Lifetouch Memory Mission
Since 2000, Memory Mission has touched the lives of thousands of children, families, and communities around the world. From rebuilding villages in Kosovo to constructing schools in Haiti, our dedicated volunteers have contributed over 100,000 hours of service, creating lasting memories that will be cherished forever.
As we take a moment to pause and update the program for the next chapter, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to all our alumni volunteers and partners who have been part of this incredible journey. Your commitment and passion have made a real difference, and the memories we’ve created together will continue to inspire others for years to come.
Past Memory Mission Trips
2023, 2024 – Guatemala
Volunteers traveled to Guatemala to help a rural community build a more environmentally responsible school out of plastic bottles and inorganic trash. In addition to building the school, volunteers took personal portraits of the community’s K-6th grade school children. The photos were delivered in person on the last day of the mission trip. The photos were the first-ever professional portraits taken within this community.
2019 – Puerto Rico
Lifetouch and Shutterfly employees and educators traveled to Juncos, Puerto Rico, to work side-by-side with Puerto Ricans rebuild a school damaged by Hurricane Maria last year.
2011, 2012, 2014-2018, 2020 – Dominican Republic
Joined by educators from around North America, Lifetouch Missions have built two school campuses in Constanza, Dominican Republic. The team built four two story buildings and a cafeteria, which provides space to learn and grow to more than 500 students.
2010 – Arizona
Volunteers traveled to the Navajo Nation to construct a footbridge to connect two parcels of land divided by a deep ravine so children could get to school safely. The original footbridge had deteriorated so schoolchildren were walking along the nearest highway to get to school.
2007 – Haiti
Volunteers traveled to Haiti to build a school in Fosse Capois. The team helped raise funds and enough money was received to build the Lifetouch Family School. Additional donations received were used for a lunch program and wells for clean water. Since 2000, Lifetouch employee-volunteers have built K-8 schools in twelve Haitian villages.
2006 – New Orleans
Lifetouch Memory Mission volunteers provided on-site assistance to victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. The team assisted with clearing debris and rebuilding efforts.
2003, 2004 – Appalachia
Volunteers spent time in West Virginia (2003) and Tennessee (2004) repairing homes. Many homes were deteriorating and lacked running water, central heating and other basic necessities. Additionally, Lifetouch set up complete portrait studios in community centers, where families gathered to have their portraits taken, most of them for the first time.
2002 – Jamaica
Lifetouch Memory Mission volunteers traveled to Catadupa, Jamaica, for a week to construct a new roof for an early childhood education and care center. The center provides shelter, protection and food for children whose parents worked several hours away.
2000, 2001 – Kosovo
The Lifetouch Memory Mission has taken volunteers twice to help the elderly and widowed rebuild their homes in a village ravaged by war in Kosovo. The volunteers also took portraits of community members to be used for identification cards.