Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Nayana Paturi. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
When Nayana Paturi tutored at a library 30 minutes from home, she noticed something that stopped her cold. Students there relied on librarians for basic supplies like pencils and rulers, because their families couldn’t afford them. As a high school student, she didn’t wait for permission to help. In March 2024, she founded Coloring Brighter Futures, a youth-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit that puts school supplies directly into the hands of children in underserved communities.
Since then, Nayana and her team have partnered with elementary schools, homeless shelters, free stores, churches, and community centers, raising more than $10,000 and delivering over 6,000 supply pouches filled with pencils, crayons, rulers, and glue sticks. She leads an executive team of six and coordinates more than 75 volunteers, overseeing everything from fundraisers to deliveries.
Nayana values the hugs, the handwritten thank-you notes, and the looks on children’s faces when they receive a pouch made just for them. Each of these pouches has the power to genuinely transform a child’s life. Nayana believes that anyone who thinks they’re too young or too small to create change just needs to start, and the rest will follow.
Do you want to make a difference in your community like Nayana? Find local volunteer opportunities.