The answer had always been, even when I failed to acknowledge it, to be of service to others.

~DeAngelo Griggs

DeAngelo in South Africa

Costa Rica Odyssey participant DeAngelo Griggs knows all too well how life comes full circle. In 2011, he and his then girlfriend, Toy, travelled to Cape Town, South Africa, to volunteer with Cross-Cultural Solutions (CCS). They met Terri Wingham, who was on the volunteer program that inspired her to found A Fresh Chapter. DeAngelo became ill, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and began treatment in Cape Town. He soon returned to the United States to continue his care, leaving behind his dream to be of service abroad.

Over the years, DeAngelo continued to struggle with cancer. Even though his health created an obstacle, his desire to serve never wavered. He volunteered locally, helping out in a YWCA kitchen, a furniture bank, substitute teaching and coaching basketball. Even though he loved his community service at home, in Columbus, Ohio, DeAngelo felt an empty space from leaving Cape Town.

Cross-Cultural Solutions Offers a Second Chance

Two years ago, DeAngelo and wife, Toy, returned to Cape Town for a vacation. While there, he stopped in to visit one of CCS directors, reunited with his first oncologist and saw Terri, who was there running the first South Africa Odyssey program for A Fresh Chapter. Terri asked DeAngelo if he wanted to join A Fresh Chapter for a future program. He expressed interest, but his health prevented him from joining both a program in India and then in Peru. Finally, DeAngelo knew the timing was right. Thanks to a scholarship from Cross-Cultural Solutions, he returned to his dream of global volunteering – six years after his trip to Cape Town.

Costa Rica Odyssey

In March, DeAngelo travelled to Costa Rica with A Fresh Chapter. He and fellow participant, Robyn, worked as teachers aids in a school. DeAngelo also spent time working with adults with disabilities. Volunteering in Costa Rica filled that empty space, left from leaving his work in South Africa early.

DeAngelo said he is his most happy when he is able to give back. “This is something I enjoy doing.” He credits this spirit of service to his grandmother, the Boys & Girls Club he attended as a child in Chicago, and others who supported him along the way. “I’ve been blessed. It’s in my nature to pay it forward.”

DeAngelo believes that volunteering in Costa Rica brought him full circle. “A Fresh Chapter reignited my passion to service to others and it gave me the courage and confidence to continue to live life to the fullest regardless of my battles with cancer.”

DeAngelo has written a book about his journey called Falling into Faith: The Source of my Power.