Volunteers assist students with program activities. ATOU volunteers interact with students and guide them through activities at each station. Many help with loading and set-up of presentation equipment.

Individuals with disabilities share their personal stories and answer students’ questions. Speakers introduce new perspectives and provide insight through their honest stories and willingness to engage.

Some of our volunteer speakers have transportation needs and volunteers sometimes help transport speakers to and from workshops.

These are volunteers who help with outreach, fundraising events, information tables at fairs, conventions and other community events.

Members of our local community who offer their professional services pro bono, to assist ATOU with graphic arts, accounting, legal services, technical support, catering, partnering, and other programmatic assistance.

This includes data-entry, research, outreach, collating and packing school enrichment materials, communications and fundraising help, and acting as a buddy at ATOU monthly Youth F.O.R.C.E activities.

Students may earn this award through 50 hours of volunteer service with ATOU. Adults require 100 hours to be granted this award.

The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation (the Council) was established in 2003 to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making in our communities and encourage more people to serve. The Council created the President’s Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service.

Recognizing and honoring volunteers sets a standard for service, encourages a sustained commitment to civic participation, and inspires others to make service a central part of their lives. The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes individuals, families, and groups that have achieved a certain standard – measured by the number of hours of service over a 12-month period or cumulative hours earned over the course of a lifetime.

To date, the President’s Council has partnered with more than 80 Leadership Organizations and more than 28,000 Certifying Organizations to bestow more than 1.5 million awards to the Nation’s deserving volunteers.