malnutrition in Peru, and even protect endangered species in the Galapagos Islands. (For more information visit www.experiencegla.com).

Compton Initiative:

Compton Initiative is a non-profit volunteer program that helps bring life back to Compton. In this program a volunteer does quarterly work, by painting homes, schools, churches, parks, murals and more. Due to the restoration they have seen business and restaurants moving back into Compton. According to Compton Initiative, they “believe that service, love and care are having a real impact on Compton.” Their goal is to give hope and a sense of pride back to the residents in their own community. (For more information visit http://justdogood.org).

Participating in humanitarian work is a great experience for all. Through one of these many groups featured above, you can achieve the same life-changing experience.