The volunteers at U.S. Digital Response (USDR) have powered our ability to deliver since the beginning. These technologists and government experts — engineers, designers, researchers, and more — were motivated by more than a résumé boost. Over 11,000 have raised their hands to help governments deliver essential services in moments that mattered. And they did so with humility, curiosity, and care.
Seeds of service – why people showed up
Since our founding in 2020, our volunteers have brought not just decades of experience, but vision, warmth, and a shared belief in community. Each project reflects relationships built on trust, empathy, and a collective desire to serve the public better.
“I was the only volunteer on the project, but I could see the direct impact — real usability changes that made things easier for election officials and voters.” — Olga Sankova, Milwaukee Elections Project Lead
“I joined because I read David Brooks’ The Second Mountain, and I realized I wanted to live in service. USDR was my way to do that — fast, and with purpose.” — Mike Foreman, Elections volunteer
We’ve seen how small shifts can lead to lasting change. In Orange County, North Carolina, officials wanted a simpler way to manage voting logistics across 40 precincts. Together, we co-designed a user-friendly set of tools that made it easier for staff to plan, communicate, and adapt in real time — not just for one election cycle, but for every one after.
“I was already all-in on civic tech, but USDR gave me a chance to show up without strings. It reminded me why the ‘tech’ in civic tech is last — the point is solving problems for people.” - Tyler Richardett, Elections volunteer
In Alexandria, Virginia, and Grand Rapids, Michigan, the challenge was familiar: too much election work, too few hands, and not enough time. With empathy for overstretched staff and an eye for sustainable solutions, our volunteers worked directly with election administrators to modernize how they recruit, track, and communicate with poll workers. In both cities, the results weren’t just better tools — they were systems that staff could confidently own and run themselves.
“I was in a transition period after leaving big tech. I thought I’d volunteer for a little while. I didn’t expect to still be here two years later.” — Adele Peterson, Multi-project volunteer & Internal Team volunteer
USDR volunteers don't just bring skills — they bring lasting change
In Minnesota, that looked like coaching Hennepin County’s digital experience team through human-centered design practices — not by handing over a framework, but by sitting beside them as thought partners. Through a series of collaborative workshops, the team explored how to turn ideas into action, how to test quickly, and how to build better services by listening deeply to their residents. The result? A new internal approach to product development rooted in empathy and equity, and a team that felt empowered to carry that forward.
“I used to think the solution was obvious. USDR reminded me to stay curious — to ask what’s already been tried, and to listen before building anything.” — Paul Gehrig, UX Research Cohort and Language Access volunteer
Sometimes, our work pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in government. In New Jersey, we helped the Department of Labor explore how generative AI could support more equitable access to unemployment benefits. Rather than chasing novelty, the focus was practical: creating a toolkit to reduce language barriers for English and Spanish speakers.
“It felt like a room full of brilliant, kind people I never would’ve met otherwise. Everyone just wanted to help — and that changes you.” — Erin Buitendorp, FAFSA and Resume Review volunteer
“I was working in finance, which was… fine. But the minute I joined my first USDR project, I knew this was the work that fed me.” — Amy Silvers, UX Researcher and Internal Team volunteer
For some, volunteering confirmed a path toward public interest tech. For others, it simply created space to contribute with purpose, whether or not it became a full-time pursuit.
In Pennsylvania, where we partnered with the Commonwealth to stand up a new digital services team from scratch. What began as a recruiting and organizational design effort became something bigger: the launch of CODE PA, an in-house team working across agencies to deliver better digital services to residents. By embedding values of agility, equity, and user-centeredness into the foundation, we didn’t just help stand up a team, we helped start a cultural shift.
“I was well-read on civic tech, but this was my first hands-on experience. It was utter validation that this is the work I’m meant to be doing.” — Toni Aguilar, Cohort and UX Researcher volunteer
What we’ve built together isn’t just a portfolio of tools. It’s a body of work defined by partnership, humility, and a belief that better is possible — and worth showing up for.
Want to start your own civic tech journey?
- Check our our series on transitioning to government from big tech.
- Join a USDR volunteer info session.
- Read other stories from our volunteers.
