Community Change Projects

Scholars turn ideas into real projects that make a difference—in their schools, communities, and beyond. Each project starts with an issue that matters to them and grows into real change.

What is a Community Change Project?

Scholars engage community members to create a project that makes a meaningful difference for a relevant need. Over the course of the program year, they’ll engage in sessions, workshops, activities and assignments that are designed to build and strengthen their leadership skills.

Scholars are supported along the way through coaching from educators and mentors, training alongside peers, and $1,000 in seed funding for their project.

Many projects inspire new student leaders who keep the work going long after the Scholar year ends.

Finding Your Big Idea

At the start, Scholars wrestle with big questions:

What am I passionate about?
Who am I in relation to my community?
What needs do I see around me?
What would lasting change look like?

Through this discovery process, Scholars engage with community members to identify the most pressing needs and the most promising solutions.

Issues Scholars Take On

Through their Community Change Projects, Scholars have tackled big issues such as:

mental health awareness
civic engagement
STEM education
environmental issues
and more!

2025 Bezos Scholar Community Change Projects

Nine months of teamwork, grit, and creativity turned into real impact across diverse issues. Explore the 13 youth-led Community Change Projects from the 2025 Cohort.

Read the announcement post

ASPIRE Program (Achieving Success through Purpose, Inclusion, Respect, and Engagement)

Launched in 2025 by Lindsey LeTran, Ashley Fisher

Mission: To help students develop leadership and problem-solving skills through activities that deepen middle school engagement and prepare them for high school, making it a friendly, inclusive environment for all.

Calle a Casa

Launched in 2025 by Isabella Villalobos, Javier Rubio

Mission: To increase permanent adoptions from El Paso animal shelters by mobilizing volunteers and resources that educate the public about the behavioral and emotional needs shelter animals have.

Caver Ties

Launched in 2025 by Liya Getahun, Jennifer Pickering

Mission: High school students who are first in their families to go to college are equipped with the confidence and connections they need to successfully navigate the college application process through supportive mentoring from first-generation college students.

Comfort Kitchen

Launched in 2025 by Parsmi Rajput, Shelley Hawkins

Mission: We cultivate access to nutritious food on campus for economically disadvantaged high school students through an on-site pantry that provides free, reliable meals in a way that honors students’ dignity and choice.

HERO MD

Launched in 2025 by Turner Daudert, Priscilla A. Grijalva

Mission: To educate young people about healthcare careers by raising awareness through community events and social media engagement.

LINK (Learning, Innovation, Networking & Knowledge)

Launched in 2025 by Euphoria White, Autumn Rose Dowdy

Mission: To create inclusive STEM learning opportunities for high school students through mentoring and activities that encourage them to explore new ideas, build confidence, and gain authentic recognition for their work.

ROOTSS (Reaching Out to Our Talented Scholars in STEM)

Launched in 2025 by Sally Awuku, Felicia Bifulco

Mission: Our mission is to provide a student-led mentorship program that increases Black student enrollment in Advanced Placement, College Now, and Ed Equity STEM courses.

She Leads

Launched in 2025 by Mariam Kandel, Tonya Swan

Mission: To develop the next generation of Muslim women by connecting girls with strong role models and opportunities to increase their leadership skills.

SPARK (Sensory Practices for Advancing Reasoning in Kids)

Launched in 2025 by Nathan Kwok, JulieAnne Halsey

Mission: We equip elementary schools with sensory-based math resources and connect teachers with training opportunities so that classrooms and learning are more accessible for neurodivergent students.

South African Ideas Festival – Leading for Lasting Change

Launched in 2025 by Lubanzi Mhlonishwa Tsabedze, Anotidaishe Chinyadza, Abigail Maina, Elvis Chacha, Marwa Kriraa, Catherine Delight

Mission: To train young changemakers to create a positive impact in their communities through entrepreneurial skills and mentorship so they can lead projects that transform their communities.

Team Align

Launched in 2025 by Jeslyn Kamga, Natalie St. Fleur

Mission: To encourage students to fulfill their purpose by building connections, introducing them to career and extracurricular opportunities, and boosting confidence in their potential.

Tomball Stride

Launched in 2025 by Shaurya Kante, Tiffany Clyde

Mission: We promote safe, accessible walkability for the Tomball High School community through student-led public education and local advocacy.

VOLAR (Voces, Orgullo, Lengua, Amor, Raíces)

Launched in 2025 by Vivian Reyes-Martinez, Emily Thompson

Mission: To cultivate belonging and meaningful participation by uniting Hispanic families and educators through trust-building, celebrating cultural identities, and providing bilingual resources that promote student success.

2024 Continuing Projects

This year, we are thrilled to celebrate the continuation of 22 Community Change Projects, each founded by previous Bezos Scholars. These projects represent innovative and creative solutions to community needs, and their continued growth highlights the dedication and impact of the student leaders who move them forward.

Read the announcement post

Student Wellness Committee

Launched in 2021 by Isabel Ohakamma 

Mission: Provide resources that will assist students with creating a healthy lifestyle that includes physical, mental and nutritional wellness, in addition to being a well-rounded leader in our community.

Day 28 (formerly Youth for HOPE)

Launched in 2023 by Jessie Jingqi Lin

Mission: To advocate for and provide access to free period products to individuals lacking menstrual resources in San Bernardino County shelters through community fundraising and donations.

Wellness 4 Washtenaw

Launched in 2023 by Dyuthi Aryasomayajula

Mission: To increase students’ knowledge of and access to mental health resources by strengthening relationships with mental health providers.

Unite!

Launched in 2022 by Jean Lin

Mission: Unite! increases student engagement in school clubs, organizations and activities by hosting club match events and a club showcase.

STEM Connect

Launched in 2022 by Anish Aradhey

Mission: Reignite STEM academic confidence through peer mentorship and exposure to real-world STEM careers and applications.

South Texas Ideas Festival (STXi)

Launched in 2016 by Michael Mireles

Mission: To create a platform by and for young adults to engage them in an actionable dialogue about culture, community and identity.

POP Festival

Launched in 2021 by Josephine Fields

Mission: To equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to lead a purpose-driven life by connecting them to post-secondary educational institutions and opportunities.

Noteworthy Music Club and Festival

Launched in 2011 by Locher Grove

Mission: To connect students and teachers who are passionate about music and music education to raise money to sponsor music education and buy new instruments for elementary school students in our community.

NorCal Science & Technology Festival

Launched in 2015 by Julie Fukunaga

Mission: To stimulate student/educator and community engagement in STEAMS by encouraging sustainability and celebrating the fun in science, technology, engineering, arts and math.

Mynd Revolution

Launched in 2023 by Brendan Salisbury

Mission: We advocate for and create wellness centers with school communities to prioritize mental health support and resources.

Let’s Connect! Rancho

Launched in 2021 by Runzhi Hu

Mission: To foster a sense of comfort between students and teachers by providing fun, cost-free, and community-building-focused opportunities.

Let’s TALC (Teach, Access, Learn, Choice)

Launched in 2022 by Diya Jha

Mission: Let’s TALC offers teens opportunities for healthy stress relief and to practice informed decision-making about drugs and opioids in a supportive community.

Lamar Thrift

Launched in 2022 by Franklin Wu

Mission: Lamar Thrift engages the student body by hosting ongoing drives in our community to reduce, reuse and recycle their waste.

IGNITE (Inspiring Growth, Nurturing Innovation, and Teaching Empowerment)

Launched in 2023 by Rithika Sivapokaran

Mission: To nurture middle school students’ passion for STEM learning by providing near-peer mentorship and interactive educational activities.

Golden Eagle Outreach

Launched in 2023 by Breanna Wollman

Mission: To cultivate student belonging by promoting team-building activities and service opportunities that help them learn about and connect with their community.

Greater Good in Action (formerly Period.)

Launched in 2022 by Amelia Coates

Mission: Greater Good in Action will provide the Framingham community with accessible resources while offering education and advocacy through campaigns, fundraisers and community events.

FLARE (Financial Literacy and Advancement for Rio Grande Valley Equity)

Launched in 2023 by David Arturo Muñoz Matta

Mission: To advocate and cultivate financial literacy for teens by providing positive learning experiences.

The Dewasters

Launched in 2022 by Jacqueline Ballesteros Martinez

Mission: Through education about how garbage in landfills contributes to climate change, we inspire our community to change their attitude and habits so they actively reduce their waste.

Don’t Oppress Youth Success

Launched in 2023 by Kim Cortes-Martinez

Mission: Through education and advocacy, we inspire educators to utilize positive relationship-building and restorative justice practices while connecting caring high school mentors of color to middle schoolers who need them most.

Colton High School Wellness Fair

Launched in 2019 by Ernest Cisneros

Mission: Colton High School Wellness Fair eliminates the stigma attached to mental health by empowering students to advocate for their mental health needs.

CLIP (Creating Legal Immigration Pathways)

Launched in 2023 by Aayushi Garg

Mission: Advocating for local immigrants by streamlining connections with legal and professional resources through events with community partners.

Civics Delivered

Launched in 2019 by Sarah Tran

Mission: To inspire action among teens and increase awareness of mental health challenges.