The Greek America Foundation is proud to announce that applications are now officially open for the 2026 Greek America Corps, our flagship volunteer program that has, for nearly two decades, connected young people from the Greek diaspora with communities in need across Greece.
In 2026, Greek America Corps volunteers will once again serve vulnerable populations through three distinct programs in Athens, Thessaloniki, and Chios—each offering hands-on service, deep cultural immersion, and a life-changing experience rooted in compassion, responsibility, and action.
A Program with History—and Heart
Since its founding, Greek America Corps has welcomed hundreds of volunteers who have served in orphanages, refugee shelters, community kitchens, and social service organizations during some of Greece’s most challenging years. From the depths of the financial crisis to the refugee emergency and beyond, volunteers have stepped in where help was urgently needed—providing dignity, human connection, and hope.
But the impact of Greek America Corps has never been one-directional.
As our Manifesto reminds us, philotimo is not inherited—it is practiced. Volunteers consistently describe the experience as transformative: a moment when heritage becomes responsibility, and identity turns into action. Many arrive in Greece intending to “give back.” Almost all leave with a deeper understanding of themselves, of Greece today, and of what it truly means to serve.
Three Locations. One Purpose.
Each 2026 program offers a distinct lens on Greece—urban, northern, and island—while sharing a common mission: standing alongside those who are too often unseen.
Athens places volunteers at the heart of Greece’s capital, working with organizations serving children, refugees, and families navigating poverty and instability.
Thessaloniki offers a powerful community-based experience in northern Greece, where volunteers engage directly with social programs supporting vulnerable youth and marginalized populations.
Chios provides a deeply human experience on the front lines of humanitarian need, where compassion, resilience, and presence matter as much as practical support.
Across all programs, volunteers don’t observe from a distance—they participate fully, building relationships and offering real help where it counts.
More Than Volunteering
Greek America Corps is not “voluntourism.” It is service with intention. As stated in the Greek America Foundation Manifesto, we believe individuals matter—and that meaningful change begins when people choose to act. The program challenges volunteers to show up with humility, to listen, and to understand Greece not as a postcard, but as a living society with real needs and remarkable strength.
For those being served, the presence of volunteers sends a powerful message: you are not forgotten. For those serving, the experience often becomes a lifelong compass—shaping careers, values, and a lasting connection to Greece.
Applications for the 2026 Greek America Corps are now open. We invite motivated, compassionate young people who believe in service, responsibility, and shared humanity to take this step.
Links to the application pages for Athens, Thessaloniki, and Chios are available here.
Because Greek America is not just something we celebrate.
It is something we do. It’s our way of life.
P.S. Greek America Corps is made possible through generosity. If you believe in this work—and in the young people who answer the call to serve—please consider making a donation to support need-based scholarships for the program. These scholarships ensure that financial limitations never stand in the way of commitment, character, and the desire to help others. Your support doesn’t just fund a volunteer’s journey to Greece—it helps shape a new generation of leaders guided by philotimo, empathy, and action. Click here to sponsor a student or contact us here to make a planned gift to endow this program.