Our Mission
As the Bay Area's leading student-run volunteer organization, our mission is to bridge the gap between passionate teens and impactful volunteer opportunities, building essential skills for students and providing vital support to local non-profits.
In Detail
Founded by teens, VolunteerConnect empowers middle and high schoolers across the Bay Area to become impactful servant leaders. Beyond the boundaries of school, community service provides a unique path for teens to exemplify their work ethic in areas they’re enthusiastic for while building strong moral character and gaining recognition for their efforts with awards like the PVSA.
VolunteerConnect recognizes the tremendous potential in middle and high schoolers in the Bay Area to serve. We seek to bridge the gap between eager volunteers and dedicated organizations through a user-friendly platform that provides instant, account-free access to hundreds of volunteer opportunities. Our comprehensive database equips teens to showcase genuine leadership and a deep commitment to community transformation with up-to-date entries ranging from sports coaching to local advocacy. We hope you can be a part of VolunteerConnect’s mission to build a vibrant, service-oriented community around Bay Area students.
Learn more about volunteering and how we can help you! Link here.
Meet Our Team
Andrew Lei
Founder
I founded VolunteerConnect because I believe in students discovering their passions through dedicated service and making a difference in local communities. Volunteering is quietly powerful; I've learned that from volunteering at my local book sale, sorting food at Second Harvest, and serving Sunday breakfast to war veterans. Each action seems small but packs so much meaning and changes your perspective on gratitude and purpose. Through VolunteerConnect, I've seen other teens take up this resolve, and I'm proud of what our team has and will continue to accomplish.
Aarav Iyer
Founder
I’m Aarav Iyer, one of the founders of Volunteer Connect! Volunteering has always been a core part of who I am, and helping other students find that same joy has been incredibly rewarding! I currently help manage the outreach, logistics, and community development teams. I’ve volunteered with local churches, food banks, gardens, and justice organizations.
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Aarav Daftary
Founder and CTO
Having contributed hundreds of hours mentoring adults in digital literacy at my library, tutoring younger students in Python, golf and art, and as CTO at a prior volunteering social enterprise, I founded VolunteerConnect rooted in the belief that technology should bring people together to strengthen their communities. As the CTO, I help technology and logistics teams translate that philosophy into accessible, scalable, and engaging systems. Watching our growing team of volunteers embrace this mission, excites me for the communities it continues and promises to empower.
Kylie Ng
Website Designer
I, Kylie Ng, am the website designer for Volunteer Connect. In designing this website, my hope is to make volunteer opportunities fully accessible to users. From volunteering at school for sports to volunteering at my local animal shelter, I am committed in helping my community. Volunteering is so powerful because one act can help immensely, and, in joining Volunteer Connect, I am able to help others make impactful contributions to their community.
Tisha Prasad
Logistics Lead
My name is Tisha and I am Head of Logistics for Volunteer Connect. I am passionate about using innovation and data-driven solutions to make volunteer opportunities more visible and accessible for everyone in our community. My volunteer experiences include Martin Luther King Jr. Library, the Tech Interactive, and Christmas in the Park.
John Xie
Outreach & Ambassador Lead
My name is John and I am the outreach co-leader/ambassadors manager for Volunteer Connect. I joined volunteer connect because I want to bridge the gap between students and their passions to help uplift communities. For my own volunteering experience, I help out at a museum to engage kids in STEM activities. Additionally, I have volunteered at food banks and gardens.
Surya Vaddepuri
Outreach Lead
My name is Surya and I am an outreach lead for Volunteer Connect. I am passionate about expanding our impact and making it easier for students to get involved in service within their communities. Personally, I have supported community initiatives through student led service efforts, outreach to local nonprofits, and volunteer events that serve libraries and community centers in our area.
Aiden Rui
Outreach Member
My name is Aiden, and I am involved in outreach through VolunteerConnect. In middle school, I regularly volunteered through school events, but I was surprised to learn that my friends from other schools did not have similar opportunities. Through outreach at VolunteerConnect, I help combat this problem, bringing the platform to schools across the Bay Area and California to help students find local volunteering opportunities. Personally, I have volunteered at local food shelters, park cleanups, and schools.
Michael Ghobrial
Logistics Member
I am Michael Ghobrial and I work on Logistics for Volunteer Connect. Personally I mainly volunteer at San José Public Libraries and many other locations hosting educational workshops for kids. I joined because I wanted to streamline the volunteering process for other students, and my main role involves finding and researching the opportunities themselves.
Harnoor Sethi
Logistics Member
My name is Harnoor and I joined Volunteer Connect because I value giving back to my community and wanted a structured way to find meaningful service opportunities. I love helping my community and participate in outreach by helping organize and support meal distribution and educational volunteering initiatives. Personally, I have volunteered preparing and distributing meals for unhoused individuals, assisted with Meals on Wheels deliveries, and taught calculus to students through community-based nonprofit programs.
Mateo Cortes
Logistics Member
My name is Mateo, and I am on the logistics team at Volunteer Connect. I joined Volunteer Connect to support a community that makes it easier for people to give back in meaningful ways. I often volunteer at my local food pantry and other organizations that help give back to my community.
Why Does Volunteering Matter?
VolunteerConnect emphasizes the importance of youth becoming active volunteers through their four years in high school. Many teens don’t realize that their efforts can be rewarded–both the PVSA and Congressional Award provide national recognition, prestigious opportunities that many students miss out on. Additionally, volunteer service opens doors to colleges; a recent survey of 264 admission office leaders found that fifty-three percent of respondents noted community service as a deciding factor when the choices are equally qualified students. Not only that, but two-thirds of the respondents said they value community service because it demonstrates that the student shares the school’s values and mission.
But volunteering isn’t just about boosting a college resume: it brings a sense of fulfillment and purpose by helping others and makes a genuine difference in the community. With national volunteer participation declining every year, nonprofit organizations need your help more than ever. Moreover, the skills teens develop through volunteering offer professional work experience and create valuable connections with mentors, community leaders, and peers who can write strong recommendation letters across different fields. Most importantly, volunteering empowers teens to create positive change in their community, building their leadership in a tangible way that lasts for a lifetime.
With VolunteerConnect, you'll never have to worry about missing out on the best volunteer opportunities. We'll give you a wide range of choices, customizable by preference. We'll make sure that your volunteering through high school is a rewarding, authentic experience that pays off. Always.