🌿 Winter 2026/27 — Costa Rica & Dominican Republic cohorts depart December 26.  Learn More →
HELP2SERVE.CARE

Service That Changes
You. And Those You Serve. Forever.

This is not a trip — it is a transformation. Our signature 21-Day Immersion turns a single experience into career development, leadership growth, academic advancement, research opportunities, service-learning, professional mentorship, and global citizenship — all at once. Fourteen days of structured service in healthcare, conservation, or community development & childhood education are followed by seven days of guided cultural exploration of the place you just gave yourself to. For schools, universities, organizations, and mission-driven groups, we also design custom immersions with flexible timing and length. Every program is built to foster meaningful engagement, lasting change, and a lifelong commitment to service — challenging participants to grow through purposeful action, cultural connection, and real-world impact that changes the participant as it strengthens the communities they serve — forever.

Explore All Programs → Apply for DR 2026

HELP2SERVE.CARE · U.S.-Based 501(c)(3) · Sustained Behavior Change Through Global Service Since 2006

I want to

Explore My Service Path

Phase One · 14-Day Service Immersion

I want to

Lead a Movement

Start a campus service chapter

I'm ready to

Commit to Service

Begin your service commitment today
30,000+
Volunteers
4.85/5
Average Service Program Rating
3M+
Hours of Structured Service
150+
Global Partners
350+
University Partners Worldwide
Get Involved

There Are Many Ways to Join the Movement

Service doesn't begin at the airport — and it doesn't end when you come home. Whether you're ready to serve abroad, lead at your school, mentor a future participant, attend an info session, or simply learn more, there's a pathway for you. Explore nine ways to engage with HELP2SERVE.CARE and take one meaningful step today.

🌍 Global Immersion Programs 🎓 Campus Chapters & Leadership 🏛️ Faculty Partnerships 🤝 Alumni & Ambassadors 📘 Ethical Service-Learning 🚀 Career & Leadership Development 🌱 Behavior Change Initiatives 💻 Virtual Info Sessions & Events 🏡 Local Service Pathways
Explore All Ways to Get Involved →
Who We Are
The Volunteers Who Came Before You Built This Legacy.
You Carry It Forward.

Built on 20+ Years of Proven Global Impact

HELP2SERVE.CARE is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) and the official steward of the ISV legacy — carrying forward 20+ years of transformative global service built by the thousands of volunteers who came before you. Their dedication, their hours, and their relationships with communities around the world created this foundation. You carry it forward.

30,000+ volunteers. 3M+ hours of structured service. Recognition from the U.S. State Department, the President's Council on Service, and the World Youth & Student Travel Confederation. This is a structured service-learning program grounded in sustained behavior change, academic integrity, and measurable community impact — built by the volunteers who came before you.

Our Why: to create sustained behavior change — within volunteers and the communities we serve — through meaningful global service grounded in decades of trusted experience. Our How: by delivering structured, immersive, safe, and well-supported service-learning rooted in one of the world's most respected volunteer legacies. Our What: immersive global programs that transform service into lasting community impact — and inspire careers, meaningful connections, and a lifelong commitment to giving back.

Our Story our Legacy of Recognition
Volunteers hiking in the Dominican Republic mountains
As Featured on the Discovery Channel
With Larry King — our story told on national television
Volunteer with child
Adventure in Dominican Republic
Group in Australia
Volunteer community work
Where You'll Serve

Currently Accepting Applications

Each destination features our Signature 21-Day Immersion Experience, beginning with Phase One: 14 days of structured service-learning immersion in health-focused initiatives, conservation, or community development and childhood education. Participants then have the opportunity to continue into Phase Two: 7 days of guided cultural exploration, thoughtfully designed to deepen reflection and strengthen the impact of the service experience. This integrated model is built to promote sustained behavior change, meaningful engagement, and a lifelong commitment to service. Additional destinations will be introduced in the near future. Custom group immersions are available, offering flexibility in dates, program duration, and destination to meet the specific goals of your group.

🟢 Enrolling Now 🟡 Early Planning
🇩🇴

Dominican Republic

Phase One: 14-Day Service Immersion · Phase Two: 7-Day Cultural Exploration · Custom Immersion Options

Explore →
🟢 Enrolling Now 🟡 Early Planning
🇨🇷

Costa Rica

Phase One: 14-Day Service Immersion · Phase Two: 7-Day Cultural Exploration · Custom Immersion Options

Explore →
🟡 Early Planning
🇦🇺

Australia

Phase One: 14-Day Service Immersion · Phase Two: 7-Day Cultural Exploration · Custom Immersion Options

Explore →
View All Programs & Apply →
Service Pathways

14 Days of Structured Service Immersion

Our global immersion experiences are designed for students and emerging leaders seeking meaningful global engagement — where passion, purpose, and real-world impact intersect. Participants may choose between integrated multi-track immersions combining health, conservation, and community development, or pursue specialized service-learning pathways focused on a specific area of impact. Programs are currently offered in the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Australia, with additional destinations and custom immersion opportunities continuing to expand through ongoing global partnerships.

↓ Tap a Pill to Switch View ↓
OR

Choose all three. One unified cohort serves communities through Health, Conservation, and Community Outreach for 14 immersive days — with three integrated specialization days designed to deepen your expertise or introduce you to each focus area through hands-on, interdisciplinary learning.

Path 1

The Integrated Immersion

Health volunteer work

Health-Focused Immersions

Health is one of three pillars woven into your 14-day Integrated cohort. Three specialization days deepen your focus alongside an embedded U.S.-licensed clinician — plus eleven days inside the unified cohort with future educators and conservation scientists.

Apply — Integrated Immersion
Conservation

Conservation Immersions

Conservation is one of three pillars in the Integrated Immersion. Three specialization days take you to partner regenerative agriculture sites, biodiversity monitoring with local biologists, and field research — within a cohort that connects ecology back to community wellbeing.

Apply — Integrated Immersion
Community and education

Community Development & Childhood Education

Community Leadership & Education is one of three pillars in the Integrated Immersion. Three specialization days deepen your focus in curriculum design, classroom leadership, and environmental education — alongside peers who bring their own disciplines to every project.

Apply — Integrated Immersion
Service in Action

14 Days of Structured Service — The Work That Defines You

Volunteers
Group
Health immersion
Volunteers doing construction work
Coral restoration
Phase Two · 7-Day Cultural Exploration

Beyond the Project

After 14 days of immersive service, most participants opt-in to continue into Phase Two — guided cultural exploration designed to deepen reflection, strengthen cohort bonds, and place service within a broader regional context.

Dominican Republic Phase Two

🇩🇴 Dominican Republic

150-foot waterfall rappelling, whitewater rafting on the Yaque del Norte River, and iconic Caribbean landscapes — placing service within its full regional context.

View DR Itinerary
Costa Rica Phase Two

🇨🇷 Costa Rica

Epic rappelling at Pino Blanco, Class III–IV whitewater rafting through jungle canyons, volcanic landscapes, and a Maleku Indigenous community cultural exchange.

View CR Itinerary
Australia Phase Two

🇦🇺 Australia

Sydney to Cairns — Opera House harbor cruise, Blue Mountains, Byron Bay surfing, Great Barrier Reef snorkeling, and Tully River Grade III–IV rapids as a farewell.

View AU Itinerary
Total Program: 21 Days All-Inclusive

Phase One builds purpose. Phase Two deepens it — through shared adventure, cultural immersion, and the kind of experiences that bond a cohort for life.

Service · Costa Rica & Dominican Republic · Winter 2026/27

Winter 2026/27 Application Deadline — September 15, 2026

Applications for our Winter 2026/27 Integrated Immersion cohorts in Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic — departing December 26 — close September 15, 2026.

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Apply — Winter 2026/27 → See All Destinations
Voices from the Field

The Volunteers Whose Service Built This Legacy

★★★★★

"There are no words to describe how incredibly amazing this trip was. I signed up to impact the Dominican Republic — I didn't realize how much it would also impact me."

Ariel
New Jersey
★★★★★

"My summer in Costa Rica was the best experience of my life. I feel like I am a new person. I am educated, aware, and finally feel passionate about something. Thank you so much."

Robin W.
CSU Long Beach
★★★★★

"ISV has changed my life. I got a taste of a different way of living. Life was simple yet so exciting. I made friends I'll never forget and will always love."

Malarie
University of Washington
DR Stories Costa Rica Stories Australia Stories
Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Starting a campus chapter is easier than you think! We invite students to found HELP2SERVE Global | HELP2SERVE.CARE Campus Chapters at their universities. We provide a step-by-step Campus Chapter Playbook, leadership onboarding, branding materials, interest meeting templates, and ongoing mentorship — so you're never starting from scratch. Express your interest and we'll be in touch within 1 business day. Learn more about starting a chapter →

HELP2SERVE.CARE programs are designed for college-aged students and adults (18+) — whether you are a student, young adult, adult demonstrating purpose, gap year participant, pre-health professional, early-career or practicing clinician, or family participant committed to service. There is no upper age limit.

Participants under 18 are welcome but follow a separate application process and are typically hosted within a custom immersion with additional accompanying adult supervision and support. For those under 18, please enquire directly about opportunities.

No prior language knowledge is required. For Latin American programs, HELP2SERVE.CARE offers an optional Spanish Language & Cultural Immersion Week before your main program. Program leaders and local partners are experienced working with English-speaking volunteers.

Yes! Nearly 2,000 students from 350+ universities have earned academic credit for ISV program participation. You work with your academic advisor to arrange independent study credit. HELP2SERVE.CARE provides course syllabi, on-site evaluations, and documentation of service hours to support your credit application.

View All FAQs
Apply

Start Your Journey

Find the service pathway that aligns with your career goals, academic objectives, and philanthropic purpose — from programs enrolling now to early planning options through 2029 and beyond. From the moment you apply, we begin working with you on your service goals and pre-departure preparation. Early applicants receive priority placement.

Explore All Destinations → View Pricing & Inclusions
Design a custom service immersion for your group →
Volunteers at sunset
Impact Your World

Dominican Republic · Costa Rica · Australia · & Beyond

Apply Now 2026 through 2029

🟢 DR Open Now 🟡 DR Early Planning 🟢 CR Open Now 🟡 CR Early Planning 🟡 AU Early Planning
HELP2SERVE.CARE

Built on a Foundation of Service — 20+ Years of Global Recognition

🏆 Top 10 Volunteer Org — U.S. State Dept
🎖️ President's Volunteer Service Award
📺 Discovery Channel Feature with Larry King
⭐ 4.85/5 · 30,000+ Volunteers
🌍 WYSE Outstanding Project Award
See the Full Legacy of Recognition →
Connect

Get Answers to Your Questions

Our team is here to walk you through every step — from first questions to departure day and beyond.

📧

Email Our Team →

info@help2serve.care — we respond within 1 business day.
📞

Call Us Directly →

+1 (415) 669-0055 · Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm PT

Stay in the Loop

Get monthly updates on program dates, application windows, campus events, info sessions, and new ways to serve.

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How You Fund It

Cost should never be the reason you can’t go.

Most participants don’t simply write a check — they fundraise their way there, and we hand them the playbook to do it. Between fundraising support, scholarships, and awards for those who bring a group, “I’m going” is far more reachable than it first looks.

A fundraising playbook

Templates, campaign tools, and a step-by-step plan. Most participants cover a meaningful share of their program cost this way.

Scholarships & awards

Need-aware support and recognition awards help committed participants close the gap and get to the field.

Lead a group, go further

Bring friends as an Ambassador and earn graduated awards toward your own cost — up to fully covered.

Get the free Fundraising Guide →
Explore programs & apply →  ·  See cost & what’s included
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