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Spotlighting Milestone Volunteers: 20, 10 & 5 Years of Service

April 9, 2026

April is National Volunteer Month — a time to celebrate the people who show up, week after week, to make a difference in our communities.

In 2025, Affordable Homes & Communities (AHC) reached a milestone: 2,460 volunteers donated over 22,300 hours — nearly double the volunteer power than the year before. From food distribution and tutoring to mentoring and community events, their contributions strengthen our Resident Services and create a lasting impact on the lives of the people we serve.

This month, we’re spotlighting some of our longest-tenured volunteers — those who have been with us for 20, 10, and 5 years. We asked them to reflect on what keeps them coming back and the moments that have stayed with them. Read their responses below and join us in celebrating the amazing impact of AHC’s volunteer community.

20-Year Volunteers

Terron Sims

“I can’t say that I have a favorite aspect of my volunteering with AHC. My experience is so multifaceted that to say that there is a favorite would be a disservice to all the wonderful experiences I have had with AHC and the opportunities awarded to me due to my volunteerism.

At the end of the day, I do what I do for the kids — serving as a positive example and mentor to them and assisting them in how to navigate and tackle both school and life — is what it’s all about.

The best part of volunteering with AHC is that if you do it long enough, it becomes a part of your family and thus, truly makes you a part of the community, not just a weekly volunteer.”

10-Year Volunteers

Ryan Hoang

“I have always liked to help and consider myself a teacher at heart. I was a TA in college and worked at summer camp, so volunteering at the Teen program feels like a natural continuation of that. I live within walking distance of the Gates of Ballston, which makes it easy to show up consistently every week.

I enjoy being a reliable presence there and am always happy to help with math homework.”

Peter Pfeifer

“My favorite part of volunteering is working with one student and seeing them develop. I’m still in touch with two graduates — one is a student at UVA and calls when he is visiting Arlington. The other goes to NOVA; he calls to talk, and we saw a play together recently.

During COVID, I spoke weekly via Zoom with a student. I could tell how important it was for the student to have weekly interactions during such a difficult time. We did schoolwork via Zoom — things like English papers and writing lab reports.”

5-Year Volunteers

Rachael Cooper

“My favorite part of volunteering with AHC is the relationships I’ve been able to form with the students.

One time I saw impact was when I led a job search/resume workshop. Some students came into the session with no knowledge of applications and came out with a base for a resume.

It was great to see them make progress toward their goals.”

Gabe Holder

“My favorite part of volunteering with AHC is getting to work with the same teens over a long period of time. Often, it takes a while for the kids to open up and trust random strangers, so it is great to be able to be a constant, hopefully positive part of their lives, and see how they come to trust and respect the relationship more as time goes on.

With the first teen whom I tutored, I remember being really proud after he had a math test that he ended up with a good score on. He told me that he just kept thinking to himself, “What would Gabe ask me to do now?” and knowing I could have that positive influence was really rewarding!”

Susan Leland

“My favorite part of volunteering with AHC is building a relationship with one student over time, getting to know them, and helping them figure out and achieve their goals.

A couple of years ago, I had a student who struggled with writing and lacked confidence.

We spent a lot of time working together on her application essays, and she also sought my assistance with her class writing assignments. Throughout this process, her confidence grew significantly, and she was pleased with her college outcomes. After starting as a B student in high school, she now has a 3.8 GPA in a challenging major.”

Susi Lill

“I have a number of ‘favorite parts’ of volunteering, including the community of students, staff, and other volunteers working together; the ‘aha’ moments when a student ‘gets it’; and, having been with some of the same kids for several years in a row, the eye-opening experience of seeing them grow, learn, and change — there’s a lot of development in just a few years.”

Steve Meyerson

“My favorite part of volunteering with AHC is seeing how a relationship can grow — from what is often hesitation or even reluctance on the part of a student to engage, to one where both parties genuinely look forward to their weekly time together and see real growth, both academically and personally, in a young adult.”

Joy Nakayama

“My favorite things about volunteering are seeing the students have fun, knowing I was able to help someone with homework, working through math with older students and seeing it click, and helping younger students with a STEM project. It can be challenging for them to get through all the steps, but they get excited when they see the end result.”

Erik Pages

“Engaging with the kids is a real pleasure. It can sometimes feel tough to leave work and drive over to volunteer, but I’m always energized after being with the kids.

As in life, 90% of the game is showing up. If you commit to volunteering on a sustained basis, the students become more open and engaged.

It’s a great experience for volunteers and students alike.”

Raymond Persino

“My favorite part of volunteering is showing up every week to interact with residents and other volunteers. I live in the neighborhood, so I like doing something in my community. I sometimes see residents out in the neighborhood.”

Billie Shoemaker

“My favorite part of tutoring is definitely the students. I spent a year or more with each of my students in the high school and middle school programs. Each one was incredibly bright and funny, but also polite and respectful. Now, I’m enjoying new, younger faces in the elementary school program.

There is much joy in reading with a child, in helping them sound out and understand a new word or putting a sentence together. The confidence it gives them is a gift to see.”

Kristin Smith

“I started volunteering at the end of COVID. I could see and feel the importance of engaging with residents who had been isolated, in addition to helping provide nourishment. It’s true that volunteers get as much out of the experience as the residents do.”

Bibiane Uwera

“Working with kids and young people energizes me. I like to help them with their school assignments, hear what they are reading, and encourage them to read and open their minds. As opportunities arise, I love to share with them how my work relates to some of my earlier schoolwork.”

Explore AHC’s volunteer opportunities.

Spotlighting Milestone Volunteers: 20, 10 & 5 Years of Service