Texas Diaper Bank
"I can’t begin to express my gratitude to you and the Summer of Service students. You all were able to help us in many more ways than just repackaging diapers and making food bags; you all directly impacted the lives of 500 households and provided 200 babies a week’s worth of diapers! Wow! You guys are truly amazing, and I wish you the best in all of your endeavors!"
~Angelica Torija, Volunteer Coordinator at the Texas Diaper Bank~
"I can’t begin to express my gratitude to you and the Summer of Service students. You all were able to help us in many more ways than just repackaging diapers and making food bags; you all directly impacted the lives of 500 households and provided 200 babies a week’s worth of diapers! Wow! You guys are truly amazing, and I wish you the best in all of your endeavors!"
~Angelica Torija, Volunteer Coordinator at the Texas Diaper Bank~
From Students
Zoe P. (Student)
SOS has influenced my perspective on how our city’s community affects the global community and the environment around us. For instants 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.
SOS has influenced my perspective on how our city’s community affects the global community and the environment around us. For instants 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.
Carla C. (Student)
"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!"
"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!"
Auroara N. (Student)
"One of the things that I love about Students of Service is that I had the opportunity to share with others one of the things that I love to do. Volunteering with animals is such a rewarding experience. San Antonio Pets Alive is the last rescue in San Antonio that saves as many animals from euthanasia, and the animals that are saved never seem to stop giving is all of their hearts. SOS was able to give them comfort and enjoyment by installing the new shade covers in their play yards, and by walking them and playing with them, it relieves a lot of the "shelter stress" that these pups and cats go through. We were also able to record several videos that were responsible for sending several pups on transport up north to other states that are always looking for more dogs, which directly saved as many more dogs by freeing up the kennel space. All of the dogs that were videos are already in their new happily Furever After home. The cats adored all of the attention and the nail trimming was truly helpful to the staff, who are all mainly volunteers themselves. Bathing the dogs and cleaning the kennels was such a relief to both the animals as well as the staff, it gave them time to focus on other things that always get put aside in order to work on the immediate needs. I love having been able to bring so many people out to be able to provide so many needed services to one of my favorite charities. Thank you all for coming out and giving so much of yourselves to these beautiful animals."
"One of the things that I love about Students of Service is that I had the opportunity to share with others one of the things that I love to do. Volunteering with animals is such a rewarding experience. San Antonio Pets Alive is the last rescue in San Antonio that saves as many animals from euthanasia, and the animals that are saved never seem to stop giving is all of their hearts. SOS was able to give them comfort and enjoyment by installing the new shade covers in their play yards, and by walking them and playing with them, it relieves a lot of the "shelter stress" that these pups and cats go through. We were also able to record several videos that were responsible for sending several pups on transport up north to other states that are always looking for more dogs, which directly saved as many more dogs by freeing up the kennel space. All of the dogs that were videos are already in their new happily Furever After home. The cats adored all of the attention and the nail trimming was truly helpful to the staff, who are all mainly volunteers themselves. Bathing the dogs and cleaning the kennels was such a relief to both the animals as well as the staff, it gave them time to focus on other things that always get put aside in order to work on the immediate needs. I love having been able to bring so many people out to be able to provide so many needed services to one of my favorite charities. Thank you all for coming out and giving so much of yourselves to these beautiful animals."
From Parents
Jennifer B. (Proud Parent)
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.
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.
Nicole J. (Proud Parent)
"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.
"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.
Diana C. (Proud 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.”
“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.”
Carlos C. (Proud Parent)
“I see the impact in the lives of the young people who so selflessly give their time and energy to so many worthwhile causes. Honestly, how many young people are willing to give up entire days on a weekend to help people they don’t know?”
“I see the impact in the lives of the young people who so selflessly give their time and energy to so many worthwhile causes. Honestly, how many young people are willing to give up entire days on a weekend to help people they don’t know?”