About us

We’re different

VISIONS has set the standard for international community service programs for high school students for 35 years. Collaborative service work and cross-cultural living help our teen volunteers understand a complicated world & learn meaningful ways to contribute productively.

The visions story

VISIONS has set the standard for community service programs for high school students for almost four decades. Our story began in the 1970s, when a few New York friends and educators relocated to a Pennsylvania farm to establish an experiential summer program for teens. The kids thrived by working together, embracing camaraderie, physical labor, and a shared sense of purpose.

Building on this foundation, VISIONS launched in 1988, taking these principles beyond the farm. Teens want to be part of something bigger, and VISIONS gives them the opportunity to work hard and achieve meaningful goals.

We have worked in each of our current program locations for 26 to 34+ years. This commitment to our host communities gives participants the opportunity to connect with local people who welcome them like family, and who help them discover everything they are capable of.

See all past VISIONS locations.

Our accomplishments

Construction Projects

More than 1,500 labor projects, including:

26 Community Centers
3 Medical Clinics
66 Homes
27 Schools
60 Playgrounds
Plus, wheelchair ramps, firehouses, park pavilions, powwow arbors, fences, baseball dugouts, wood sheds, outhouses, bridges, dog houses, remodels, renovations and more.