Hands of Hope

Hands of Hope

Project Focus: Lifesaving skills and alternative higher education pathways.

Target Audience and Location: High school students in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Vision: A future where every student is trained in CPR, enhancing community safety and career opportunities.

Mission: To equip Jersey City high school students with lifesaving skills through CPR training and community outreach while encouraging alternative pathways beyond traditional higher education.

Project Description: Scholar Rayana Ba and her educator Sundoes Elbery created their project to provide high school students in their area with essential lifesaving skills, specifically hands-only CPR, to enhance community safety and students’ career opportunities. Recognizing the importance of CPR training in saving lives, the project aims to ensure that every student is equipped with this critical skill. In addition, Hands of Hope promotes alternative education pathways by highlighting career opportunities in healthcare and other fields that don’t require traditional four-year college degrees.

Through hands-only CPR workshops that do not require certification, community outreach, and career exploration activities, Hands of Hope empowers students with the knowledge and skills they need to make a positive impact in their communities. The initiative not only prepares students for potential careers but also fosters a sense of responsibility and leadership, ensuring they are well-equipped for both immediate and long-term success.

As a student leader, Rayana is most proud of “creating a team that consists of mostly underclassmen with five dedicated student leaders and forming strong partnerships with principals at two high schools.”