Our Story

Dream Volunteers was formed in 2007 by Executive Director Brian Buntz, a former Peace Corps Volunteer and classroom teacher, and Eric Lochtefeld, a Bay Area entrepreneur. It is a 501(c)(3) public charity.

Dream Volunteers began by providing financial support to promising teens in Guatemala and India. The first US cohort was launched in 2010 with 14 brave, young pioneers from Summit Preparatory and Everest Public High School in Redwood City, CA. These students, like those on scholarship in India and Guatemala, expressed such a strong desire to learn, lead and “do good in the world.” The vision grew to provide the resources and the opportunities for aspiring young people all over the globe to become the changemakers they aspired to be.

Today, Dream Volunteers has grown to now work with more than 20 partner schools throughout the US and Canada. Thousands of young changemakers travel to destinations as far-reaching as the Costa Rican mountain highlands and the desert city of Jaipur, India. Volunteers come from schools and universities in the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia. Students and families work and collaborate together, immersing in local cultures and communities in our primary destinations. And international scholars participate in Dream Volunteers schools, scholarships, and development projects.

Our Backstory

Watch what inspired the mission and vision of Dream Volunteers

Our
Mission

To connect and educate young people across the globe to address today’s most pressing challenges in and beyond their own communities.

Our
Vision

We believe that educated and globally connected youth are the key to creating a more just world, which is why we aim to extend students’ learning beyond the classroom by engaging them in programs involving service, global citizenship and cross-cultural connections. Collectively, our students form a global network of peers ready to step into the active role of changing their communities our world. We envision an equitable and sustainable world where all youth believe in their power and responsibility to change the things they are unwilling to accept

Our
Promise

We promise to challenge and deeply engage our participants by nudging them outside their comfort zones and encouraging them to consider alternate perspective and listen to/learn from each other. By traveling to communities in the world not often visited and connecting students from very different backgrounds and geographies, we offer a transformative experience that will open their hearts, arms, and minds!

EDUCATION

Dream Volunteers provides academic access and beyond-the-classroom experiences for students in the U.S., Vietnam, Costa Rica, Ghana, Guatemala and India.

TRAVEL

Educators and students gain a whole new perspective on the world (and themselves) through our service trips and custom gap programs.

SERVICE LEARNING

Whether organic farming in Costa Rica, sorting food in the U.S. or launching a tutoring center in India, the service projects are always locally-selected and locally-led.

CROSS CULTURAL CONNECTIONS

Our students create lasting bonds across borders, both in-person and online, that deepen their understanding of cultures, languages and perspectives.

Click here to see all about our impact on youth and their impact on our world.

OUR STAFF

None of our dreams would be possible without the talent and commitment of our leaders around the world. These passionate individuals are devoted to our mission, helping to make change and empower a new generation of changemakers every day. We are growing. If you’d like to support our mission by joining our team, we encourage you to contact us.

VALERIA
SANDOVAL
Operations & Program Manager
FATAI
HEIMULI
Program Coordinator
BRIAN
BUNTZ
Executive Director
STEVE
HAMBRIGHT
Senior Program Director
THUONG
HOANG TRAN
Vietnam Program Director
SURENDRA
SHARMA
India Program Director
AMARILIS
BIXCUL CASTRO
Guatemala Program Director
CYRIL
OTIEKU-BOADU
Ghana Program Director
CAROLINA
MATA
Costa Rica Program Director
OUR BOARD

We are fortunate to have a dedicated and accomplished board with a wide range of expertise and talents. Together, they’re helping Dream Volunteers create change for generations to come.

AUKEEM
BALLARD
Educator & Nonprofit Leader
KAREN
WHITE
Business Leader
JASMINE
VICTORIA
Executive Leadership Coach
MENG
XU
Business Leader
BRIAN
JOHNSRUD
Educator & Business Leader
ANNA
WOLDE-YOHANNES
Educator & Nonprofit Leader
TINA
HSIAO
Business Leader
ROSA
ESTRADA
Finance Professional
JACKIE
HENDY
Business Leader

PARTNERS &
SUPPORTERS

SUPPORTERS

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

EDUCATION PARTNERS

Contact Us

Get more information on Dream Volunteers and our programs.