Secretary of State Awards for Volunteerism Abroad
SOSA: A Living Legacy
Chronicling the Foreign Service families whose reach extends far beyond their official roles — volunteers, advocates, and changemakers leaving lasting impact in communities across 35 countries and 7 bureaus.
Since 1990
Award established
7
Geographic bureaus
2022–2025
Report period
4,000+
Volunteer hours (single post)
Impact 2022–2025
Grassroots Impact Across Multiple Pillars
From refugee bicycles in Ireland to ASL classrooms in Tajikistan, SOSA awardees are weaving lasting change into the communities they serve.
Supports Sustainable Community Development
Mentorship, refugee support, and grassroots programs that build lasting community capacity.
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Expands Access and Opportunity
Education, the arts, and skill-building that open doors for the next generation.
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Promotes Environmental Responsibility
Animal welfare, sustainable agriculture, and waste-to-housing innovation across continents.
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Strengthens Embassy–Host Country Collaboration
Service that deepens diplomatic ties and supports communities through crisis and renewal.
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Reach
Volunteers Around the World
Every country where a named SOSA awardee or honorable mention served, 2022–2025.
What remains most meaningful to me is the realization that even small acts of service can create lasting ripples of hope, belonging, and connection. Whether through remembrance projects, ministry, cultural exchange, or community outreach, I have seen firsthand how relationships built through service endure far beyond a single assignment or posting.
Our Partners
Sustaining the SOSA program
Three organizations whose long-standing partnership makes this recognition of Foreign Service volunteerism possible.
UCCF
Una Chapman Cox Foundation
The Una Chapman Cox Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the effectiveness, professionalism, and long-term capacity of the U.S. Foreign Service.
ADST
Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training
The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training (ADST) maintains the world's largest collection of U.S. diplomatic oral histories and produces podcasts, videos, books, publications, and the “Moments in U.S. Diplomatic History” online series.
GCLO
Global Community Liaison Office
The Global Community Liaison Office (GCLO) supports U.S. Foreign Service employees and families by providing resources, programs, and advocacy to improve quality of life, mobility, and community support during overseas service.
Stand with the Foreign Service community
AAFSW advocates for, supports, and celebrates the people behind American diplomacy worldwide.