The purpose of TAPS, as a private, non-profit organization, is to provide high school girls with a variety of community service opportunities. Teens and parents volunteer in a variety of support areas including social welfare,  civic, environmental, health, and animal rescue therapy. Throughout a teen’s high school years, TAPS teens develop valuable leadership, organization, and teamwork skills. TAPS parents support this learning process and work alongside them in volunteer activities. TAPS’ purpose is exclusively educational, service- oriented, and charitable. TAPS strives for members to work directly with those in need and does not fundraise.

TAPS was organized to address the unmet need for service opportunities in the greater Walnut Creek and Diablo Valley communities. In 2002, Melanie Knoth English, along with Christy Deibert, Rhonda Montgomery and Cindy Sakai, founded the Teen and Parent Service Society (TAPS).

TAPS’ signature volunteer projects are working with groups such as White Pony Express, Food Bank of Contra Costa, Trinity Center, Bay Area Crisis Nursery, Ruth Bancroft Gardens and Love-A-Child Missions Homeless Recovery Shelter. Examples of past projects include partnering with a local swim club to provide summer pool time for children that live at Love-a-Child, working with community organizations to refurbish gardens or maintain grounds, working at food banks or thrift stores, sponsoring drives and partnering with elementary schools or community organizations to distribute collected goods.

The most significant benefit is the personal satisfaction of making a positive contribution in our community. TAPS teens and parents develop leadership skills, work directly with other local leaders, and build relationships with diverse, dedicated and talented people in the community. Members learn about the Walnut Creek and Diablo Valley communities and how to work with other organizations to achieve a common goal.

Yes! In 2022 we became officially certified as a PVSA Certifying Organization.

With the award on temporary pause, TAPS is substituting the National Service Honor, a verified award program modeled after the PVSA, to recognize our members.

The TAPS NSH/PVSA year is May 1st to April 30th. This allows us to request the certificate and medallion to present at the End-of-Year Celebration.

For more information on the PVSA, please refer to the https://presidentialserviceawards.gov/.