2023 AFS Volunteer Awards
Supported by 50,000 volunteers worldwide, AFS empowers people of all ages to live, lead and collaborate in diverse settings—in their local communities and around the world. Driven by the mission to foster greater intercultural understanding, AFS volunteers have built a global AFS community of more than 1 million people committed to creating a more just and peaceful world.
AFS Galatti Award
Established in 1983, the AFS Galatti Award honors AFS volunteers whose longtime commitment, dedication and exceptional journey with the organization have advanced the AFS mission and created an impact. It is awarded in honor of Stephen Galatti, who was Director General of AFS for more than 28 years (1936-1964) and who built and transformed AFS into a world-wide organization that promotes peace and global awareness through intercultural learning experiences.
Peggy and Art Howe Award
Established in 2016, Peggy and Art Howe Award honors the outstanding service of AFS volunteer families. This award is inspired by the Howe family, who volunteered for AFS for more than six decades. Art Howe was a volunteer AFS Ambulance Driver in World War II, President of AFS (1965-1971), and Life Trustee until his passing in 2014.
Young AFS Volunteer Award
Volunteerism has an important role to play in harnessing the potential of young people, and in AFS, young volunteers make fundamental contributions to promote intercultural understanding. Established in 2015, the Young AFS Volunteer Award for Outstanding Service recognizes AFS volunteers under the age of 30 whose exceptional contributions to the organization have made a difference in advancing the mission and goals of AFS.
Community Impact Award
Our newest award, established in 2023, the AFS Community Impact Award for Standout Local Chapters recognizes the exceptional efforts AFS Local Chapters do every day to further the AFS Mission.
Beyond the Call of Duty
Created to recognize actions where AFS volunteers go above and beyond their normal, day-to-day volunteer work, embodying the spirit of AFS Volunteer Ambulance Drivers who founded our organization more than 100 years ago.
AFS Turkey Volunteers
This year’s winners are the AFS Turkey volunteers, for their work after the earthquake that happened in February 2023. AFS Turkey staff and volunteers organized from the very beginning to support the people affected. AFS Volunteers who spoke various languages (thanks to their AFS year in various AFS countries) were responsible for meeting the foreign rescue teams at the airport in Istanbul, taking them to the field, and helping them when needed. Afterwards, they launched the AFS Youth Tent Project, to support young earthquake survivors between the ages of 15-25. The project provides a space for young earthquake survivors to connect, learn, and accelerate their well-being through a variety of non-formal youth activities.
We also want to acknowledge the passing of Ege Okant during the earthquake. Ege was a longtime volunteer and AFS alumna to Costa Rica and Denmark.
Globally connected through volunteerism
AFS thanks all our volunteers who, with their efforts, commitment and dedication, make a positive contribution to society. Thank you for continuing to champion the AFS mission of intercultural understanding even in challenging times like these. Thank you for investing so much of your time and enthusiasm in continuously supporting AFS students, host families, sending families, schools, and local communities. You are an inspiration to us all!