buildOn
buildOn is a nonprofit organization that empowers high school students in underserved U.S. communities to lead local service projects and help fight poverty through education. Through its global program, students also have the opportunity to travel abroad and build schools in partnership with rural communities in developing countries. The locations are Domestic: Boston, Bridgeport, Bronx, Chicago, Detroit, Oakland, North America: Haiti, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Africa: Burkina Faso, Malawi, Mali, Senegal, Asia: Nepal.
General Information
Either participate in your domestic community or in abroad programs. This program allows students to volunteer to help seniors, unhoused neighbors, children, and underserved populations. In abroad programs, students stay with host families and engage in cultural exchange and commit to two weeks of hands-on work. For the treks, the cost is unique. Students must raise $35,000 for the cause to participate on the trip. Students can fundraise this money using buildOn's online tools or by separate methods. For the domestic programs, the price is completely free.
Eligibility
For the domestic volunteering where students are enrolled in partner high schools in the previously stated cities, only required is that the students are grades 9-12. For the international trips, the require is similar as students must be 14+ while meeting basic travel requirements.
Link for the website.
Application Process
To volunteer with buildOn, students first sign up online to join a local Community Team, typically based at their school or in their city or with this link. They must submit a parental consent and permissions form. After attending an orientation or training session, students can begin participating in weekly in-person service projects and may later apply for a global “Trek” to help build schools in developing countries.