Riley’s Way Foundation 2026 Call For Kindness Fellows

Community Chosen Category: Food Insecurity Award

Every year, Riley’s Way youth community members choose a special Call For Kindness category reflecting a pressing issue in the world today. This year’s community-chosen category supports projects that address food insecurity and/or create affirming, dignified spaces for individuals and communities experiencing food insecurity. 

Cindy Qiao (she/her), 17 | The Full Fork Initiative | Newton, Massachusetts

Collects uneaten and unwanted foods from school cafeterias and redistributes them through snack bags to students in need, currently recovering food from 7 cafeterias and serving 100 students a week across 17 schools.

Vikram Dasa (he/him/his), 15 | Harvest Forward | Columbus, Ohio

Brings fresh, nourishing food to families through trusted community partners, reducing waste and closing food gaps when it matters most.

Iniya Nandakumar (she/her), 17 and Anvitha Desaraju (she/her), 17 | The Mann Nalam Foundation | Coppell, Texas

A youth-led organization supporting organic farmers in South India by establishing community gardens, delivering sustainable farming infrastructure, and expanding the adoption of organic agricultural practices.

Amber Bratlie (she/her/they), 20 | Growing North | Houston, Alaska

A community-led farm in rural Alaska where youth, families, and elders come together to grow food and spend time with each other, ensuring people have access to food while creating a space where the community feels genuinely connected and involved.

DeJuan Strickland (he/him), 17 | TeamTechBoy Foundation – Lunch Heroes Project | St. Louis, Missouri

A youth-led effort to address childhood food insecurity in local schools, dedicated to ensuring every student has access to a meal during the school day through community partnerships and youth-led action.

Dhaani Jeevanani (she/her), 15 | Shared Table | San Jose, California

A student-led food access project that creates bento-style meal kits for families experiencing food insecurity in East San José, with each kit supporting 1–2 complete meals with fresh vegetables, sustainably sourced grains, and compostable containers.

Almanzo Abraham (he/him), 14 | Birthday Bakes for Neighbors in Need | New Haven, Connecticut

Supplies local food pantries with cake kits—items not approved for purchase with government funds—allowing families to celebrate their children’s birthdays with dignity.

The Yuriko Kikuchi Arigato Award

Supports projects annually in dance or the performing arts in honor of Yuriko Kikuchi, a pioneering dancer and choreographer.

Brianna Paulino (she/her), 20, Ruby Moran (she/her), 20, and Poorna Prakash (she/her), 19 | The Cleverly Creatives | Guttenberg, New Jersey

A youth-led organization dedicated to expanding resources and opportunities for students to pursue their artistic and creative pursuits, amplifying the voices of young creatives worldwide by providing a platform to showcase their literature, art, and creative works.

A Kinder World for Animals Award

Sponsored by A Kinder World Foundation, this category supports three projects that embody Riley’s Way’s values while addressing the well-being of animals and the critical role animals play in human lives.

Shriya Uttamchandani (she/her), 17 | Pawsitive Impact | San Diego, California

Reduces pet food insecurity in San Diego by organizing dog food donation drives for low-income families, homebound seniors, and shelters, helping people keep and care for their pets instead of surrendering them due to financial hardship.

Katelyn Liu (she/her), 17 and Brandon Liu (he/him), 15 | WILD (Wildlife Impact through Learning and Doing) | Los Angeles, California

Reconnects wildlife and communities across Los Angeles through habitat restoration, education, and citizen science, empowering youth to protect ecosystems and build a more resilient future.

Zoe Zhang (she/her), 16 and Naisha Marepalli (she/her), 17 | Paint the Wild | Frisco, Texas

A nonprofit dedicated to promoting artwork focused on environmental science issues, engaging the community through creative expression to spread awareness about the planet.

Civil Discourse & Connection Innovation Award

Sponsored by the Sandler Family, this category supports projects that build bridges across divides, nurture critical thought, and create spaces where individuals feel heard and respected, regardless of opinion.

Ariella Fisher (she/her), 16 and Humyra Iqra (she/her), 16 | Metro Mosaic Magazine | Astoria, New York

A forum for youth artists in New York City to investigate how art from various voices can foster connection, understanding, and resilience, envisioning a future where creative expression bridges divisions of race, faith, sexuality, and gender.

Equity in Law Award

Sponsored by Katten Muchin Rosenman, this category supports bold and creative approaches that foster equitable access to justice, amplify youth voices, and build a more inclusive legal profession.

Aiden Aristhomene (he/him), 17 and Debasmita Mishra (she/her), 17 | Legal Ease | Miami, Florida

Bridges the gap between juvenile rehabilitation and prevention by distributing juvenile-tailored legal literacy brochures across South Florida.

Cason Noll (he/him), 17 | StubSmart | Henderson, Nevada

StubSmart is a youth-led wage literacy program that equips teen employees with resources for reading paystubs, reporting wage theft, safe tax reporting, and how to take action when being shortchanged or exploited before it’s too late.

Women in STEM Award

Supported by the Henry Luce Foundation, this category funds five dedicated youth-led projects focused on expanding access, opportunity, and support for girls and young women in STEM.

Sophia Yang (she/her), 16 | The STEM Spectrum | Douglasville, Georgia

An organization dedicated to expanding access to creative, hands-on STEM opportunities for youth and creating more inclusive learning environments.

Vinisha Singireddy (she/her), 16 | STEMPOWERed | San Ramon, California

Empowering STEM access for underserved communities through education, mentorship, and hands-on programming.

Srishti Boral (she/her), 17 | Girls in Research | Sammamish, Washington

A student-led global community that makes scientific research more accessible to girls and early-career researchers by sharing opportunities, hosting events, and building peer support networks that help students see a clear path into research careers.

Gabriella Henriquez (she/her), 17 | Hispanic Youth Initiative | Falls Church, Virginia

A student-led organization providing accessible, engaging STEM experiences to children from marginalized backgrounds—including students of color, first-generation, and limited-income families—who may not have exposure to STEM outside the classroom.

Amelia Hassett (she/her), 17 | BioHer Louisville | Louisville, Kentucky

Engages middle and high school girls in biomedical engineering through learning, prototyping, and advocacy around women’s health issues like endometriosis, PCOS, and menstrual equity, culminating in a Frankfort Lobby Day advocating for Kentucky policy changes.

General Fellows

Nikhil Fernandes (he/him), 17 | Project SHINE: Science Hub for Inclusive Nurturing and Exploration | Suwanee, Georgia

Advances STEM opportunities for neurodivergent and underserved students through hands-on, inclusive STEM education.

Aarav Desai (he/him), 15 | Conservly | Chino Hills, California

Distributes heat kits to vulnerable individuals without access to necessities like shade, and creates urban shade through tree planting and shade installation, with dedicated environmental outreach to youth and seniors.

Amara Barger (she/her), 17 and Luke Barger (he/him), 13 | Allerbusters | Atlanta, Georgia

Promotes allergy awareness and prevention through awareness bracelets, educational resources, and community partnerships, helping create safer, more inclusive environments for kids with allergies.

Alejandra Perry (she/her), 17 | Literary Speaking, Inc. | Miami, Florida

Literary Speaking is a student-led education organization dedicated to improving academic and communication skills among underserved learners, especially ELL students, through tutoring, curriculum design, college mentorship, community-focused events, and publishing projects.

Yana Bijoor (she/her), 17 | TruthSpot.ai | New York, New York

Teaches students how to recognize AI-generated videos, images, and audio through 16 interactive modules, earning a microcredential upon completion and joining a peer network to share what they’ve learned.

Chris Qian (he/him), 17 | ReTech for Kids | Midlothian, Virginia

A nonprofit that collects, refurbishes, and distributes second-hand technology to under-resourced students across the globe.

Zhenrui Gu (she/her), 16 | ArtMind | Chandler, Arizona

Provides art classes for senior citizens with memory and movement disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, helping seniors strengthen cognitive function, improve emotional well-being, and build confidence through creative expression.

Danny Ye (he/him), 19 | Unity Scholars Network | Flushing, New York

A 501(c)(3) organization that empowers under-resourced students to navigate, thrive in, and excel in higher education through life-changing mentorship.

Nimeesha Komatireddy (she/her), 17, Sarah Chan (she/her), 17, Angeline Doan (she/her), 17, Kirana Lai (she/her), 16, and Serena Chan (she/her), 17 | Second Pulse | Irvine, California

Improves healthcare access and education for first-generation immigrant communities through multilingual resources, health literacy workshops, and culturally sensitive support.

Bee Puthoff (they/she), 22 | The Flowground | Cleveland, Ohio

A creative third space for the Cleveland street dance community, providing dancers with a consistent space to freely grow and express themselves throughout their dance journey.

Phi Chanda (they/she), 19 | Amplify the Arch: A Conference By & For Queer Youth | St. Louis, Missouri

The Greater St. Louis Metro Area’s first LGBTQ+ youth conference, connecting students, parents, and educators across Missouri and Illinois for a day of workshops, performances, and art completely free of charge.

Kadijah Mansaray (she/her), 19 | MIRR Mentors | Washington, D.C.

A youth-led mentorship initiative connecting college students with underserved middle and high school students to provide guidance, academic support, and career exposure through weekly programming.

Brandon Delcid Rios (he/him), 18 | See The World Foundation | Ringoes, New Jersey

A youth-led nonprofit expanding access to vision care for children who cannot afford treatment, working to ensure no child is denied the ability to see the world clearly.

Natalia Gustin (she/her), 15 | The Senior Poets Society | Irvine, California

Hosts weekly poetry workshops at nursing homes, fostering social connection, emotional processing, and cognitive benefits for seniors.

Jocelyn Yuan (she/her), 17 | SheCounts | Rockville, Maryland

Expands access to financial literacy for young women by equipping students with practical skills in budgeting, saving, and navigating financial systems through workshops, mentorship, and educational resources.

Grace Chi (she/her), 16 and Sidharth Harishanker (he/him), 16 | Eco MoCo | Gaithersburg, Maryland

A student-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Montgomery County, Maryland, promoting sustainability through three core pillars: education, advocacy, and stewardship.

Luke Zhang (he/him), 17 and Tim Carter (he/him), 17 | Detroit Boys’ Alliance | Detroit, Michigan

Empowering every boy to thrive in school and in life through kindness, empathy, and leadership, bridging the gap between academic potential and actual resources for young men of color in Detroit.

Elijah Daniel (he/him), 16 | America 4 All | Eagan, Minnesota

A community service project created to increase literacy and sustainability through the donation of books and environmentally responsible actions such as recycling to build a more sustainable community.

Emiliano Juárez (he/him), 19 and Fatima Orozco-Reyes (she/her), 20 | Letters From Humanity | White Plains, New York

Embraces, empowers, and uplifts immigrant neighbors by celebrating their humanity and dignity through empathetic storytelling, letter writing, and intercultural community events.

Marilyn Yang (she/her), 16 | The Week to Hear Project | Las Vegas, Nevada

A series of video documentaries bringing visibility to teenagers suffering with drug addiction, consulting medical professionals and challenging mental health institution stigmas one story at a time.

Olivia Zhang (she/her), 16 | Civic Ready Bags | Raleigh, North Carolina

Addresses gaps in civic education by providing elementary students with backpacks filled with tailored, engaging resources that foster active civic participation and a better understanding of their country’s civic principles.

Kiana Lee (she/her), 17 | Sign Journey: Bridging Access Through ASL & Science | San Diego, California

Uses American Sign Language (ASL) education to promote kindness, inclusion, and accessibility, empowering others to communicate across differences and build more understanding communities.

Daniel Castillo (he/him), 16 | TR4HR (Trans Rights 4 Human Rights) | Chicago, Illinois

Works to ensure transgender rights through social and legislative advocacy, centering the voices of trans youth and their allies while fostering safe spaces for Chicago’s queer youth.

Jenie Ayala (she/her), 15 | Sun Safety for All: Expanding Free Sunscreen Access in Los Angeles County Parks | Los Angeles, California

Installs free sunscreen dispensers in Los Angeles County parks to reduce UV-related health risks and promote long-term skin health in underserved communities.

Anika Mehta (she/her), 15 and Avaani Lallian (she/her), 14 | Confident Clicks | Paradise Valley, Arizona

A student-led nonprofit helping seniors overcome technology and vision-related challenges through personalized iPad training and refurbished device donations, fostering independence and confidence in an increasingly digital world.

Nashan Reyes (she/her), 17 | Voices Without Borders | Puerto Rico

A youth-led project amplifying underrepresented voices and sharing stories that connect communities across cultures and countries through content creation and social media, promoting empathy and social change beyond borders.

London Donahoe (he/him), 17 and Kethan Neginhal (he/him), 18 | Accountability Appalachia | Huntington, West Virginia

Strives to uplift civic engagement across West Virginia and neighboring communities through outreach, research, innovation, and connection.

Alan Cervantes (he/him), 22 | New Americans Work | Hoffman Estates, Illinois

Educates young people and immigrants across Chicagoland on the power and benefits of union organizing, empowering these underrepresented demographics to reclaim control over their economic futures through workplace solidarity.

Jihyun Ko (they/she), 16 and Seohyun Ko (she/her), 17 | Green Technology Institute | Ypsilanti, Michigan

Helps youth and local communities understand and respond to AI’s impacts on equity, jobs, and the environment through student-led research and education, creating findings and recommendations for schools, libraries, and workplaces.

Katherine Quizhpi-Gomez (she/her), 16 | Bmore Civic | Baltimore, Maryland

A teen-led Civic Action Collective where teens learn how local government works, build advocacy skills, and become more engaged in their communities through meaningful service.

Riyan Golden (she/her), 16 | Second Chance Equity Initiative (SCEI) | Fredericksburg, Virginia

Second Chance Equity Initiative (SCEI) works to restore dignity and opportunity for incarcerated individuals, with a focus on Black women and girls disproportionately impacted by the criminal legal system. Through policy advocacy, educational access, and community-driven reform, SCEI challenges systemic inequities and promotes pathways to rehabilitation and second chances.

Azeemah Sadiq (she/her), 18 | Equity in Action | Houston, Texas

An initiative dedicated to empowering marginalized young people through policy education, systemic advocacy, and community-building, equipping underrepresented youth with the knowledge, networks, and platforms necessary to shape the policies that directly affect their lives.

2026 Senior Fellows

Senior Fellows are returning Call For Kindness fellows receiving the award for a second time, continuing to deepen their social impact work with the support of Riley’s Way.

Ananya Akkaraju (she/her/hers), 16 | EmpowerEd Connect | Dublin, California

EmpowerEd Connect is the distribution pillar of EmpowerHer Education, a youth-led nonprofit dedicated to expanding girls’ access to education globally. Through partnerships with NGOs and humanitarian aid organizations, the initiative distributes books and educational supplies to girls in rural villages internationally, while mobilizing student chapters to host donation drives and share the stories of the girls they serve.

Samuel Avendano (he/him), 18 and Julieta Rangel (she/her), 18 | CLIP Citizenship (Creating Legal Immigration Pathways) | Los Angeles, California

CLIP is a student-led organization based in the San Fernando Valley dedicated to helping immigrants navigate pathways to U.S. citizenship through individualized support, legal resources, and community partnerships. Since 2022, CLIP has worked with over 25 community members to understand their unique situations and connect them with pro-bono legal services, and in 2024 celebrated their first client becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen.

Saher Aulakh (she/her), 17 | ArtSphere | Phoenix, Arizona

ArtSphere is a student-run organization addressing cultural bereavement caused by ethnic discrimination in education through cultural art workshops and supply drives that promote ethnic awareness, pride, and creativity among K–12 students. With workshops held across Arizona and Massachusetts, ArtSphere uses art as a bridge for young people to connect with and express their cultural identities.

Aarya Bhatt (she/her), 16 | Moo-vement for a Change | Simpsonville, South Carolina

Moo-vement for a Change is a student-led initiative that advocates for animal rights in the meat industry and promotes sustainable, ethical practices through education, activism, and youth empowerment. The initiative organizes fundraising efforts supporting farm animal sanctuaries in the United States and India, while creating accessible content that highlights the environmental and ethical impacts of factory farming for student audiences.

Chloey Cho (she/her), 19, Hailey Shen (she/her), 18, and Willow Yoo (she/her), 18 | Solis and Luna Arts | Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Solis and Luna Arts uses the healing power of the creative arts to benefit those with physical and mental health issues, bringing live music therapy concerts, nail art programs, and fashion workshops to hospitals, nursing homes, and mental health centers. With 600+ volunteers, the organization has hosted over 135 events and impacted more than 10,000 patients and veterans, with 93.6% of volunteers reporting increased confidence working in healthcare settings.

Mumtaz Cooper (she/her), 16 | Pencils Not Prisons | Elizabeth, New Jersey

Pencils Not Prisons is an education-justice initiative focused on dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline by increasing access to educational resources, literacy support, and advocacy for system-impacted and at-risk youth. Since joining the Call For Kindness Fellowship, the project has distributed educational supplies and literacy materials to underserved students, launched a scholarship program, hosted a conference on education equity, and published a student-centered book on civic engagement in three languages.

Rachel Choi (she/her), 16 and Shriya Gandhi (she/her), 16 | HERA Foundation | Cypress, California

HERA Foundation empowers students—especially girls and those from underserved backgrounds—by translating dense federal Title IX law into accessible rights guides and delivering workshops in low-income communities, domestic violence shelters, and libraries. Since its founding, HERA has distributed 300+ Title IX rights guides, reached 700+ families through workshops, placed 600+ books on girl empowerment into the hands of shelter residents, and has been invited to attend CSW-70 as a youth organization on the international stage.

Grace Ding (she/her), 17 and Christianna Thomas (she/her), AGE | Students Engaged in Advancing Texas | Katy, Texas

Students Engaged in Advancing Texas is a movement of students demonstrating youth visibility in policymaking, bringing together high school and college fellows from across Texas to develop advocacy projects addressing educational equity, mental health, immigration policy, and more. Since launching in August 2025, the fellowship has admitted 33 students from 33 different cities across Texas, supported student-led capstone projects, and hosted a convening where fellows connected with legislators, lawyers, and community organizers.

Maimouna Doumbia (she/her), 16 | RISE | Bronx, New York

RISE is a week-long summer program tailored to empower young Black women ages 13–17 through restorative justice training, self-care workshops, and career panels featuring Black female professionals from fields including law, healthcare, finance, and entrepreneurship. Partnering with the Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility and the NYC Office of School Youth Development, RISE secured a free program location and received over 25 applications for its inaugural cohort.

Cara Elzie (she/her), 23 | Bilingual Bibliotheca | Yakima, Washington

Bilingual Bibliotheca creates Little Free Libraries stocked with bilingual and Spanish-language books in Yakima and nearby cities to reduce economic barriers to education and enrichment for Hispanic and low-income communities. The project has installed three library locations to date, distributed books to thousands of English Language Learners through partnerships with local schools and refugee resettlement agencies, and is expanding into Portland, Oregon through partnerships with two nonprofits.

Lily Farris (she/her), 17 and Zyah Douen, 17 | The Lily Project | Bridgeville Delaware

The Lily Project is a youth service initiative that increases opportunities for young people to engage in meaningful community service through replicable, accessible projects. To date, The Lily Project has engaged more than 25,000 young people, kept over 500,000 items out of landfills through upcycling initiatives, distributed more than 30,000 coloring cards to seniors and veterans, and shared over 5,000 Valentine’s cards with veterans over the past decade.

Sarah Gaudron (she/her), 22 | She’s Got Goals | Michigan City, Indiana

She’s Got Goals is a youth empowerment program that introduces young female athletes and students to careers in healthcare through hands-on demonstrations, mentorship from pre-med students and physicians, and wellness education. Since launching, the program has established a chapter at Kenwood Academy in Chicago with a cohort of 20 girls, built a physician volunteer network, and expanded partnerships with organizations including Vituity and the I Am Abel Foundation.

Ethan Hill (he/him), 14 | Ethan’s Heart Bags4Blessings | Birmingham, Alabama

Ethan’s Heart Bags4Blessings educates youth on homelessness through hands-on community service, mentorship, and interactive learning, while actively making a difference for those in need. Through a youth leadership board and the support of the Call For Kindness Fellowship, the initiative has expanded its service projects to include sleeping bags, duffel bags, and comfort items for underserved communities.

Matthew Kassi (he/him), 22 | Pages4ProgressNJ | Bayonne, New Jersey

Pages4ProgressNJ promotes critical thinking and empathy within the prison system by providing incarcerated individuals with access to high-quality reading materials, personalized instruction, and a supportive community. Over three years, the program has served approximately 50 participants, celebrated multiple literacy program graduations, and hosted a speaker series bringing academics and nonprofit founders into dialogue with the incarcerated population.

Kristie Moore (she/her), 23 | Female Leaders of the Americas (FLOTA) | Berkeley, California

Female Leaders of the Americas (FLOTA) is a youth-led organization that empowers young women from North, South, and Central America and the Caribbean through a flagship summer exchange program, mentorship opportunities, and advocacy campaigns. Now in its fifth year, FLOTA has served nearly 700 girls from 16 countries, with 89% of participants reporting they could not have afforded similar programming without FLOTA’s free model.

Kendyll Morandi (she/her), 17 and Anya Kleinman (she/her), 16 | Dancers Beyond Labels | Gaithersburg, Maryland

Dancers Beyond Labels is a youth nonprofit addressing the eating disorder crisis in the dance industry by promoting nutrition education, body-neutral training practices, and mental health support for dancers, instructors, and studio owners. The organization has amassed a team of volunteers across 18 states and 16 countries, raised over $45,000, and partnered with DanceOne to bring their “Fueling Dancers” nutrition curriculum to conventions reaching nearly 10,000 dancers annually.

Andreanela Ordoñez Carbajal (she/her/ella), 23 | Creatividad en Comunidad | Santa Ana, California

Creatividad en Comunidad is a free six-month arts and advocacy program that amplifies the voices of Black and Indigenous youth of color from mixed-status families in Santa Ana through artivism projects, workshops in radical care and healing, and an end-of-program showcase. The initiative has engaged over 30 youth through programs including civic education, book discussions, and collaborative art projects addressing LGBTQIA+ issues, mental health, and self-expression.

Devangana Rana (she/her), 22 | Kinare | Washington, D.C.

Kinare is an initiative focused on economic inclusion and women’s empowerment in Northern India, supporting migrant street vendors and rural entrepreneurs through early-stage capital, legal support, and business mentorship. Building on years of community-building work connecting international families, Kinare brings structured resources and support to women entrepreneurs who lack access to formal economic systems.

Sarah Shelke (she/her), 17 | Mind4Youth | Cupertino, California

Mind4Youth is a nonprofit expanding access to mental health resources for youth from all backgrounds through one of the largest youth-led mental health initiatives, including its HeartCare kit program that provides gender-affirming care products and resources to queer youth. Since joining the Call For Kindness Fellowship, Mind4Youth has distributed 1,400 additional kits across California, Kentucky, Arizona, and Nevada, bringing the total HeartCare program impact to 5,100 kits distributed across North America through a network of 151 chapters.

Solya Spiegel (she/her), 21 | SoulTalks | Boone, North Carolina

SoulTalks is a youth-centered mental health podcast designed to create open and supportive conversations around emotional well-being, anxiety, and the everyday challenges young people face. Launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, the podcast grew to establish a student podcast club and partnerships with mental health advocates, and is now being relaunched with an expanded focus on collaboration, diverse student voices, and community engagement at the college level.

Sri Nihal Tammana (he/him), 17 | Recycle My Battery | Monroe Township, New Jersey

Recycle My Battery is a youth-led initiative that helps people safely recycle used batteries while raising awareness about their environmental impact through school programs, community partnerships, and nationwide bin placements. Since founding the initiative at age 10, Sri Nihal has mobilized over 1,100 youth volunteers worldwide, recycled more than 725,000 batteries, educated over 75 million people, and recently launched the first international Battery Challenge in the United Kingdom.

Mick Tobin (he/him), 23 | The Young People’s Alliance Youth Civic Engagement and Civil Discourse Program | Washington, D.C.

The Young People’s Alliance organizes bipartisan civic engagement events at high school and college campuses to help young people of all political backgrounds engage with each other using empathy and kindness. Since launching in 2021, YPA has scaled to 69 campuses across 13 states, recruited 2,400 members, hosted 50 legislator town halls, and facilitated civil discourse conversations with 50,000 students — with co-founders Mick Tobin and Sam recently named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 class of 2026.

Anthony Wang (he/him), 17 | Bridge to Pride | Mercer Island, Washington

Bridge to Pride is a national resource website that connects LGBTQ+ youth to advocacy, community, and healthcare organizations in their region. Since joining the Call For Kindness Fellowship, Bridge to Pride has served over 3,600 users, partnered with Dear Queer Youth on a Mental Health Awareness Month campaign, and collaborated with the HERA Foundation to link LGBTQ+ resources with Title IX support.

Sophia Wong (she/they), 16 and Jaylan Roy (he/him), 16 | Dear Queer Youth | Los Angeles, California

Dear Queer Youth is an international project dedicated to uplifting queer youth through art and storytelling, regular community events, and civic engagement initiatives. The project has engaged 120 people through online programming, received 50 art and writing submissions from 6 countries, published works through a dedicated website, and hosted a city-wide queer prom in Los Angeles with 128 participants from 14 schools.

Faith Ajanaku (she/her), 21 and Maham Kazmi (she/her), 23 | Passport & Purpose | Dallas, Texas

Passport & Purpose is a travel access and cultural education initiative that helps young people approach global travel with intention, respect, and awareness through workshops, educational storytelling, and travel micro-grants for first-time travelers. Built on three pillars of access, education, and perspective, the project guides participants through the practical and ethical dimensions of international travel while providing financial support for educational and cultural exchange opportunities.