A Movement Found at the Intersection of STEM and Service
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Adhya Garlapati. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
For Adhya Garlapati, service was never a box to check. It began in childhood, when she tagged along to community events and environmental projects and discovered that every act of helping came bundled with a lesson about leadership, teamwork, and what it means to get involved. Those early experiences shaped a conviction that would eventually take institutional form: that young people don’t just have to imagine a better community, they can build one. That belief became the foundation of the 4C STEM Club, a student-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit Adhya founded to help students turn ideas into action.
At the heart of the organization is a simple but ambitious premise: that STEM education and community service belong together. Adhya designed the club to integrate scientific learning with environmental sustainability and hands-on outreach, and she runs nearly every gear of the operation herself, from planning workshops to coordinating events, from mentoring student volunteers to developing curriculum, from fundraising to managing partnerships with schools and community organizations.
Over three years, that work has added up in striking ways. The club has reached more than 4,500 individuals, delivered over 630 STEM learning hours, facilitated 385-plus hours of leadership and engagement, hosted more than 200 events, and raised over $20,400 to fuel its programs. The club’s environmental flagship, Project EcoCatalyst 360, is where Adhya’s vision becomes especially tangible. Through it, she and her volunteers have repurposed more than 40,000 pill bottles for recycling and medical reuse, collected over 1,500 pairs of shoes, and distributed more than 2,000 native plant seed packets to encourage local ecological restoration. She also established a community library stocked with over 10,000 books, an enduring resource that will outlast any single event. Beyond her own organization, Adhya volunteers roughly 25 hours a month and lends her time to the Buffalo Grove Environmental Action Team, the Buffalo Grove Prairie Guardians, the Park District, and the local Farmers Market, weaving herself into the fabric of the community she serves.
That combination of vision and follow-through has drawn recognition, including the Caring Community Award from the Village of Buffalo Grove and consecutive years of national volunteer service honors. But the numbers and accolades tell only part of the story. What distinguishes Adhya is the way she has turned personal passion into a scalable engine that mentors the next generation of volunteers even as it plants seeds, stocks shelves, and cleans up the environment. Her goal is to keep creating opportunities that empower young people to use STEM and service together, proving again and again that meaningful change is something students can lead, not just wait for.
Adhya shows off a robot she built at the Lake County Robotics Competition.
Tell us about your volunteer role and organization.
I’m the founder of 4C STEM Club, a student-led nonprofit organization dedicated to making STEM education accessible while encouraging young people to use their knowledge to solve real-world problems through community service. As a part of our club’s executive board, me and my team organize STEM workshops, educational events, science fairs, environmental projects, and service initiatives that inspire students to become leaders in their communities.
Outside of the club, I lead several environmental service projects. Since 2022, I have organized the collection of more than 60,000 used prescription pill bottles for medical reuse programs and over 2,000 pairs of shoes that support people in need while also helping fund tree-planting efforts. I have also led native seed collection, distributed milkweed seeds to support monarch butterflies, participated in prairie restoration projects, and educated community members about environmental sustainability. Through every project, my goal is to combine leadership and service to create a meaningful and lasting impact.
Why is this issue so important to you?
Ever since I was young, I have enjoyed volunteering because it allows me to make a difference while learning from every experience. I believe that STEM should not only be about discovering new technologies; it should also be about improving our communities and protecting our environment.
Environmental sustainability is especially important to me because the choices we make today affect future generations. Whether it’s reducing waste, protecting wildlife, or encouraging recycling, I believe even small actions can create a lasting impact when people work together.
What inspired you to get started with this initiative?
My passion grew through both my love of STEM and my volunteer experiences. As I learned more about environmental challenges, I realized that many problems could be addressed through simple community actions. Instead of waiting for someone else to solve these issues, I wanted to help create solutions.
Starting the 4C STEM Club gave me an opportunity to combine STEM education with community service. I wanted to show other students that they don’t have to wait until they’re adults to make a difference. They can start today by using their ideas, creativity, and compassion.
What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization?
My long-term goal for the 4C STEM Club is to inspire and educate as many students as possible by making STEM learning accessible, engaging, and meaningful. I want to give more children in the community the opportunity to explore science, technology, engineering, and math through hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and build confidence. I hope to help students discover a passion for STEM, develop leadership skills, and realize that they can use their knowledge to make a positive impact in their communities.
Adhya poses with pill bottles she and fellow volunteers have collected for recycling and medical reuse.
Tell us about future partnerships, programs or events that you are excited about.
One partnership is our recent collaboration with the Buffalo Grove Park District on the Buffalo Grove STEM Expo. It was an incredible experience to see students, families, educators, and community members come together to celebrate STEM learning. The event was a tremendous success. Looking ahead, I’m excited to build on that momentum by collaborating with more park districts, villages, and nonprofit organizations to create additional STEM events, workshops, and community service opportunities.
What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?
Volunteering has taught me that leadership begins with service. I’ve learned how to communicate with people from different backgrounds, organize projects, solve unexpected challenges, and work as part of a team. Most importantly, I’ve learned that meaningful change doesn’t always require huge resources. It starts with one person willing to take the first step. Every volunteer, every project, and every small act of kindness can inspire others to get involved.
What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?
The most rewarding part of my work has been seeing students discover a passion for STEM that they never knew they had. It’s incredibly meaningful to watch them become more curious, build confidence through hands-on learning, and develop an interest in science and technology that could even lead to a future career they had never considered before. Seeing students grow, ask questions, and become excited about learning reminds me why this work is so important.
It’s also incredibly rewarding to see community members visit our booths and events, learn something new, and become more informed about STEM and the impact it can have on everyday life. Knowing that our programs inspire both students and families is something I’m truly proud of, and it motivates me to continue creating opportunities that make STEM accessible and exciting for everyone.
It’s also rewarding to see our environmental initiatives grow. Knowing that thousands of pill bottles and shoes have been diverted from landfills while helping people in need reminds me that even simple ideas can have a significant impact when a community comes together.
Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?
When people volunteer for causes they genuinely care about, they’re more likely to stay committed and inspire others to join them. Communities become stronger when everyone contributes their unique skills and passions. No matter your age, your contribution matters. Whether you volunteer for one hour or hundreds of hours, your actions can positively impact someone else’s life and encourage others to do the same.
Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?
Start with something you’re passionate about. You don’t need to create a huge organization or lead a major project on day one. Begin with one small act of service, learn from the experience, and continue building from there.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, work with mentors, and collaborate with others. Some of the best opportunities come from simply saying “yes” to helping. Every volunteer starts somewhere, and every small effort has the potential to grow into something much bigger than you ever imagined.
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Emily Jankowski. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
Aside from wreaking medical havoc, the COVID-19 pandemic increased food insecurity across the country. Often an invisible problem, it can be difficult to know who is struggling, and who is one missed paycheck or one hospital visit from being unable to afford groceries. So when Emily Jankowski learned that a child at her son’s elementary school hadn’t been getting enough food, she was surprised. In an area where most people live comfortably, it wasn’t an issue she was aware of. After speaking to school and local nonprofit leaders, she decided to do something about it.
Soliciting the help of her company’s volunteer engagement leaders, she got connected with the United Way of Bay County, the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, local leaders and volunteers. Together, they’ve put on 12 food distributions in the past three years, supporting an average of 150 families.
Emily uses her logistics skills from her role at Dow to organize details and oversee 35 to 40 volunteers at each event, 50 during winter distributions due to the change in locale. Most come back repeatedly, and nearly all are from Dow, including Emily’s husband. Together, the couple joins coworkers to give families a reprieve when they need it most.
Emily Jankowki leads a food distribution event that helps an average of 150 families.
What inspired you to get started with this initiative?
I went to pick my oldest up from school for a doctor’s appointment. When I was waiting in the office, Carol, an administrator, asked a little girl who had just been dropped off if she’d eaten yet that day, and she said no. It was 1 o’clock in the afternoon.
I couldn’t stop thinking about it, so I called Carol, and she told me some children’s only meals during the day are the ones they get from school. I went to Costco and grabbed some things for the school to have for them. I talked to the principal, who mentioned families were struggling after COVID.
Due to certain rules, I couldn’t give money, because the school would lose their funding. There has to be a nonprofit involved. We have employee engagement programs at Dow, and, through them, I got in touch with the United Way and talked through the need in the area with the president.
I learned about the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population, the number of people facing poverty, and those who are unhoused. We talked through their options to get food and how at some places, you have to give invasive information about yourself to get access. Sometimes people don’t get food they need due to pride, so I wanted to find a way that felt safer, with no questions asked.
Tell us about your food distributions.
I’m the organizer. In the beginning, we’d had many meetings to talk through logistics. Now, we’re a well-oiled machine. I pick a date revolving around school breaks, so we can cover periods when school food is unavailable. Sometimes, we’ll do it for the back-to-school season so parents can focus on school supplies or new clothes for their kids without worrying about how they’ll get groceries.
The city has graciously allowed us to put on the event for free and helps us prepare. City employees set up traffic cones and get the tables ready, and the United Way works with the food bank to organize food delivery. I put out the request for the volunteers, sign them up and direct them. I send them prep emails ahead of time: whether we need wagons, cars to take recycling to the recycling center, and so forth.
The food bank truck drops food off, and our volunteer manager from Dow calculates how many of each item we can give people. Volunteers place items on the tables and bring wagons through to fill up. If we have leftover food, we take it to local pantries. Then, I follow up with volunteers to thank them.
What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization?
I’d like to engage more with the school about other ways we can help. For a while, we put together discrete hygiene bags for children filled with items the school nurse pinpointed as needed. We even branched out to other elementary schools in the district. Unfortunately, after two or three rounds distributing around 100 bags each time, we weren’t getting enough donations to continue. I think we need to revisit that.
What have you learned from your experiences as a volunteer?
There’s a mindset shift that happens when you participate in something like this. I initially went into this angry that someone would let children be in a situation of need. I’ve since learned that not everybody has the support that they need to break the cycle.
I needed help in my earlier adulthood, but I had family to rely on. Some people are also trying to support their parents, grandparents, or extended family. They’re the ones being relied upon.
What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?
I feel more connected with my community and like we’re making a difference. The school has brought me other opportunities, too. It feels great that they know they can come to me. Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about? Not everybody’s willing to do it. We all need to help each other out. If you can help somebody get to the level where they no longer need help, it changes their life forever. That’s what we should be striving for.
What do you want people to learn from your story?
Assume people have good intentions. We’ve had people come through in fancy cars, and I heard whisperings, only to find out later that they’re an in-home care nurse taking food to their patient. Or, it’s somebody who just lost their job after getting this new car. Now, they don’t have health insurance, and it would just help them to have a fridge full of food.
That’s the whole point: if you feel like you need the help, come get the help.
Building “Core Memories” and Leadership for Foster Youth
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Nate Gonzalez. Read his story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
At just 7 years old, Nate Gonzalez looked at the world around him and saw an opportunity to bring joy to children navigating the foster care system. Now 12 years old—and preparing to celebrate his 13th birthday this October—the Texas native has spent nearly half his life building a powerful movement rooted in a beautifully simple philosophy: kids helping kids. The movement has since blossomed into Nate’s Next Kid Up, a thriving nonprofit organization that now serves more than 5,000 children annually. From its roots in the Coastal Bend, the organization has expanded its reach across the Lone Star State, bringing vital resources and unforgettable experiences to youth in Houston, San Antonio, Dallas-Fort Worth, and the Rio Grande Valley.
As the founder and CEO of the organization, Nate balances life as a student with dedicating 40 to 60 hours each month to volunteering, a commitment that spikes even higher during holiday drives and major events. His hands-on leadership keeps the organization running, from coordinating volunteers and fundraising to planning community service projects and organizing massive donation drives. His efforts have earned him significant recognition, including being named the youngest honoree in the Corpus Christi Under 40 program, as well as the youngest recipient—and the first ever from his region—to receive the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Commissioner’s Excellence Award.
Among the organization’s most impactful initiatives is the Foster Road Trip Program, which has helped take more than 700 children in foster care to their first Major League Baseball game or on educational adventures to destinations like zoos and NASA. In a single year, Nate completely removed financial barriers for 100 foster youth by coordinating a massive trip to Houston, managing every detail from transportation and meals to activities and goodie bags. For Nate, these excursions are about more than just a day out; they’re about creating “core memories” and inspiring children to dream bigger about their futures. These travel experiences are paired with large-scale seasonal efforts, including the back-to-school “Stuff the Pack” school supply giveaways, Dream Big Movie Nights, and the Dream Big Christmas toy drives.
Looking ahead, the young leader is expanding his vision of youth empowerment by working to launch the Nate’s Next Kid Up Youth Leadership Academy, an initiative designed to teach young people how to become leaders through community service. His passion for youth advocacy also extends to his role as a spark leader for GivingTuesday, where he encourages kindness, generosity, and volunteerism among his peers. While the state awards and regional accolades speak to the magnitude of his impact, Nate remains anchored to his core mission. For him, the greatest reward will always be seeing a child smile, gain confidence, and realize that no matter where they come from or what challenges they face, their dreams truly matter.
Nate Gonzalez CEO, Founder of Nate’s Next Kid Up
Tell us about your volunteer role and organization.
I have my own nonprofit called Nate’s Next Kid Up. What I do is help children in foster care and kids within the community through different events and programs. Our biggest program is called Nate’s Foster Road Trip, where we take at least 100 children in foster care to their first MLB game. We actually took them to NASA last year, and this year we just took them to the Astros and also the Alamo. Overall, last year we helped over 700 kids.
What inspired you to get started with this initiative?
When I was 7 years old, during COVID, it was Christmastime, the time of giving. I wanted to contribute to my community because I kept seeing kids in the hospital who couldn’t be with their friends, family, people they love, or even their pets. I told my parents about this, and they said that children in foster care are a great example of that. So I said I wanted to help them. Then we had our first toy drive, and we collected over 200 toys and sports equipment. It just kept progressing from there. Last year we actually got 10,000 toys, and we keep on growing. This is our sixth year doing this, and we’re excited. What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization? Long term, I just want to put a smile on the faces of children in foster care. I want to be someone they can trust and talk to about any problems, and I just want them to feel like they have someone there. I also want to grow this nonprofit bigger.
We have our Dream Big Center, which is technically a distribution center. It’s a safe place for children in foster care and kids who just want to have fun. We let them pick out a toy that they want and we get to see their smiles. We have already grown out of it, so we want to get our Dream Big Center bigger and spread the word.
Tell us about future partnerships, programs or events that you are excited about.
We’re having the MLB Pitch Hit & Run. It’s at Whataburger Field here in Corpus Christi. This is a big game-changer for the nonprofit because we get to help kids within the community by supporting their interests, like baseball and softball, and just letting them have fun.
We also recently helped schools that were shutting down in our community. We actually gave toys to all the children at the school from pre-K to fifth grade. That was about 3,000 kids.
What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?
We always learn through several of our events and programs. We usually learn what is best for the kids, like activities and prizes. We also learn how to bring the right energy around the kids; we technically want the area to be happy and just joyful for them. Every single event that we do teaches us something, and what we have learned throughout the years is that we always want to make an area safe for them while making sure they have fun at the exact same time.
Why is it important for kids in the foster care system to have these experiences?
We want them to have fun and we want them to have their own adventures and their own experiences. That’s why we have our Road Trip, where we take the children in foster care to their first MLB game, or to their first NASA trip or Alamo trip. We always want them to have fun. We provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s all for the kids.
What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?
Just seeing them smile at the end of the day, and just knowing that you have helped someone who needed help.
I met this boy who was about 7 years old. He invited me to his birthday party, so we asked the people who were taking care of him, and they said, “Yes, you can join the birthday party.” We got toys to give to all the kids who were going to be at his party. He gave me a hug and started tearing up. That’s why it’s worth helping kids. You can always do better every single day. I choose to do better, and that has gotten me here so far. I want to keep on doing it.
Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?
It’s great to help other people just to show how you express your feelings, but also to show that you care about someone other than yourself. It’s just good to see other people follow their interests and help. Seeing a kid smile is a big dream of mine, and it makes me want to continue my mission. I want other people to continue their mission of helping other kids and pursuing their dream of doing something bigger than themselves.
That’s what we do at Nate’s Next Kid Up. It just started with one dream, and it led to hundreds, even thousands. It takes a village—maybe a whole city—to just make that one spark light up into a blazing fire. We did that in my community, and we have made a big difference in other children’s lives. I’ve seen some children who are just a few years old and they’re already in foster care, and it just made me want to help more.
Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?
I would just say to follow your heart. Follow your heart, and if you like it, then keep on doing it because it can grow. The amount of kids that you can help just grows and grows, and that has been an eye-opener for me and other people. It starts with you wanting to help. Seeing these kids smile really just lightens up my day. Every single time that I see a child in foster care smile, it is heartwarming.
INSPIRING YOUNG GIRLS IN SERVICE, CONNECTION, AND COMMUNITY
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Bo Griffiths. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
Bo Griffiths may only be 13 years old, but she’s already making huge changes in her community. Back in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bo told her mother she wanted to start an organization focused on kindness and good deeds. Hoping to connect with others and minimize isolation, Bo sat around the dining room table with four other girls. That became the first meeting of G.I.R.L.S., an acronym for Great Independent Reliable Lovable Souls. The organization creates community service opportunities for young girls, empowers them, and allows them to learn from others as they serve.
Now a rising ninth grader, Bo made the organization an official 501(c)(3) last year and is moving forward full speed ahead. Ranging in age from first grade to eighth grade, the young women meet independently once a month to complete a service project, which could range from volunteering at the local soup kitchen and writing letters to soldiers to visiting a nursing home or helping with hurricane relief. One of the group’s recent projects included working on a chief care closet at North Myrtle Beach High School, so students can “shop” for items they need in a boutique-style environment. They also have big plans in the works for the future: During the upcoming school year, G.I.R.L.S. will partner with an organization called You Are Loved on a backpack drive. What started as just a handful of girls has blossomed into multiple chapters that now total over 80 members.
Creating G.I.R.L.S. has led Bo to endless new opportunities, from attending leadership groups to serving as a South Carolina student ambassador. She’s met endless new people who help her bolster the organization and is learning how to make it even better in the future. Whenever someone asks Bo what she wants to do as a career, she shares that while she’s not exactly sure what she wants to pursue, she knows she wants it to somehow help others through a nonprofit. Through her own volunteer work as a teen, Bo is already informing her future.
BO GRIFFITHS IS THE FOUNDER OF G.I.R.L.S., AN ORGANIZATION THAT CREATES COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG GIRLS AND ALLOWS THEM TO LEARN FROM OTHERS. /COURTESY BO GRIFFITHS
What inspires you to volunteer?
I think the need to connect with people inspires me to do volunteer work. I learn so many amazing lessons through volunteering with so many different types of people.
What inspired you to get started with this initiative?
I started this initiative the summer after COVID, during a time when I felt we needed more community after being stuck isolated in our homes. Getting a few girls together to better the community felt really refreshing.
Tell us about your volunteer role with G.I.R.L.S.
I’m the founder of G.I.R.L.S, so I coordinate all of our chapters. I find the volunteer work for each chapter and I run my chapter. There are six chapters. I came up with the name one day when my friend and I thought up the acronym. I didn’t even know the title was going to be used for this, but then I thought back to it, and I realized that it’s such a fun, unique title. We thought it was perfect. Along with a board of several other girls, we manage the finances, coordinate chapter events, and host fundraisers.
What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization?
I’m not sure what the future exactly will hold for G.I.R.L.S. I know that it will continue encouraging girls of all ages to get involved with their community and to serve others. I hope the group continues to grow new chapters with new faces that are ready to serve.
What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?
I would say the most rewarding part of my work is seeing girls as young as five years old do such important things in our communities. No matter how young they are, they’re making a big change. Not only that, but I’m also rewarded by the amazing lessons I learned from seniors, people with special needs, and so many other amazing people.
What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?
Through my experiences, I have learned that people need people. Usually, when volunteering, we feel like we’re helping others, but I have learned that volunteer work can lead to feeling more empowered as a volunteer yourself.
Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?
I think spending a few hours doing something you care about can leave others feeling inspired and encouraged. You, yourself, feel more fulfilled.
What do you want people to learn from your story?
I want people to learn that no matter their age, they can make a difference. Girls should always support girls through anything: through sports, through their community, and through school. There are always ways to support each other.
Meet the Volunteer Painting a Brighter Future for All
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Dani McTague. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
For Dani McTague, a 16-year-old from Oklahoma, a blank canvas is a tool for profound transformation. Since joining 4-H at just 8 years old, Dani has looked at her community through a lens of service, ultimately channeling her love for creative expression into founding Dani’s Dream – Sharing the Love of Art, a lifeline of comfort for thousands of underserved youth.
Dani balances her duties as an Oklahoma 4-H State Ambassador and State Leadership Council member, pouring roughly 30 to 40 hours each month into community service and youth leadership. Her signature initiative is the Dani’s Dream art cart at OU Children’s Hospital, a mobile treasure trove of creativity that rolls directly into pediatric patients’ rooms. Funded by two Hershey Heartwarming Young Heroes Grants and a National 4-H Lead to Change Grant, the cart brings a sense of normal life, as well as the healing power of art, to children facing severe medical hurdles.
Behind this gentle mission lies an impressive logistical operation that Dani runs top to bottom. Over the course of her nine-year 4-H journey, she has logged more than 8,000 hours of community service and raised $33,000 from supporters across 24 states, pairing those funds with over $4,150 in grant awards. She has managed everything from donation drives to volunteer recruitment, successfully distributing 4,495 custom-curated art bags to schools, shelters, and families in need. Her wider outreach efforts—including holiday card deliveries to veterans and nursing home residents—have touched an astonishing 1.7 million people.
Dani has turned her personal love for art into a structured, community-wide resource. She has mobilized dozens of volunteers and taught an entire generation of peers that they possess the power to get involved. Through every bag delivered and every hospital room visited, Dani’s Dream continues to show that creativity and compassion are the ultimate tools for healing.
Dani McTague, creator of Dani’s Dream: Sharing the Love of Art and Oklahoma 4-H member, who serves as a State Ambassador and on the State Leadership Council.
Tell us about your volunteer role.
I’ve been involved in 4-H for as long as I can remember. Through the organization, I’ve been able to dive into a bunch of different service activities, and bringing those experiences into other people’s lives has had a major impact.
I started Dani’s Dream when I was only 10 years old during the pandemic. I was doing art every day at home when it was brought to my attention that not everyone had access to art supplies because schools were closed. I decided to create a Facebook page, and soon enough, I was getting product donations in the mail from all across the country. Today, I’ve received donations from over 24 states, and it has been a deeply rewarding experience. I donate the supplies to children’s hospitals, hospice centers, and homeless shelters—places where a creative outlet is truly needed. To date, I’ve donated 4,495 art bags across three states.
Why are these volunteer activities so important to you?
4-H has been a pillar in my life for as long as I can remember. Through it, I’ve made so many new friends and learned vital life skills that I know I will use in my future. Art is incredibly important to me. I don’t just use it as a way to give to others; it’s also a tool for their own self-expression. It’s a wonderful source for processing and sharing your feelings.
Tell us about future partnerships, programs or events that you are excited about.
I have recently gotten a National 4-H Lead to Change Grant. I was actually one of only six recipients in the nation. This allowed me to partner with OU Children’s Hospital. I had previously donated art bags to them, but I thought it would be a wonderful idea to provide them with their own mobile art cart and 1,100 art bags to go with it. Being able to pull that off was such a cool opportunity.
I also had the opportunity to receive the Hershey’s Heartwarming Young Heroes Grant for the third year in a row. I’m using that to create another 760 art bags to restock the cart, which helps serve over 44,000 patients each year.
What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization?
I’ll be running for 4-H State Vice President this year, which is a massive goal of mine. I’ve been serving as a Community Service Representative and working toward this leadership role since the seventh grade, so I’m very excited for the opportunity to step up.
Dani McTague, a recipient of the 4-H CWF Lead to Change Grant, donated a bright green mobile art cart stocked with supplies to OU Children’s Hospital, along with more than 1,100 art BAGS (Bringing Art to Generations).
What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?
Rather than the accolades, the most meaningful part of this journey has been connecting with my community and changing lives. Seeing how even the smallest act of kindness can make a permanent, positive impact means way more to me than any award I will ever receive.
I’ll always remember one Christmas when I delivered art bags to a shelter. The kids were incredibly excited because it was the only Christmas gift many of them received that year. It’s moments like that that have truly shaped who I am today.
Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?
I think it’s important because it allows people to see the power of passion. For me, being able to help others through my service project helps spread awareness about how art can genuinely transform a person’s life. Being able to share your personal passions through service is an incredible experience.
Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?
I would just tell them to go for it. It might feel a little scary at first, but it is so important to step outside of your comfort zone. Taking that leap will completely change your life for the better.
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Elton Cho. Read his story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
Growing up in Los Angeles, Elton Cho walked the busy streets of Koreatown and attended classes at Wilton Place Elementary School, never realizing how deeply those same blocks would shape his future purpose. Years later, having built a successful career in finance, Elton felt a powerful pull to return to his roots. He found his gateway back through the Koreatown Youth Community Center (KYCC), an organization located just down the street from where his own educational journey began. His service quickly bloomed into a deeply personal mission to uplift the next generation of his childhood neighborhood.
As a Managing Director at Ares, Elton recognized that his most valuable contribution wasn’t just his time, but his specialized professional expertise. Spotting a critical gap in early financial education, he took the initiative to design, build, and lead a custom Investing and Finance club for local students. Transitioning seamlessly from high-level corporate finance to the classroom, Elton developed an engaging curriculum tailored to demystify complex economic concepts for students of all ages, ranging from elementary workshops to middle and high school cohorts. Under his guidance, young students are empowered to take notes, research stocks, and confidently discuss foundational market principles like “Market Cap,” “tariffs,” and the “S&P 500.”
Elton’s innovative program has even earned college credit recognition for KYCC students, opening doors to higher education and future careers long before they even graduate high school. His unique framework perfectly mirrors the core philosophy of the Ares In Motion (“AIM”) initiative, proving that when professional talent meets community passion, it creates a sustainable blueprint for lasting societal change.
Elton was recently celebrated as a community hero on center court during the Los Angeles Clippers’ Korean Heritage Night, a massive honor that brought his journey full circle in front of the city he loves. Furthermore, his efforts helped secure KYCC’s selection as this year’s Elevating API Voices ERG Charitable Giving Winner. Read on to hear more of his inspiring story.
Elton and students learning that a paintbrush is much more difficult to use than an Excel spreadsheet.
Tell us about your volunteer role and organization.
I lead an “Investing & Finance Club” for Koreatown Youth Community Center (KYCC), a nonprofit in Los Angeles that provides various resources for recently immigrated or economically disadvantaged families, including after-school programs, mental health counseling, and small business development aid. My work began in 2024 with a series of workshops for its after-school students. Since then, we’ve had Spring and Fall sessions spanning elementary, middle, and high school, each with weekly guided lessons and a hands-on game, in which students pick a favorite company or stock to track over the coming weeks, competing for prizes. The goal of the program is to introduce foundational economics, business, and investing topics to the students in a fun and immersive way, including how to measure the health of a company, defining revenues, cost, and profits, how to think of an economic value for a company, what a stock is and what it represents for a company, and how to think of a portfolio, diversification, and the power of compounding.
This was a personal passion project that began casually and with some trial-and-error – I would just come by KYCC on Friday afternoons and chat to the students about what was happening in the markets. Along the way, we figured out a more formalized curriculum structure and expanded the partnership with KYCC to cover various community service events, such as Koreatown beautification and cleanup events, volunteering for its annual Holiday carnival, and painting a mural for its pre-school campus. This also wouldn’t have been possible without the support and time of some of my amazing colleagues at Ares Management. Big thanks to everyone who showed up for the community!
Why is this issue so important to you?
First, I’m a huge finance and stocks nerd. Second, I was born and raised in Koreatown, Los Angeles, just down the street from KYCC and my elementary school, and I can’t thank the community enough for all it’s given me and my family. This is a way to pay it forward, in the limited ways that I know how. My parents immigrated from Korea when they were teenagers, knowing very little English and with a very unclear path for their future here. But they acclimated and, through various jobs at convenience stores, local advertising agencies, and kimbap snack shops, were able to support me and my sister. I’m deeply grateful to them for taking the risk to set up a new life here, instilling in me my love for this community, and for constantly reminding me of my roots.
Their experiences did instill a somewhat risk averse mentality when it came to personal finance, however, a completely natural outcome after grinding for every dollar of cash earned. There was some anxiety or discomfort of the unfamiliar financial system here, compounded further by general market volatility, which I felt was a common sentiment amongst friends who were also from immigrant families.
Also, prior to college, our school curriculum included almost zero exposure to finance and investing, aside from some tangential lessons from courses like AP Economics. I think this is unfortunate and still significantly disadvantages immigrant, lower-income families today. It might be the case that, even with knowledge of the markets and personal finance, they decide for themselves that they’ll still err on the side of risk aversion and have less of an appetite for equity markets. However, it’s important that they’re at least given the option and ability to participate, and I believe any early exposure can help. The power of compounding applies much greater to a dollar invested as a child than a dollar invested as an adult.
What inspired you to get started with this initiative?
My love and pride for Koreatown runs deep, but I always felt like I wasn’t doing my part. One day, I was catching up with an elementary school friend over some soju and reminiscing about the taekwondo classes, Korea’s epic 2002 World Cup run, and trading “Yu-Gi-Oh” cards at the playground. KYCC also came to mind, particularly because I had recently been involved in coaching a very close friend through the interview process for finance jobs. It was a bit of a rollercoaster given a tough job market, but thankfully it ended with success and became an incredibly rewarding experience that made me realize I may have a knack for teaching. So this program seemed like a perfect way to bring everything full circle and I brought up the idea with KYCC. They loved it… and the rest is history!
Any future partnerships, programs or events that you are excited about?
I’m excited to continue evolving this program with future sessions – we’ve now worked with every grade level KYCC supports, tweaking the complexity of the curriculum accordingly, but there’s always something new to add, a new market event that’s topical, or a new stock in vogue. Markets never stand still!
Hopefully, we can also ramp up the scale of the program. I can only be in one place at one time, and I also still have a fulltime day job! So sheer time and bandwidth have been the biggest limiters, but we’ve been thinking of ways to get other organizations involved or have others run with the curriculum in other locations. We’re also working on some more programming with KYCC this year, including an office visit “career day” and Korean Heritage Nights for some sporting events.
What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization?
KYCC has an incredible history in the community already, now over 50 years old, and I’m very bullish on where it can go from here. I admire all the staff members and volunteers I’ve met there, and it’s clear that they are not only good at what they do, but inherently amazing human beings who can empathize with a wide array of backgrounds. I hope I can just be one part of that and help it impact more families, carry over into future generations, and continue being a safe haven for the community.
Specifically for my program, the goal isn’t necessarily to have every third grader understand discounted cash flow models years from now. Rather, I just hope some of the curiosity for personal finance, economics, and the markets sticks. Someday many years from now, we can also look back at their stock picks, hopefully see how much they compounded, and maybe they’ll even be inspired to pursue careers in business or finance.
What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?
I was worried that the students might find the topics boring or difficult to relate to, so I was incredibly grateful that their reaction was the exact opposite. Their attention and enthusiasm motivated me to keep this program going, and it’s been the highlight of the week for every week we’ve had the program. They would jump from their seats when I come into the classroom and immediately ask which stock had won, how theirs did, and what the key reasons were – seeing the intellectual curiosity was truly heartwarming. I also felt so proud that at such a young age and after just a few lessons, they could recall concepts like diversification, enterprise value, and stagflation. I was nowhere near that precocious – personally, I learned the definition of EBITDA at a way later age than any of them!
The first KYCC Investing and Stocks Club. Participants went to the moon!
What have you learned through your experiences volunteering?
There was a ton of nostalgia for me with this program and it reminded me of my own roots and upbringing in Koreatown. I went to public school through high school and never managed to go to paid private after-school or tutoring programs, so I know the value that institutions like KYCC brings to the community. The importance of keeping in mind where I came from really struck me and it was great to connect with students and families of such diverse backgrounds – we can always improve on our ability to empathize. We also always hear the phrase, “Explain like I’m 5” and I do think this experience has helped me practice putting myself in the shoes of the audience and calibrating a lesson so it resonates as effectively as possible, which I’m now more conscious of in my everyday job. Whether you’re in an investment committee meeting in an alternative asset management firm or an elementary school workshop, communication is key.
The students also undoubtedly taught me some finance lessons themselves. For the record, I was also picking stocks during these games, and I got absolutely trounced every season – whether by an under-the-radar shipping ETF, an Asian toy company, or a play on the AI semiconductor supply chain. Although, as a team, our picks did outperform the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 fairly consistently, so I’d like to think there was some wisdom of the crowd here!
Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?
My students taught me the importance of “touching grass.” They’re much more in touch with current slang and colloquialisms, but this essentially means stepping away from the daily bubble of corporate work hustle.
I think we can all get insular in our thinking when working and socializing with the same crowd in our everyday lives. This experience felt very humanizing and reminded me that there’s a lot more that can be learned when detaching from an Excel spreadsheet or Bloomberg terminal for a bit. A broader perspective goes a long way, and if a community has played such an integral role as Koreatown did for me, it’s only right that I give something back, as small as the effort may be in the grand scheme of things.
Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?
If there’s a community or opportunity you’re interested in, don’t be afraid to take the leap. My issue when starting out was “’analysis paralysis.” I wanted to make sure to optimize for time and resources, while I didn’t come across volunteer roles that hit all the notes of what I was looking for. Even when I had the initial inspiration for the KYCC project, I had some reservations because I didn’t have a fully baked curriculum and I worried the kids wouldn’t find it engaging.
But I’m very glad I got the ball rolling, iterated and took feedback along the way, and embraced some spontaneity. For example, as a starting point, if there’s an organization whose mission resonates with you, don’t be afraid to make a cold outreach, have an introductory conversation, and brainstorm together on what exact role you might be able to play. Simply put, just go for it!
Showing Up is Half the Battle, Says This Volunteer
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Craig Dubishar. Read his story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
All his life, Craig Dubishar has been saying that everyone should get out there and volunteer. With a lifelong commitment to serving others, Craig is a testament to this idea. Twenty-six years ago, Craig was working as an attorney at the law firm Venable, Baetjer and Howard. A dear friend was on the board of directors at Volunteer Fairfax, an organization that engages people and organizations to amplify their community impact. Craig had already graduated from Leadership Fairfax, a community leadership service organization, and saw an opportunity when his friend was stepping off the board after eight years. In that moment, Craig jumped in and offered to be on the board. Throughout the next 26 years, he has served as Secretary, Vice President and President of the Board for two consecutive years of the Board. Nearly three decades later, Craig is the longest-standing board member for that organization.
In addition to his work with Volunteer Fairfax, Craig has a variety of additional volunteer avenues he frequently travels. A part of the Boy Scouts of America since 1968, Craig has been a registered Scouter with the National Capital Area Council (NCAC) since 1998, in addition to several other roles associated with the Scouts. He regularly teaches the “Land Navigation” hands-on unit to up-and-coming high adventure participants and is a leader of High Adventure Council’s Adult Advisor annual shakedown, preparing them for backpacking expeditions. Whether he’s leading treks on the Appalachian Trail or serving in Eagle Board of Reviews to learn what rising Eagles are doing to serve others, Craig carries that mission of service and adventure with him.
After 26 years at Volunteer Fairfax, Craig just resigned from the board. He’s getting toward retirement age and no longer lives in Fairfax County. But that doesn’t mean his time of volunteerism has come to a close. Ultimately, Craig believes his greatest skill is just showing up, and there’s no doubt that he’ll keep on doing so. His shining example to be a force for good can inspire us all to do the same.
CRAIG DUBISHAR SERVES AS THE VOLUNTEER PHOTOGRAPHER FOR A NATIONAL AVIATION HALL OF FAME EVENT. /COURTESY OF CRAIG DUBISHAR
What inspired you to get started with this initiative?
Twenty-six years ago, I was at the law firm Venable, Baetjer and Howard, and one of my good buddies was on the board of directors at Volunteer Fairfax. Venable was a sponsor of Volunteer Fairfax, and still is all these years later. In 2000, I was already a graduate of Leadership Fairfax, a community leadership service organization. When my friend was departing from the board after eight years, I jumped in and offered to be on the board. I’m the longest-standing board member for that organization, so I’ve been on the board for 26 years. This was one of those opportunities where I had the time and the energy to actually give time to it.
What inspires you to volunteer?
Citizens of the United States are fortunate. I grew up in middle-class America with a stay-at-home mom. My dad just finished high school, but was a career force officer, and we still had more than most people throughout the world. Helping the community and volunteering are just something we should do. Looking for volunteer opportunities is something I think we all should do, and I try to do.
Tell us about your volunteer role with Volunteer Fairfax.
I’ve been volunteering all my life. At Volunteer Fairfax, I’m on the board of directors to help provide leadership and guidance. Throughout the year, there might be a Volunteer Fest, a day that the organization would coordinate with nonprofits throughout Fairfax County, get volunteers and coordinate that interaction and connection so that they can get those projects done. As board members, we were encouraged to get out on Volunteer Fest days to do whatever it might be. Back in the day, I took the emergency management training for the volunteer center. Volunteer Fairfax has a seat at the Fairfax County Emergency Center, so whenever that’s activated, whether it’s Hurricane Isabel or a presidential election, the board could help with that. I trained for that role.
What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?
Volunteering is critical. Being with a regional nonprofit where their focus is to coordinate and find volunteers and have meaningful volunteer activities is super important. I’ve also been on the National Capital Area Council High Adventure Committee for 26 years as well, and our goal is to make sure those adventure activities, which include canoeing, backpacking, scuba diving and sailing, are available and taught to the Scouts. I focus on backpacking. It’s very rewarding to see Scouts get out and have a life-changing experience backpacking for two weeks, and then see how that grows into a lifelong passion for that kind of sport, being healthy and leadership.
The Haiti mission trips that I’ve either led or been on eight times are amazingly rewarding because you see that the relationships you build with people are meaningful. They absolutely need clean water, they absolutely need shelter, but listening to them and helping to find money to build their own shelter was extraordinarily meaningful.
What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?
Hugely humbling experiences. I sometimes think to myself that I’m not doing enough, because you see and hear and meet the people who are doing volunteer stuff throughout the county, and they’re doing amazing things. It just motivates you to want to do more and be so thankful for volunteers. That’s a huge motivation: just knowing that there really is an impact. Volunteers make a huge impact. Without volunteers, many things would not happen in our country, not just in Fairfax County. Volunteering is critical to supporting your community.
CRAIG DUBISHAR AND ADULT ADVISORS STAND AT THE MEADOW CLEARING CONSERVATION PROJECT AT PHILMONT SCOUT RANCH. /COURTESY OF CRAIG DUBISHAR
Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?
You’re probably not going to have people volunteer for things that they don’t care about, or that they’re neutral about. You’ve got to go and introduce people to things that they might care about and have a passion for, or help them connect with those organizations that need that passion.
That’s really what motivates me. I’m not going to go volunteer for an organization that I have no clue about, or any idea what they do. I’m looking for organizations that I feel either my skill set or my passions can connect with. It’s critical to help make that connection.
Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?
You’ve got to fish or cut bait, so to speak. If you’re thinking about volunteering, but you’re not really sure, that’s step number one. You’re at least thinking in a community-minded mode. Number two: just go find something. Go to your library, go to your local web search. Mr. Google probably will find something for you. I think the third thing is to be patient and understanding, so that if you have that first volunteer experience and it didn’t really hit home for you, do it again. Don’t give up after one or two times. Do it again, because there are so many opportunities out there.
What do you want people to learn from your story?
All I’ve done all my life is show up. I show up and then I help. I do things, and I take photographs and spread the word. Showing up is the first step. That’s what we do. We show up, and once we show up and keep showing up, you gain that passion for volunteering because you’re getting something out of it, which is making an impact on somebody else’s life. But you’re clearly also impacting that life and impacting their community. I think the message I want people to hear is just to show up.
Turning 9/11 History into Shared, Remembered Humanity
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Maria Jaffe. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
At the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City, Maria Jaffe connects a historic tragedy with the millions who come to understand it. Her journey of service began in the exhausting days immediately following September 11, 2001, when she volunteered with the Red Cross during the intense Rescue and Recovery effort. Deeply inspired by her own experiences on the ground and the lifelong dedication of her father, a retired FDNY firefighter, Maria found her calling, and in 2014, she transitioned into a permanent role, joining the museum as a dedicated Volunteer Docent.
For over a decade, Maria has infused the museum’s solemn galleries with a warm, welcoming presence that instinctively draws visitors in. She has intimate knowledge of the artifacts and the complexity of that fateful day and, through thoughtful, evocative storytelling, helps bring history alive. Maria teaches lessons on human resilience, compassion and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Throughout her remarkable tenure, she has contributed over 1,715 hours of service, welcoming and educating a global community that includes over 96 million Memorial visitors and more than 27 million Museum visitors. Within the tight-knit volunteer cohort and the broader 9/11 community, Maria has also built lifelong bonds.
Maria played a hands-on role in organizing the donation of a piece of World Trade Center steel to Gander, Newfoundland. This symbolic gesture honored the small Canadian town that famously opened its hearts and homes to thousands of stranded airline travelers on 9/11. Maria continues to demonstrate that the ultimate legacy of remembrance is not just looking back at the past, but actively moving forward with kindness, connection and hope. Read on to hear more of why she does what she does.
Maria Jaffee has been volunteering with the 9/11 Memorial & Museum since 2014.
Tell us about your volunteer role and organization.
As a volunteer docent at the 9/11 National Memorial and Museum, I have the opportunity to speak with visitors from across America and all over the world. I help them to better understand the significance behind the many artifacts and exhibits throughout the museum by sharing the history, facts and personal stories connected to that day in a meaningful and respectful way. Every interaction is different. It is incredibly meaningful to see people reflect, ask questions and connect with the stories of resilience, loss, courage and unity that continue to resonate so deeply today.
What inspired you to get started with this initiative?
My volunteer work with the American Red Cross in the days following 9/11. I helped to prepare and organize meals for the first responders. We ensured that they had something to eat and a place where they could sit down and rest during an incredibly exhausting, overwhelming and emotional time. Years later, when the 9/11 Museum opened, I returned to become a docent. It was my way of paying it forward to New York City by honoring the thousands of victims and the many first responders. I was and still am honored to be a part of the city’s hope and resiliency.
Why is this issue so important to you?
This issue is so important to me because it is personal. My father was a New York City firefighter, and I grew up with a profound respect and appreciation for first responders and all service members. The events of September 11 were horrific and heartbreaking, and like so many New Yorkers, I carry the memory of that day with me. Volunteering at the 9/11 Museum gives me the opportunity of helping to ensure that people never forget what happened. It is my way of honoring each and every victim that was killed during that unimaginable and evil tragedy.
What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization?
My long-term goal is to continue growing as a docent and finding more ways to contribute to the Museum’s mission. I’m eager to learn more about the history and deepen my understanding of the personal stories that have evolved from September 11, so that I may become better at engaging with the visitors in a meaningful and thoughtful way.
What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?
Being a docent has taught me how powerful storytelling can be. When visitors come into the museum, many of them are very emotional. I am always amazed by the empathy and respect that they have for the victims. I listen to the feelings that they themselves experienced that day and answer any questions they may have with accuracy and sensitivity.
What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?
Becoming a docent at the 9/11 Museum has been extremely rewarding. My life is much richer and more meaningful because of it. It has connected me to a larger community and has inspired me to become involved with other organizations throughout New York City. One of the most rewarding parts of my work is the friendships I have made. I am surrounded by the most empathetic, kind and compassionate people. They have become some of my closest and dearest friends and I am very grateful for that.
Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?
It gives you an opportunity to do for others, with your heart. It gives you a sense of unity, compassion and goodness by coming together with like-minded people who genuinely care.
Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?
Find a cause that genuinely means something to you. You don’t have to have special experience or know exactly what you’re doing right away. Showing up with an open heart and a willingness to help… that’s all it takes to get started! It can feel a bit intimidating at first, but once you begin, you’ll see that you’re surrounded by people who care about making a difference also.
Reliable Transportation Opens the Door to Better Health
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Shayan Siddiqui. Read his story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
Shayan Siddiqui is cofounder and president of MiCaringHeart, a youth-led nonprofit working to improve the lives of children with sickle cell disease. After seeing firsthand through his physician parents—particularly his mother, a sickle cell specialist—that patients at Children’s Hospital of Michigan were missing essential medical appointments because they lacked reliable transportation, Shayan knew something as simple as getting to the hospital could have life-altering consequences. Since helping launch MiCaringHeart in 2021, he has led fundraising campaigns, secured grants, raised awareness through social media and partnered closely with the hospital’s sickle cell social worker to support a transportation program that helps patients and families reach critical appointments. By removing one of the biggest barriers to care, Shayan and MiCaringHeart are helping children receive the treatment they need while easing the burden on families already navigating a complex medical condition. His work demonstrates how identifying a practical community need can lead to meaningful, lasting impact.
The issues that exist today will not simply disappear tomorrow. No progress has ever been made by those who do not actively seek to create it. We must work today to give ourselves and future generations a better tomorrow.
For Shayan, volunteering has never been about acting alone. He credits his parents, hospital staff and the many supporters who have contributed to MiCaringHeart’s mission with making its success possible. That spirit of collaboration shapes the advice he shares with other young people: seek help, learn from those already doing the work and don’t be afraid to ask others to join your efforts. He also believes young people have a responsibility to help solve today’s challenges because they will inherit the consequences of the decisions made now. Looking ahead, Shayan hopes to continue growing MiCaringHeart so it can serve even more people living with sickle cell disease while inspiring other young leaders to take action on the causes that matter most to them. By combining compassion with practical solutions, he is helping build a healthier future for patients and demonstrating that meaningful change begins when someone decides to act.
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Ovee Dharwadkar. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
Ovee Dharwadkar is breaking the digital divide, one senior at a time. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ovee saw her grandmother struggling to stay connected with others without sufficient technology skills. While Ovee and her sister were at home with their grandmother, they were busy during the day with online classes. When their grandma would ask questions about things like sending a picture to a friend, Ovee realized that actions that were second nature to a digital-first teen were entirely foreign to seniors. It was then that she decided to channel her personal challenge into global impact.
Ovee founded Tech Me Kid, a student-led organization empowering seniors to become confident digital citizens. By organizing and leading in-person and online sessions to teach seniors how to use basic technology, Ovee and the TMK team are directly connecting seniors with young people for whom technology skills are second nature. Whether it’s learning how to send a text message or how to log onto Zoom for a virtual event, the Tech Me Kid team’s 8 to 12 monthly events are helping seniors feel less disconnected in an increasingly digital society.
So far, Tech Me Kid has taught more than 10,000 people. The organization also partnered with more than 20 organizations, as well as a team of more than 200 volunteers in 15 cities across the world. They also help seniors stay safe online in an environment that often preys on them. Tech Me Kid launched the #1MSecureTogether campaign to educate one million people on online safety. In just four months, it reached more than 300,000 people through education sessions and scam alerts.
While Tech Me Kid is a huge success already, Ovee isn’t stopping just yet. Currently a rising senior in high school, Ovee is preparing to head out into the world, where she’s interested in pursuing a career in technology. In addition to helping thousands of seniors connect with others, her robust volunteer experience has served as a launchpad for her future career. Her story is a testament to how much influence young people can have when they choose to help others.
What inspired you to get started with this initiative?
During COVID, all of us were quarantined at home. I saw my grandma being affected and struggling with this the most because she lacked basic technology skills and was struggling to use her phone to stay connected with friends and family. Luckily, I was there at home, and my sister and I could help her. However, I realized that all of her friends and other seniors across the world didn’t have someone to go to when they needed help. That was the main reason that prompted me to start this initiative.
What inspires you to volunteer?
Seeing the impact that it’s made in my local community, and that feeling of wanting to bring that to more people across the country and the world. After I hosted my very first technology class in my local community center, it was just so amazing to see these seniors. They were so happy that they learned a new skill, and I really just wanted to take this love and grow the connection outside of my own community and on a broader scale, which is what I’m so grateful that we have achieved here at Tech Me Kid.
Tell us about your volunteer role with Tech Me Kid.
We have private one-on-one sessions, but our main focus is going to be on group events. We host four to eight in-person sessions across the world. Usually, this time is spent doing presentations on a basic technology concept. For example, how to use Google or how to send an image in messages. We also have personalized, almost one-on-one support. After we finish our presentations, we have all of our volunteers sit down with each senior so that they can answer any questions. They go over the instructions again and make sure to take it nice and slow, so that they completely understand the concept and can answer any other technology questions.
What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization?
I’ve set up the organization so there’s a structure, and there are also promotions after every year, so the organization will definitely continue beyond me. I have a lot of people who are younger than me who will take on my role in the future as I graduate. That’s how I’m keeping this organization running, while making sure there are people ready to fill in positions to continue that cycle.
What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?
Seeing the smiles on all of the seniors’ faces after they finally understand how to send a message, or learn how to use their phones, is so rewarding. Seeing them be so satisfied is what really has been pushing me. I have seniors that come to me after classes, and they are just so grateful and appreciative that they are finally able to learn new things after being scared and apprehensive about using their phones. Because all of our volunteers are younger, like students in middle or high school, a lot of these seniors tell me it’s like talking to their grandchild. That’s that next level of intergenerational connection.
What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?
The main thing that I’ve learned is how to try to get other people to believe in this message. On the surface, teaching seniors technology isn’t a very prevalent issue in comparison to a lot of other issues, so the main thing that I’ve learned is really trying to get people to understand the message. The way that I’ve done that is I get real seniors to come and share their frustrations, and we show the impact on a local scale. We show how it’s possible to teach all these seniors nationwide by connecting them with these younger individuals. What I’ve learned is getting people to understand the goal that was really driving me throughout this entire period, and how exactly they can see that and scale it to a national level.
Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?
Volunteering and helping out your community is such an amazing cause. Not only because it helps the community and the people, but personally I get a lot of self-satisfaction from it. I feel like I’m taking part in helping people. I feel good knowing that I helped someone and they feel happy about it. That little act of teaching someone or just getting involved in volunteering for like an hour can pile up and compound.
What do you want people to learn from your story?
If I have to pick one thing from my story, it would be never stop trying. As cliché as it sounds, that is really the message that’s been driving me. No matter the obstacles that I’ve faced throughout this entire period, helping my grandma and scaling it to a national level was the main thing that was keeping me pushing. I always knew that it was something that had to be addressed, so no matter how much pushback I faced, I always kept that in mind. That was the main thing that really pushed me to grow it as big as it is.
Do you want to make a difference in your community like Ovee? Find local volunteer opportunities.
