Get Involved

If you would like to get involved with Visions, there are many opportunities to do so. Visions is always in need of people to help fundraise, offer professional assistance, plan and implement projects both at home and in the field, and do other odds and ends as needed. We need your help… contact us if you would like to help Visions in its efforts to promote education, entrepreneurship, and empowerment.

Here are some ways people have helped Visions in the past:

        *Volunteered in Sri Lanka, India, or Kenya as a Visions summer         leadership camp volunteer (visit our Volunteer page here, or to         learn more about specific opportunities available please visit         our volunteer abroad listing on GoAbroad.com: click here)

        *Planned a fundraiser event, such as a fashion show,         basketball tournament, or photography exhibit

        *Organized a school supplies drive with campus groups, friends,         and local businesses

        *Held a fundraiser that utilized one's own professional skills,         such as a photo shoot.

        *Offered professional services and skills, including legal,         business/accounting, architectural, web design, and more

        *Asked your company to make a corporate contribution to         Visions

        *Encouraged co-workers to donate to Visions and partake in         the 'employee matching' program many companies offer

        *Connected Visions staff and volunteers with potential donors,         volunteers, or other helpful contacts

July 2009: Karole Holland-Hagino

In 2008, Karole volunteered abroad with Visions in Kenya, bringing incredible passion and energy with her. Her motivation for helping others has also translated over locally, volunteering her time and energy to help with Visions' efforts at home. For the last 2 years she has helped a great deal with our annual "Fashions at the Cove" charity fashion show, has collected and donated all sorts of supplies needed for our annual trainings, and more. She is constantly spreading the word about Visions and getting others to support us as well. We hope she will be able to join us abroad again sometime in the near future. As a small organization with lofty goals, Visions relies on volunteers like Karole to help achieve these goals and grow, so that we may better serve the youth and communities we help.

August 2008: Cassandra Pataky

Having worked in the nonprofit sector herself for the past several years, including the last few with the Green Belt Movement, Cassie is very aware of the importance of development work and is committed to leaving a positive impact on our world. This summer Cassie was able to raise over $3,200 for Visions through her personal network and through reaching out to the Yorba Linda Rotary Club, of which she is a member. Cassie has also helped locally with various Visions efforts and is looking to be more actively involved in the organization as we grow.

July 2008: Tamara Ackland

Tamara is the type of extraordinary volunteer that does not come along very often. Having volunteered with Visions in Sri Lanka in 2003 and 2005, as well as Kenya in 2007, she has helped conduct more Visions Leadership & Empowerment Camps than any other volunteer. As Visions puts on its 11th and 12th Visions Camps next month in India and Kenya, it is only fitting that we look back and honor those who have helped build this organization. She has also helped with a number of Visions events and other projects here in the US. Tamara's commitment to education and to leaving her mark on the world is not only evidenced through her commitment to Visions, she also works full-time as an elementary school teacher in New York City. Both locally and abroad, we can always count on Tamara to pour her heart and soul into her work.

June 2008: Elaine Lin

Elaine is a student at Esperanza High School in Anaheim, CA where she will soon be a senior. She is very involved at her school with student government, dance, speech & debate, and music. Elaine took the personal initiative of planning and implementing a supplies drive to benefit the Visions Leadership & Empowerment Camps in India and Kenya this summer. Working with other student groups and local businesses, Elaine was able to raise nearly $400 in supplies and collected another $300 in donations. We are impressed by her strong leadership and organizational skills, and personal ambition in planning this effort on her own. Visions thrives on this type of creativity and commitment from volunteers all over the world, so thank you for your support, Elaine!

May 2008: Mythri Jegathesan

Mythri is currently a member of the Visions Board of Directors and has been volunteering with Visions since 2005. She has volunteered in Sri Lanka in 2005 and 2006, and has been an avid supporter of the organization since then. Mythri was instrumental in planning 2 Visions events in New York City on May 22nd and May 25th, making the logistical arrangements for the young professionals conference and volunteering her time at the social event as well. She helped to publicize both events and spoke at the conference, offering her knowledge of the situation in Sri Lanka and encouraging others to stay committed to doing humanitarian work in this country where it is so deeply needed. We are proud to have her support and unending enthusiasm.

April 2008: Trent Holland

Trent Holland, a graduating senior at UC San Diego, served as the Event Organizer for the 'Fashions at the Cove' Charity Fashion Show in La Jolla, CA on April 17, 2008. That event raised over $2,650, all of which will go towards the annual summer leadership camps in Sri Lanka and Kenya. The event also brought in over 120 guests & 25 volunteers and served as an important opportunity to share the Visions organization with others. It was a great success overall. His effort shows just how far one person's personal initiative can go in building our organization and helping those in need. Trent will be volunteering in Kenya this August with Visions and is looking forward to it with great anticipation.

"Be the change you wish to see in the world."--Gandhi