As a non-profit organization we rely heavily on the support of our volunteers to help raise awareness and support of Akshaya Patra. We have a small team and limit operational costs to ensure that we can focus our efforts on feeding the millions of children in India who depend on us.
The age of our volunteers varies. Our Youth Ambassadors range in age from 8 to 25. Our Youth Coordinators (Team Managers) are 30 years and older.
Yes. We are currently developing a system to ensure that our Youth Ambassadors have an understanding of who we are and what your role with Akshaya Patra consists of. For now, when you sign up on our website, we will connect you with the Team Manager of a chapter near you. The team manager will then update you and be your point of contact with any questions you may have. Once you have spoken with your Team Manager, you will be able to join meetings and meet with other Youth Ambassadors in your area to design and implement events.
Yes. Anytime you spend working on events and participating can be applied toward your volunteering hours for school.
Yes. Please ask your Team Manager (Youth Coordinator) to submit a request on your behalf to mike@apusa.org or geeta@apusa.org and we will send you a certificate.
Yes, after one year of volunteering service with Akshaya Patra, we reward our Youth Ambassadors with certificates.
Yes. We are currently developing an information packet to help new Youth Ambassadors get started with their fundraising projects. This will be found on our website in the Youth Ambassador section before the end of April 2021.
Yes, Youth Ambassadors that have participated in fundraising events and awareness projects can request Letters of recommendation through their Team Managers.
Not necessarily. Youth Ambassadors can participate by spreading awareness of Akshaya Patra as well. We recommend pairing this objective with fundraising events/activities, but you are not required to raise money to be a part of the Youth Ambassadors within your chapter.
Yes, youth ambassadors should let us know about their travel to a particular city in India. We have 61 kitchens across 14 States & 2 Union Territories in India. We will connect you with our team in India and help you volunteer at the kitchen and schools.
It depends on how much time you want to allocate to the program. We understand that school and work obligations are important and we want you to maintain those commitments. Each month will vary, and it really depends on how much time you would like to commit. To be successful in our program, we suggest devoting at least 4-5 hours a month to our YA Program. This will allow you to attend meetings and plan events with your Chapters YA team.
APUSA’s marketing team will be able to help you create a fundraising campaign on our website. You need to share your photo and message along with your fundraising goal. Please contact: mike@apusa.com for more information.
Yes! We ask that you have a parent supervisor for any chapters prior to college (6th – 12th grade), but if you would like to start one at your college/university, we encourage our college ambassadors to create a chapter on campus. The program outline for college ambassadors is currently in development and if you are interested, we would love to work with you to develop a College program that we can use around the country.
Each chapter is different, but as the program currently stands, we have Junior Ambassadors (ages: 8 – 13) and Leadership Ambassadors (ages: 14 – 18). Each Chapter should collaborate as a team. You will identify roles and responsibilities within that team for each event. The goal is to wear multiple hats and gain experience in multiple positions within your Chapters Youth Ambassadors in order to maximize your understanding of the full range of titles within an organization.
For any additional questions or information, please contact ashwini@apusa.org.
