About YASC

Yes! YASC encourages the children, spouses, families and friends of alumni to register and participate as volunteers. Volunteers aged 12 and above are welcome when they are accompanied by a parent or guardian and participate in their assigned service activities. All youth 18 and under must be accompanied by a parent or designated guardian. Participants under the age of 14 will be assigned to the same community service activity as their parent or designated guardian who will be responsible for providing supervision during the assigned service project and throughout the duration of the service trip. YASC does not accommodate individuals below the age of 12. YASC does not accommodate individuals who do not participate in assigned service activities.

Projects are diverse and varied because YASC service trips are community-driven service. The host community has identified its needs, and with YASC, it has identified the projects for a particular trip to address the community’s needs. Projects have included arts and crafts, dance, entrepreneur workshops, sports, wellness & nutrition, financial literacy, fashion design, helping in community soup kitchens, mural painting, health care, light construction, singing, community gardens, trail making, robotics and much more.

Most projects do not require specialized skills. The Trip Producer and YASC staff will solicit input from volunteers regarding project interests and preferences, individual volunteer skills and abilities, and volunteer ideas for the identified project. Every effort will be made to assign volunteers to a project of their choice but cannot be guaranteed. YASC will specify the projects which do need specialized skills.

You don’t need to speak the local language to participate. YASC engages community translators, including local college students, for all the projects. 

It is the expectation of YASC that its volunteers devote 100% of their time to the program while in the host community and that volunteer use of cell phones/computers will be limited to scheduled program downtime and emergencies only.

No. The Yale Alumni Service Corps and Yale Alumni Academy are separate entities. The Yale Alumni Academy offers travel programs led by Yale faculty and experts.

YASC service trips support the University’s goals to enrich and enhance teaching, research, learning and service that explore and contribute to sustainability solutions. The service trips are a part of Yale’s mission to provide opportunities for alumni, students, faculty and Yale affiliates to engage and collaborate across disciplines and endeavors to shape a better future.

Yes, YASC is committed to fulfilling Yale’s dedication to sustainable development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. For more information about Yale’s commitment to its leadership role in sustainability teaching, research, operations and service, see Yale’s sustainability website.

In general, YASC service trip itineraries are full and active with a broad range of locales, service projects and activities. Typically, participants start the day with a morning meeting around 8:00 AM and work in the community until approximately 4:00 PM, followed a team meeting, dinner and a few hours of intercultural activities.

Physical and Mental Health: YASC service trips differ significantly from recreational travel. Depending on the location and project, participants may encounter remote settings, strenuous physical activity, intense cross-cultural immersion, and close interpersonal engagement with community members and fellow volunteers. Participation may also involve multiple emotional and psychological stressors.

All participants must be in good physical and mental health, and able to keep pace with the group. Any medical or mental health condition that may require assistance or accommodation must be disclosed at the time of your reservation. 

Accessibility: Some destinations present particular challenges for those with physical limitations, including cobblestoned streets, long staircases without railings, narrow corridors, and sites with very limited mobility access. Some sites have very limited access for those with impaired mobility. It is important to choose a trip that is right for you. Anyone who requires extraordinary assistance must bring a travel companion who will be responsible for providing that support. Program staff and project leaders cannot provide such aid due to their service responsibilities and liability constraints. We encourage you to contact YASC Director Joao Aleixo to discuss your needs at (203) 432-1943 or by email before reserving your spot. Once YASC understands your needs, we will work with you to determine whether a particular service trip is a good fit. 

Vegetarian diets generally can be accommodated. When registering for a trip, you must disclose any dietary restrictions or needs. For information on a particular trip, please refer to the service trip’s web page on the YASC website or contact YASC Director Joao Alexio to discuss your needs at (203) 432-1943 or by email.

Each service trip  listed on the YASC website includes a detailed profile describing the physical demands of the location and service project, travel conveyances, accommodations, altitude, weather conditions and more. We recommend reviewing these carefully and selecting a trip whose requirements match your stamina, fitness level, and overall ability. activity requirements for the service trip and service project you select. By submitting a deposit, participants certify that they do not have any physical, mental or other limitation that would create a hazard for themselves or fellow travelers. If you have any questions, please contact YASC Director Joao Aleixo at (203) 432-1943 or by email.

YASC recommends that you consult your own physician or health care provider for detailed travel health information. The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) has country-specific recommendations for vaccinations on the CDC Travelers’ Health website. 

YASC recommends that participants adhere to its recommendations for the well-being of both the trip participants and our local service community. Also, the CDC’s Travelers’ Health website has suggestions for a Healthy Packing List for specific countries on it's website. 

Check with your health insurer to verify whether your U.S. health insurance will cover you on the trip. In most cases, your health insurance is invalid in foreign countries. Although YASC does not recommend particular insurers, there are many reputable travel health insurers which are easily found on the Internet.

For your protection, YASC strongly recommends that you purchase travel insurance to help address possible issues such as your need to cancel your trip for an unexpected reason, flight delays or cancellations, lost luggage and other mishaps. After the final registration date, YASC trip fees are non-refundable.

There may be items needed for particular projects on a service trip. Please coordinate donations of needed project supplies through the Project Leaders or Trip Producer.

No. Please do not provide gifts directly to individual members of the community or to local organizations. Personal gifts disrupt the community nature of our work, may establish inequity and disruption, and may establish unrealistic expectations in the community of future gifts.

Yes. If you have an idea for a gift that you would like to make, please discuss it with a member of the YASC staff, the Trip Producer, or a member of the YASC Board. Gifts from volunteers are welcomed by YASC but are provided to the community by YASC as an organization.

Yes. Donations may be made to YASC and should be coordinated through YASC Director Joao Aleixo at (203) 432-1943 or a member of the YASC Board.

YASC maintains a fund built with financial donations that enables YASC to offer financial aid assistance for students and/or alumni to participate in a service trip. YASC encourages those volunteers who can to contribute to the fund.

No. YASC does not offer scholarships for the optional excursion trip. Purchasers of the optional excursion trip are ineligible for scholarships for the service program.

• As a YASC volunteer, I understand that I am an ambassador for and a representative of Yale and YASC and as such, my actions will reflect the core values and mission of Yale and YASC at all times during the service trip.
• I understand that YASC, in partnership with the local host community, has identified the needs of the community and developed goals and projects for the service trip.
• I understand that I am a guest of the local community and as such I will be respectful of the local values and traditions. I will seek to learn about our host community and culture, understand our similarities and our differences, and interact without assumptions or judgment.
• I will maintain an attitude of respect, courtesy, and understanding at all times, with an open mind to new ideas and procedures.
• I will communicate my skills and project preferences to the Trip Producer and will remain flexible in any way necessary to maximize the success of the service trip and the benefit to the host community, including adapting my project plans and skills to the needs of the specific project to which I am assigned.
• I will commit to working with other volunteers as a team and will accept the guidance and leadership of the Project Leaders, the Trip Producer, and YASC staff.
• I understand that youth volunteers age 12 and above are welcome on YASC service trips, provided that I, as their parent or guardian, accompany them and they participate in their assigned service activities. All youth 18 and under must be accompanied by a parent or designated guardian, Participants under the age of 14 will be assigned to the same community service activity to which I am assigned. I am responsible for providing supervision of the youth accompanying me during the assigned service project and throughout the duration of the service trip. I will not have individuals accompany me on the service trip who are under the age of 12 or who do not participate in assigned service activities.
• I understand that participation in a YASC service trip requires a commitment of time and effort in preparation for, as well as during the trip. I will commit to using my best efforts to: respond promptly to communications from the Project Leaders and the Trip Producer; participate in orientation activities as offered prior to the trip; and read all pre-trip newsletters. I will communicate clearly with the Project Leader regarding my availability to participate in pre-trip planning and will commit to making a best effort to support my team in planning and preparation.
• I understand the expectation of volunteering with YASC entails devoting 100% of my time to the program while in the host community and will restrict my use of a cell phone to scheduled program downtime and emergencies only.
• I will strive to remain flexible and adaptable throughout the trip, to keep an open mind, and to be prepared to change my understanding and my plans as needed.
• I will communicate any concerns as needed to the Project Leaders, Trip Producer, or YASC staff.
• If a problem or misunderstanding arises between myself and other trip participants, I will communicate respectfully with trip participants and attempt to resolve any problems cooperatively; discuss the matter with the Project Leader, Trip Producer, or YASC staff if I am not comfortable with direct communication or unable to otherwise resolve the matter.
• I understand that YASC in its sole discretion may revoke my admission or limit or terminate my participation, at my sole expense and without the refund of any service trip fees or other costs, at any time, if in YASC’s opinion, my behavior, actions or condition do not align with YASC’s service goals and objectives, jeopardize the success of the service trip, are disruptive, or when such an action is determined by YASC to be in the best interest of the my health and safety, or the general welfare of others.

• Julia Bailey ’93 MPhil, ’96 PhD, Board member since 2024
  Pasadena, CA
  Profession: Professor, Small Business Owner (costuming)
  #YASC Trips: 2
  Fort Mojave 2024, Poland 2026 (trip producer)
   
• Brooklyn Brauner ’26, Board member since 2025
  Sturgeon Bay, WI
  Profession: Yale College Student 
  #YASC Trips: 2
  Puerto Rico 2023, Fort Mojave 2024
   
• Andrew Burgie ’87, Board member since 2019
  Jamica, NY
  Profession: Industrial Hygienist
  #YASC Trips: 14
  China 2011, Nicaragua 2012, Ghana 2012, Nicaragua 2013, Ghana 2013, India 2014, Brazil 2016, Brazil 2017, Puerto Rico 2020, Puerto Rico 2023 (trip producer), Panama 2024 (community liaison), Brazil 2025, Argentina 2025, Peru 2026 (trip producer)
   
• Rosalia Burke ‘92, Vice-Chair, Board member since 2023
  Willis, TX
  Profession: Physician (Otolaryngology)
  #YASC Trips: 6
  DR 2019, Puerto Rico 2020, Puerto Rico 2023, Panama 2024 (community liaison), Argentina 2025, Peru 2026
   
• Jessica Niles DeHoff ’04 March, Board member since 2025
  Williamsburg, VA
  Profession: Architect and Artist
  #YASC Trips: 2
  Fort Mojave 2024, Brazil 2025
   
• Xiran Du ’12 MBA, Board member since 2025
  Irvine, CA
  Profession: Global Pharma and Biotech Director 
  #YASC Trips: 2
  Panama 2024, Argentina 2025
   
• Karen Green ’78, Board member since 2018
  Playa Del Rey, CA
  Profession: Attorney
  #YASC Trips: 4
  Fort Mojave 2017, Cape Town 2019, Fort Mojave 2024 (trip producer), Brazil 2025
   
• Ann Kennedy, Board member since 2020
  Arlington, VA
  Profession: Professor
  #YASC Trips: 8
  India 2015, Brazil 2017, Cape Town 2018, DR 2019, Puerto Rico 2020, Puerto Rico 2023, Fort Mojave 2024, Brazil 2025
   
• Alicia Morris ’99, Board member since 2024
  Miami, FL
  Profession: Professional Coach & HR Consultant
  #YASC Trips: 4
  Brazil 2016, DR 2019, Panama 2024 (trip producer), Brazil 2025
   
• Jamie Nicholson-Leener ’81, Board member since 2024
  New York, NY
  Profession: Emerging Markets Finance (former)
  #YASC Trips: 4
  Nicaragua 2014, India 2015, Ghana 2016, Argentina 2025
   
• Lata Prabhakar ’97, Chair, Board member since 2024
  San Juan, Puerto Rico
  Profession: Financial Software (former)
  #YASC Trips: 15
  DR 2008, Brazil 2009, Mexico 2009, China 2011, Ghana 2012, Ghana 2013 (co-trip producer), California 2014, Brazil 2016, Cuba 2017, Cape Town 2018, Puerto Rico 2020, Puerto Rico 2023, Brazil 2025, Argentina 2025, Peru 2026
   
• Jennifer Rendon ’20 DNP, Secretary, Board member since 2024
  Canyon Lake, TX
  Profession: Nurse Practitioner, Assistant Professor
  #YASC Trips: 2
  Fort Mojave 2024, Brazil 2025
   
• Ryan Sutherland '20 MPH, Board member since 2025
  New Haven, CT
  Profession: Student - MD Candidate at Yale School of Medicine 
  #YASC Trips: 1
  Brazil 2025