The Volunteer Connection of Northwest Ohio is one of 250 Hands On Network Action Centers in the United States. Although each center varies in size and structure, the core values are the same: to connect people with opportunities to serve, build capacity for effective local volunteering, promote volunteering, and participate in strategic initiatives to mobilize volunteers to address community needs.

Originally founded to serve Defiance County, the Volunteer Connection began an expansion plan in 2005 that included service provision in the seven counties of rural, Northwest Ohio.  With offices now in Defiance, Bryan, and Ottawa, the vision has gone from virtual to reality in three counties.