Meet Our Young Changemakers

Annalise Ho

Annalise is a high-achieving senior at Dauphin County Technical School with a 4.0 GPA, actively preparing for a future in dental healthcare. In addition to earning certifications in OSHA, HIPAA, and Radiation Health and Safety, she has gained clinical experience through internships and works as a sterilization technician. Annalise stands out as a decorated SkillsUSA competitor with gold medals at the regional and state levels. She is deeply involved in school leadership as co-president of the National Honor Society and president of HOSA, and she also participates in FBLA, Archery Club, and NTHS. Annalise is Bilingual in English and Vietnamese.

Blissanny Ho

Blissanny is a dedicated high school senior at Dauphin County Technical School, maintaining a 4.0 GPA while pursuing advanced coursework in AP sciences and psychology. She brings hands-on experience in dental assisting and radiography, and holds certifications in OSHA, HIPAA, and DANB Radiation Safety. As President of the National Technical Honor Society and Historian for HOSA, Blissanny demonstrates strong leadership. She actively participates in multiple student organizations, including NHS, FBLA, SkillsUSA, and the Archery Club. Blissanny is Bilingual in English and Vietnamese.

Yashna Gurung

Yashna is a well-rounded and ambitious Dauphin County Technical School senior with a 4.0 GPA and a strong foundation in emergency medical services. She holds CPR/AED and EMT certifications and has won regional recognition through FBLA. Yashna brings valuable real-world experience from her work in retail and has volunteered with both environmental cleanup initiatives and the Central PA Food Bank. At school, she takes on multiple leadership roles, serving as Vice President of both the National Honor Society and the Environmental Club, as well as Committee Chair for HOSA. Yashna is Bilingual skills in English and Nepali.

Vanessa Le

Vanessa is a committed high school senior at Dauphin County Technical School, where she maintains a 4.0 GPA and focuses on health sciences and public safety. She is EMT-certified and trained in HIPAA, CPR, and various NIMS protocols. Vanessa is highly engaged in her school community as a member of NTHS, NHS, HOSA, and SkillsUSA. She has a strong record of service through volunteer roles at the Central PA Food Bank and Lien Hoa Tinh That Temple and supporting school events like the DCTech Expo and May Fair. Vanessa is Bilingual in English and Vietnamese.

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On April 21, 2025, we proudly recognized four incredible young volunteers who completed their 40-hour commitment at our office. They arrived just a few days before Christmas, at a time when our spirits were low due to the looming threat of government funding cuts that placed our work and mission at serious risk. Despite the circumstances, they brought warmth, positivity, and new energy into our space. With simple but thoughtful decorations, they helped brighten the office environment, lifting the morale of our staff. Clients waiting in the lobby also expressed their appreciation for the cheerful touches that made the space feel more welcoming.

Their contributions went far beyond decoration. They thoroughly clean and declutter shared spaces, breathing new life into areas that had become disorganized and crowded. One of their most impactful projects was reorganizing our storage room—a space that had long needed attention. Thanks to their effort, we can now easily locate supplies and manage inventory more effectively. They responsibly disposed old documents dating back over 15 years, helping us improve office efficiency and maintain proper records management.

Another standout achievement was their creation of a comprehensive database of all foreign embassies in the United States. This organized and structured resource will be invaluable for our team’s future outreach and advocacy work. In addition to their work inside the office, these volunteers supported our food pantry operations by assisting with unloading deliveries, stocking shelves, and distributing food to community members in need, demonstrating their compassion and commitment to service.

We are deeply grateful for the energy, heart, and professionalism they brought to our organization. At a time when we needed it most, they reminded us that small acts of service, carried out with great care, can make a lasting impact. Their presence not only helped us function more smoothly but also inspired hope during a challenging season.

Thank you to our volunteers—you truly made a difference.