The mission of HESTIA is to positively enhance interpersonal relationships. HESTIA actively engages in research, training and educational programs. It advises professionals and supervises volunteers; it engages in publishing and makes contacts with partners within the Czech Republic and abroad.

The National Volunteer Center organizes programs and projects in the field of social work, social and medical care, culture and a wide range of youth programs.

HESTIA was founded in 1993 as a non-governmental, nonprofit organization.

Main Activities:
- research, training and education
- publication
- consultations, supervision and affiliation for volunteers and professionals
- making national and international contacts with institutions bearing similar activities and initiatives
- publicizing activities

Since 1995 HESTIA has coordinated the volunteer program for children "Big Brothers Big Sisters", which is known as "Pet P." in the Czech Republic

In 1998 HESTIA founded the NATIONAL VOLUNTEER CENTER in cooperation with 14 other volunteer centers from Central and Eastern Europe, the Baltic countries and Euroasia, which are associated with the VOLUNTEERNET network.

HESTIA also supports the development of regional volunteer centers and programs in the Czech Republic (for example: Usti nad Labem, Kromeriz , Ceske Budejovice and Brno).

HESTIA - NATIONAL VOLUNTEER CENTER became a member of the international volunteer organization IAVE in 1999.

HESTIA cooperates with many NGO s such as YMCA Praha, SYMPOSION Praha, LATA Praha, Volunteer center Usti nad Labem, RATOLEST Brno, SPEKTRUM Kromeriz , PROSO Olomouc, AGNES Praha, OSF Praha, OSI New YORK, NROS Praha, Nadace VIA Praha and others.