You could spend this spring break watching Netflix and cleaning sand out of all your clothes. Or you could spend it in the nation’s capital working with a group of 25 college-aged women to empower women and girls in service and advocacy.

Since 2009, Reimagining Service has sought to increase the impact of volunteers through new research and practices as well as initiatives that have changed the way the corporate, nonprofit and public sectors engage volunteers. The coalition has helped shift “the mindset of organizations and individuals regarding the value of volunteers” by highlighting “compelling data and exemplary organizations to demonstrate that strategic volunteer engagement is a cost-effective approach to building organizational capacity.”

I recently learned about high school students who are volunteering to help prepare tax returns for people who are low-income, elderly, disabled or speak limited English. While many United Ways offer the opportunity for adults to participate in Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs, I am especially inspired by these students and want to share their story to promote EITC Awareness Day.