Who We Are

Students of Service (SOS) develops young leaders who have a global perspective to solve local problems.


Our programs combine meaningful local community service with informed international experiences. By focusing on student leadership and global and cultural competencies, SOS is promoting empathy, citizenship, diversity,
inclusion, and equity.

Our Mission & Vision

Learn More
Learn More
Group photo of diverse students and adults holding a large SOS San Antonio banner with the tagline "Learn. Serve. Explore." in a conference room with American and Texas flags, tables, chairs, and water bottles.

Our Organization Values

Icon of a closed book with a bookmark.

Education

A shield icon with a cross in the center, symbolizing protection or healthcare.

Safety

Logo of two outlined hands clasped in a handshake, in blue and black.

Respect

A logo with a dark blue circle in the center, surrounded by three smaller circles, representing a group or community.

Leadership

Icon of a heart with a person inside and five smaller circles above, signifying community or care.

Community

A Message from our Executive Director

As we step into 2024, I want to express my sincere appreciation for your continued dedication and the incredible impact you've had on our organization. We’re looking forward to working with you all in 2024! We have an amazing year ahead.

2023 was our first year with full-time staff and we achieved even more than we hoped (or planned!). Though there were many more achievements, we have included a few highlights below. In 2023, SOS:

  • Hosted 71 service & learning events

  • Hosted 34 students from the City of Darmstadt who visited us as part of a sister-city exchange

  • Sent 34 travelers on 2 trips to Southern Europe and Ecuador

  • Signed up 680 new volunteers

  • Served more than 3000+ hours

  • Completed 3 amazing Make It Happen projects

  • Awarded $33,000 in travel scholarships

  • Hosted our first Global Guest speaker, Christo Brand, in San Antonio

2024 marks a significant milestone for us – our 10th Anniversary! We are eager to celebrate this achievement so stay tuned for announcements of exciting programming going on throughout the year. In addition, this year we are looking forward to expanding our Learn programs to include leadership training, career exploration and soft skills development programs, and more! We also look forward to expanding our team of staff and volunteers to reach even more students in every corner of San Antonio.

As we embark on our tenth year, we are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. Your enthusiasm, and commitment are what make us stronger. Please join us this year as we reintroduce ourselves to San Antonio for our 10-year anniversary and continue making a lasting impact on San Antonio’s students.


With gratitude,
Amir Samandi
Executive Director
Students of Service (SOS)

Executive Director, Amir Samandi, smiling in a blue suit, and red plaid tie, standing in front of colorful patterned murals.
Students working on arts and crafts at a long table in a bright, modern room.
Young woman with long brown hair smiling as she paints colorful handprints on a wall with a mural, while a person in the background also painting on the wall.
Group of young students planting trees outdoors on a bright sunny day, with some holding shovels and wearing gloves.
Group of young people posing together at a food bank, with some making peace signs. They are wearing casual clothes and are in a room with a Food Bank sign and boxes in the background.
A man in a black polo shirt with a logo stands with his hands clasped in front of a brick wall and a flat screen TV. There is a shiny metal serving dish in the foreground.
Meet Our SOS Team
Meet Our SOS Team

Our Programs

Learn

SOS takes education outside the classroom by providing students the opportunity to learn about history and culture through service and travel.

Learn with us
Learn with us

Serve

We believe it is important for local youth to be engaged and interested in giving back to the community we live in. We host a range of different service events throughout the year.

Serve with us
Serve with us

Explore

Expand your understanding of the
global community by traveling the world. Meet new people, learn new customs, and experience the world first-hand. 

Explore with us
Explore with us

  • "SOS has influenced my perspective on how our city’s community affects the global community and the environment around us. For instance, traveling to Japan to attend the Student Ambassador program in our Sister City Kumamoto had to have been the most impactful trip I’ve experienced with SOS so far. Living with our host families for a few days showed me how different our cultures are, but how similar the values of our sister city Kumamoto is to San Antonio. Through these trips abroad and volunteering I’ve also met new people who I now consider family."

    Zoe P. (Student)

  • "In the last few years volunteering and traveling with SOS, my son discovered and strengthened his leadership skills and ability to speak in front of large crowd. I know speaking in front of people may not seem like a big deal, but my son grew up painfully shy. SOS not only helped him find his voice, but also taught him when, where, and how to use that voice to advocate for himself and others, no matter who is around. He learned to work hard, and that if you want to make effective, lasting change, you start in your community. Michael learned to set big goals and develop a plan. He also learned when life happens, adjusting his goals does not mean failure, because it is an opportunity to find new ways to achieve that he may not have thought of in the past. I am excited to see what the next few years working with SOS bring to Michael’s development and how he can change his community and the world."

    Jennifer B. (Parent)

  • "Through SOS, I have grown both as a person and as a student. I have developed service skills and a passion to help others, as well as a passion to learn about and explore the world. It's amazing I can do this alongside other dedicated students and parents! SOS is an integral part of my life and my character, and I hope it can keep growing and positively affecting the lives of other San Antonio families!"

    Carla C. (Student)

  • "Since my 14 year old son, Jonathan, became involved in the SOS program, he has become more respectful towards his teachers and has improved in his school work, bringing home A's and B's instead of C's and D's. He has also learned that helping and giving are more satisfying than that of taking and receiving. He has a stronger sense of self, has become more self-confident, and his ADD is under control without medication. He is always eager to find a way to help and volunteers whenever he can This program is truly wonderful in the way that it encourages the kids to become more involved in the communities they live in and to take pride in their accomplishments. I am grateful for his teacher (Mrs. Andersen) for inviting Jonathan to join SOS.

    Nicole J. (Parent)

  • “Students of Service has benefited my daughter, in many ways. It has given her the opportunity not only to grow as a person, but also to give back to our community and help others in need. Traveling abroad has created a more independent individual who embraces diversity.”

    Diana C. (Parent)

Join Us

SOS has 1500 members and counting, and we'd love to have you along.

Joining SOS has many benefits including gaining service hours, traveling the world, and helping your community! We host year-round service trips and weekly community service events.

Join SOS
Join SOS

View volunteer opportunities on the SOS Portal.