I was thirteen when I began volunteering with Global Brigades in the summer of 2021. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the program—normally held in person—shifted online. From my home in Boston, my older sister and I worked with a refugee entrepreneur in Athens to build a website and create a marketing strategy for his small business (an export/ import company of African goods). It was my first exposure to Greece’s immigration crisis—and the start of my journey into social impact work.

Although I’ve never lived in Greece, it has always felt like home. I was born in London in 2008 and moved to the U.S. as a baby, but every summer, my family returns to Greece—mainly to Crete, where both of my parents grew up. My parents are first-generation immigrants in the U.S., so I was raised in a Greek-speaking household where being part of the diaspora was central to my identity. While my friends in Boston spent summers on the Cape, my sister and I spent ours in Greece, often volunteering. Through my mother’s travel company, Kids Love Greece, we participated in activities like beach cleanups and disability workshops.

These early experiences, though small at the time, planted the seed for my interest in volunteering. One year, we organized a beach cleanup in Crete. Another year, we led a children’s workshop during a World Council of Cretans conference in Rethymno. I also joined a TEDx youth event in Anogeia, where I helped launch a game inspired by Minoan history. So when I joined Global Brigades, it felt less like a new beginning and more like a continuation of the values I had grown up with.

We discovered Global Brigades as they launched a pilot program in Greece to engage U.S. students in community-based volunteer work. Though originally intended for college, I became the first—and only—middle schooler to participate. It was a bold step, but even in such an uncertain time, I was eager to take on the challenge.

That experience left a lasting impression. Working with Julian, a Congolese entrepreneur, opened my eyes to a side of Greece I hadn’t seen—one shaped by displacement and inequality. We built a website and created a social media content calendar to grow his business. I learned skills in marketing, communication, and cross-cultural collaboration. While he gained valuable tools, I gained a deeper understanding of a part of Greece marked by resilience and hardship.

In July 2024, I returned to Greece for a five-day, in-person Global Brigades program in Athens. I worked on business consulting for refugee entrepreneurs, led social media projects, supported a disability awareness workshop, and joined a climate action initiative. We also volunteered at a soup kitchen and participated in an environmental cleanup with the nonprofit Humanity Greece.

The 2021 and 2024 projects taught me how to support refugee-run businesses sustainably—by creating tools they could continue using long after. I saw how short-term work can make a lasting impact when built around real needs. Most importantly, I learned volunteering is about listening, learning, and building genuine connections.

These experiences deepened my connection to Greece beyond family traditions. Volunteering showed me the country not just as my roots, but as a place facing complex challenges. Fluent in Greek, I found myself bridging the diaspora and local communities. Through Global Brigades, I saw the immigration crisis firsthand and helped refugee-run businesses using tools like SWOT analysis. Some clients and participants spoke little English, so I used Greek to lead conversations and workshops. I’m thankful my parents encouraged me to take the Ellinomatheia exams—earning a Greek proficiency diploma helped me contribute fully.

In 2023, I joined a smaller volunteer event in Athens led by “Love Van”, cooking meals for individuals recovering from addiction. It reminded me that impact doesn’t always come through big programs. Sometimes, small acts of compassion leave the deepest impression.

These experiences have shaped how I see my role in the world. I’ve learned to value empathy, collaboration, and cultural understanding. I’ve become more confident in my ability to lead projects and contribute ideas. I’ve also started thinking more seriously about how young people—especially those of us in the diaspora—can support the countries we come from in meaningful ways.

Volunteering has changed my perspective—not just on Greece, but on myself. It has helped me understand that meaningful service isn’t about doing the biggest thing, but about showing up consistently and with purpose. I believe volunteering should come from genuine interest and values, not just for school requirements or college applications. Everyone should consider it—not only because it supports communities, but because it challenges and empowers you to grow.

In the summer of 2025, I plan to launch a new community service program in Crete. My goal is to bring together Greek diaspora teens and local Greek students to work side-by-side on projects that support vulnerable populations—from refugee support and environmental cleanups to youth workshops and food insecurity efforts. While the focus will begin in Crete, I hope to expand the program to Athens in the future. This vision is deeply personal. I began volunteering alongside my parents and sister, participating in informal activities like cleanups and youth events. Over time, I moved into structured programs like Global Brigades, and now I’m ready to take the lead—building something that empowers other teens to get involved and make a difference. 

In addition, one of my longer-term goals is to help shift the culture around volunteering in Greece, especially among teens. Community service is not yet widely embraced by Greek youth, and I hope my program can inspire more local students to get involved—not just as volunteers, but as changemakers.  

I encourage others to explore voluntourism, combining travel with service; it’s one of the most enriching ways to experience a place—through connection, learning, and shared impact. Because in the end, meaningful change starts when someone decides to show up—and keeps showing up.

Melina Liodakis