Comfort Crew

Project Focus: Period Poverty

Target Audience and Location: Low-income menstruating students at John I. Leonard High School in Greenacres, Florida.

Vision: The financial strain and stigma caused by menstruation does not exist so all students can learn and thrive.

Mission: Through advocacy efforts, partnerships, and donations, we ensure that all students have reliable, free access to menstrual supplies at school.

Project Description: Scholar Angelica Mejia and educator Carla Rodas-Piña created their project to address period poverty, an issue impacting many low-income students who struggle to afford essential menstrual products. Recognizing the impact of this issue on students’ well-being and academic performance, the project aims to eliminate financial barriers and reduce the stigma surrounding menstruation.

Through partnerships with local organizations, advocacy efforts, and donations, Comfort Crew provides free access to menstrual supplies in school bathrooms and health offices at their school. The team also works to raise awareness about period poverty and advocate for sustainable solutions to ensure all students can focus on their education without worry. By addressing this need, Comfort Crew strives to create a supportive environment where all students can thrive.

As a student leader, Angelia is most proud of “reaching out for help instead of trying to do everything on my own and showing initiative and excitement that helped build a team of amazing students committed to our mission.”

EDUnity

Project Focus: Parent education to improve college access.

Target Audience and Location: Immigrant parents of Baltimore City High School students in Baltimore, Maryland.

Vision: All immigrant families actively support their children in accessing higher education so that students feel empowered to make decisions about their future.

Mission: To provide a structured affinity program that offers monthly social gatherings and college resources to students and their families.

Project Description: Scholar Brissia Lopez Castro and educator Evelyn Pearcy created their project to address the barriers immigrant families face in supporting their children’s journey to higher education. Many immigrant parents lack knowledge about the U.S. college application process and available resources, which can limit their ability to guide their children effectively. The project offers a structured program that provides monthly social gatherings where families can connect, learn, and access college-related resources.

By facilitating these gatherings and offering workshops on topics like financial aid, application processes, and scholarship opportunities, EDUnity aims to empower immigrant parents with the knowledge and tools to actively support their children’s academic aspirations. The project strives to bridge the information gap, ensuring that all families can help their students succeed and pursue higher education with confidence.

As a student leader, Brissia is proud of “organizing my community change project during a busy senior year and finding such great team members who were willing to step out of their comfort zones and invite their parents to EDUnity events.”

Finanzas Sin Fronteras (Finances Without Borders)

Project Focus: Financial literacy.

Target Audience and Location: High school students who Woodrow Wilson High School in East Los Angeles, California.

Vision: A future where every student is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make informed financial decisions and build a path to long-term financial success.

Mission: Bridge educational gaps for students by providing opportunities to develop healthy decision-making skills around their personal finances.

Project Description: Scholar Hanna Corona and educator Dan Thalkar developed their project to address the lack of financial literacy education at their school, where many students face economic challenges and limited access to financial education resources. The project aims to empower students by teaching them essential financial skills, such as budgeting, saving, and understanding credit, to prepare them for financial independence and success. Through workshops, interactive lessons, and real-world applications, Finanzas Sin Fronteras provides students with the tools they need to make informed financial decisions.

As a student leader, Hanna is most proud of “my team’s resilience and eagerness to engage students from all grade levels. We are committed to our project and passionate about reaching our goal, which makes working on this team extremely fun and fulfilling!”

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.”

IMPACT (Inclusive Muslim Program for Awareness, Community, and Tolerance)

Project Focus: Muslim student belonging and inclusion.

Target Audience and Location: Muslim students in the Anoka-Hennepin school district in Minnesota.

Vision: School communities understand and honor Muslim students’ needs so that all students feel welcomed and valued.

Mission: To engage school staff and faculty in how they can meet Muslim student’s needs through education and advocacy.

Project Description: Scholar Kamar Sati and educator Virginia Brown Acevez developed IMPACT to address the challenges Muslim students face in their school district, especially related to their religious and cultural needs. The project aims to create a more inclusive and supportive environment by educating faculty and staff about the unique needs of Muslim students, including the need for Eid to be recognized on the school calendar so that Muslim students do not need to miss school to observe this important holiday.

Through professional development sessions and workshops, IMPACT engages educators in learning how to better support Muslim students while building understanding and inclusion. The project also advocates with district administration with the goal of adding Eid to the school calendar. By raising awareness of Muslim student’s cultural and religious practices, the project works to foster an environment where all Muslim students feel a strong sense of belonging and can fully participate in their education without compromising their culture and faith.

As a student leader, Kamar is most proud that “we’ve made tremendous progress toward policy change with my district and formed a strong partnership with the Brooklyn Park Islamic Center.”

LEAP (Literacy Enhancement & Advancement Project)

Project Focus: Early childhood literacy.

Target Audience and Location: Kindergarten through 3rd grade students enrolled in the after-school program at Southside Preparatory Academy identified as having low English proficiency in Miami, Florida.

Vision: Students have a joyful and supportive experience learning English so that they can thrive and have access to equal opportunities throughout life.

Mission: To nurture young English language learners so that they confidently build their literacy skills by providing consistent after-school tutoring with caring high school volunteers.

Project Description: Scholar Amy Zho and educator Martha Cabrera always knew they wanted to focus their Scholar project on literacy, something they were both passionate about. Their project was developed to support Southside Preparatory Academy’s kindergarten through third-grade students who are in their after-school program and struggling with low English proficiency. Their goal is to create a positive and engaging learning environment where these students can build their literacy skills and gain confidence.

LEAP provides consistent after-school tutoring, pairing students in the after-school program with dedicated high school volunteers who offer personalized attention and guidance. Through this support, students can improve their reading, writing, and language skills in a nurturing and patient environment. The project aims to ensure that all students, regardless of their language background, have the foundational skills needed to succeed academically and access equal opportunities in their futures.

As a student leader, Amy is most proud of “assembling a team committed to volunteering twice every week over the course of eight months and watching my team become invested in their students’ learning and growth.”

Pathways to Possibility

Project Focus: Career readiness for students with physical disabilities.

Target Audience and Location: Students with physical disabilities, ages 14 to 18, who live in the Portland, Oregon, metro area.

Vision: Students with physical disabilities will confidently advocate for themselves in the hiring process so that they can thrive in the workforce.

Mission: Pathways to Possibility provides mentorship, virtual webinars, and advocacy training to 14 to 18-year-old students with physical disabilities.

Project Description: Scholar Kahlial Lofquist and educator Anne Warrington were clear from the start that they wanted to create a project focused on helping students with disabilities. Their project was created to support students with physical disabilities in their area as they prepare for the workforce. Recognizing the unique challenges these students face, the project aims to build their confidence and equip them with the skills necessary to advocate for themselves during the hiring process and beyond.

The program offers mentorship, virtual webinars on career readiness topics, and advocacy training to help students with disabilities prepare for and navigate the work world. By connecting students with role models and providing them with practical tools, Pathways to Possibility empowers them to set and pursue their career goals.

As a student leader, Kahlial is proud “our team has grown, we reached out to local organizations to form partnerships and the framework for our program is set.”

Project O.T.T.E.R. (Optimizing Talent in Technology, Engineering, and Readiness)

Project Focus: Representation in engineering fields.

Target Audience and Location: Low-income African American high school students in the Dallas Independent School District in Dallas, Texas.

Vision: Students have access to academic and extracurricular resources to transform their lives and positively impact their communities through economic mobility and increased representation in engineering fields.

Mission: To expose African American students to STEM activities by providing free engineering lessons, student mentoring, and access to national engineering organizations.

Project Description: Scholar Albert Westbrook and educator Julie Carver developed their project to address the underrepresentation of African American students in engineering fields, especially those from low-income backgrounds. The project aims to provide these students with the resources and support they need to pursue careers in STEM, particularly engineering, by engaging them in hands-on activities, mentorship, and access to national engineering organizations.

Through free engineering lessons, one-on-one student mentoring, and connecting students with professional networks and opportunities, Project O.T.T.E.R. plans to build the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the engineering field. The initiative also focuses on fostering a strong sense of community, encouraging students to be role models and advocates for increased diversity in STEM. Ultimately, O.T.T.E.R. seeks to create pathways for economic mobility and increased representation of African American students in the engineering workforce, positively impacting both their lives and their communities.

As a student leader, Albert is most proud of “Connecting community members that are passionate about engineering to students who want to learn how they can positively impact our community whilst being an engineer or other STEM professional.

Rights in Reach

Project Focus: Disability rights.

Target Audience and Location: Students with 504s and Individualized Education Plans within the Cobb County area of Atlanta, Georgia.

Vision: All teachers meet the needs of students with disabilities in the classroom so that they feel prioritized and included in the education system.

Mission: To provide educators with free and accessible tools to support students with disabilities who require Individualized Education or 504 Plans.

Project Description: Scholar Lizzie Casaleno and mentor Adriana Jackson created this project to ensure that students with disabilities in Cobb County receive the education and support they need to succeed. The project focuses on providing educators with the tools and training necessary to meet the unique needs of students with 504s and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).

By offering free and accessible resources, accommodations strategies and professional development opportunities, Rights in Reach empowers teachers to better support students with disabilities. The project also advocates for greater awareness and understanding of disability rights within the education system. They ultimately seek to create an inclusive, equitable learning environment where students with disabilities can thrive academically and feel valued, seen and heard in their educational journeys.

As a student leader, Lizzie is most proud of “the perseverance I have had when speaking to possible partners and the abundance of knowledge our team has gained about 504s and IEPs to achieve our goals.”

R.I.S.E (Resources for Inclusive Support and Empowerment)

Project Focus: Mental health.

Target Audience and Location: Students in the Freeport High School Community who are suffering from anxiety, stress or depression in Freeport, New York.

Vision: A healthy, accepting and loving community where every individual, regardless of background, has equitable access to the wellness resources and support they need to succeed.

Mission: To empower students to co-create effective and accessible wellness resources that promote healthy stress management and mental health support within our community.

Project Description: Scholar Evan Negron and educator Lawrence Bamberger developed their project to address the mental health challenges faced by students at their school, particularly those dealing with anxiety, stress, and depression. Recognizing the need for accessible support, the project focuses on empowering students to take an active role in co-creating wellness resources that meet their specific needs and foster a culture of well-being.

Through collaborative workshops, peer support networks, and wellness initiatives, R.I.S.E encourages students to actively engage in creating solutions that promote healthy stress management and mental health awareness. The project also works to break the stigma surrounding mental health by offering accessible resources, providing educational outreach, and creating a supportive environment where students can seek help without judgment. R.I.S.E aims to build a community where every student feels supported, understood, and empowered to prioritize their well-being.

As a student leader, Evan is most proud that “I built a committed and fun team and that we organized all of the qualitative data from our student survey responses so it can be shared with our principal and superintendent.”

South African Ideas Festival – Ideas Worth a Shot

Founding History: Since 2011, the Bezos Scholars Program has cultivated a committed partnership with the African Leadership Academy (ALA) in Johannesburg, South Africa. ALA draws students from all over Africa, and every year, we collaborate to select a small team of students, and one educator tasked with planning the annual South African Ideas Festival (SAIF). Each year the team chooses a theme to focus their efforts and impact.

Project Focus: Youth leadership efficacy and skills

Target Audience and Location: Youth, ages 17-19, from low-income townships in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Vision: Generating a prosperous Africa driven by empowered young African leaders.

Mission: To inspire young changemakers to create a positive impact in their communities by building leadership skills and providing supportive mentorship.

Project Description: Scholars Karim Ben Fraj, Amani Nyonyoozi Tumusiime, Helena Appakouo Dogo, Tatenda Shamiso Masambani and Kashimani Simasiku and their educator Nandi Mgwaba, will host a three-day in-person festival at ALA, engaging youth participants from nearby townships and providing food and transportation to ensure accessibility. In collaboration with a team of nine student interns from their school, this year’s festival theme is “Ideas Worth a Shot”. It was designed to foster youth leadership among young people in Johannesburg’s low-income townships. Recognizing the untapped potential within these communities, the project focuses on inspiring and empowering youth to take on leadership roles and drive positive change in their neighborhoods and beyond.

Through workshops, mentorship, and youth-designed collaborative community projects, the festival aims to equip young people with essential leadership skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication. The festival also pairs participants with experienced mentors who will offer guidance, support, and advice as they work on developing their projects which are designed to meet a need in their community. Ideas Worth a Shot aims to cultivate a generation of empowered leaders who will contribute to the prosperity of Africa creating lasting impact in their communities.

As student leaders, the ALA Scholar team is most proud of “our team’s ability to adapt and collaborate creatively with diverse partners to bring our project to life. Watching everyone step out of their comfort zones to contribute their unique skills has been inspiring. We are grateful to be part of such an inspirational team!”

WAVE (Wellness, Activity, Vitality and Engagement)

Project Focus: Bridging the digital divide for older adults.

Target Audience and Location: The 50-year-old or older community that accesses the Friendship Center, a senior community center in the Wayne-Westland area of Michigan.

Vision: A community where older adults engage in meaningful connections so that they experience a fulfilling and healthy life within a supportive community.

Mission: To foster community and vitality for older adults by providing accessible and inclusive social programming and technology skill-building training.

Project Description: Scholar Olivia Farmer and educator Yvette Jonna-Moore created their project to address the digital divide and enhance the social and technological engagement of older adults in the Wayne-Westland area. The project focuses on supporting individuals aged 50 and above who visit their partner organization, The Friendship Center, helping them develop essential technology skills to stay connected with family, friends, and resources.

Through inclusive programming, WAVE aims to improve the wellness and engagement of older adults by bridging gaps in digital literacy. The project offers technology workshops led by high school volunteers on how to use devices, navigate the internet, and access online resources, empowering participants to participate in the digital world with confidence. By fostering community connections and providing skill-building opportunities, WAVE ensures that older adults can live fulfilling, independent lives while feeling supported and connected within their community.

As a student leader, Olivia is proud that “I have interacted with various stakeholders, connecting with the local commission and recreational facilities to publicize our project. And my team, for actively collaborating to build curriculum and establish impactful outreach strategies. They continue to work, even when not prompted, to make this project the best it can be!”

We are proud of all these Scholars, their teams and the projects they developed to positively impact each of their communities! Scholars are diligently working to complete their projects before graduation and ensure they are sustainable. Our goal is for projects to continue for years to come, evolving as new student leaders and adult supporters carry them forward with continued funding support from the Bezos Family Foundation.