Teens can make a difference — and gain valuable experience — by helping local nonprofits

Getting involved in a nonprofit organization at a young age can do more than boost a college resumé. It builds confidence, cultivates leadership, and fosters a deeper connection to global issues. 

I’ve had a great experience volunteering with DTCare, and it’s taught me a lot about what students can gain from nonprofit work. As I’ve spoken with other teens who volunteer, I often hear the same message: Pittsburgh-area nonprofits need our help and we can learn so much  by working with them.  

At DTCare,  a Pittsburgh-based humanitarian nonprofit with projects across the world, young people are not only encouraged to volunteer; they’re empowered to lead. Since its beginning in 2019, its efforts have expanded throughout the world, touching almost every continent. 

Through DTCare, student Meredith Lipinski led an initiative to create holiday goodie bags for children in Ukraine with help from her teammates. “I’ve discovered that there’s nothing more fulfilling than contributing to a cause larger than myself,” said Lipinski, a member of the Pittsburgh Mt. Lebanon Swim Team. “Doing my small part to support those who need it most around the world is what truly motivates me.”

This spirit of global compassion is echoed by many youth volunteers at DTCare, who take on real-world projects. From packing medical kits for Ukraine to assembling goodie bags for displaced children, they are leaving a tangible impact and building skills along the way.

As the student president of DTCare, I’ve gotten to see the extent of the youth program. In Pittsburgh alone, I manage a team of 60 student volunteers ranging from 12 to 18 years old. 

What Can Students Do?

Youth efforts vary to fit the diverse range of interests, from helping to sponsor a girl’s volleyball camp in Bosnia and Herzegovenia, a children’s hospital in Zimbabwe or by gathering and sending art therapy supplies in Ukraine. 

Local High school senior Gabriel Mesic, whose family is from Bosnia, shared how this work connects him personally: “Being able to give back, support, and talk to other kids across the globe makes me feel more connected,” he says.

Together, the students who volunteer demonstrate how local action can build bridges across continents, transforming empathy into meaningful change.

Young People Helping Children

DTCare has also begun programs centered around kids, so that students can cater their work to other children.  

“You are loved, you are valued, and you are cared for,” says Judith Thompson, DTCare’s Program Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa. Her words are shared with children around the world and reflect the organization’s belief that true humanitarian work centers on dignity and emotional connection.

That sense of compassion is something DTCare hopes students will carry with them beyond any single event or project. 

“What I tell my own children,” says Courtney Robson, DTCare’s International Programs Manager, “is that if you live fully enough, you will encounter times when you need to ask others for help. It’s important not to forget how it felt to receive that compassion when you are in a position to help someone else.”

In a world where kids often feel overwhelmed by the scale of global challenges, organizations like DTCare prove that young people don’t need to wait to make a difference.

All photos courtesy of Vanshika Jain/DTCare.