When teens step out of their comfort zone to help people they don't know, they feel confident. Hero Images/Getty Images/Hero Images hide caption
volunteering
Nov. 22: Volunteers prepared Thanksgiving dinners for people in the Queens borough of New York City, which was hit hard by Superstorm Sandy. Mario Tama/Getty Images hide caption
With your help, we spent a month sharing stories about Americans taking action to make their world a better place. Milos Luzanin/iStockphoto.com hide caption
Using soccer to teach math. Caroline Lacey for NPR hide caption
Austin College student Naureen Dharani, center, with new friends at an afterschool program. Courtesy of Austin College hide caption
The women of Dames Gone Wild: Carol Hasbrouck, Sharon Saraga and Joyce Claflin. Courtesy of DGW hide caption
Indiana University student volunteers participate at the Middle Way House fundraising events held in spring 2012. Courtesy of Indiana University hide caption
Rescued food waiting to be delivered. Courtesy of Boulder Food Rescue hide caption
Discovering the natural world at Harlem Grown. Courtesy of Harlem Grown hide caption