Riley’s Way Foundation Announces Winners of the Call for Kindness

Today Riley’s Way Foundation announced the winners of its second Call for Kindness Competition, an annual contest that challenges teens to apply for grants that fund initiatives that strengthen their communities and inspire kindness.

“Today, more than ever, we all need a sense of purpose in our lives,” said Ian Sandler, co-founder of Riley’s Way. “We find purpose in supporting the next generation of kind leaders by providing them with the infrastructure and support necessary to bring lasting change to their communities.”

The national competition builds on the Foundation’s work to empower young leaders to use kindness and empathy to create meaningful connections and drive positive change in the world. The Foundation has awarded 22 inspiring teens across the country with up to $3,000 each to fund their projects. In addition to funding, the teens will join the Riley’s Way Kind Leadership Series, consisting of mentorship, professional development, and peer-learning.

“Teens across the country are leading the charge to make the world a better place,” said Dr. Christine O’Connell, Executive Director of Riley’s Way. “With all of the uncertainty in the world right now, intentional kindness and empathy matter more than ever. The Call for Kindness fellows are shining examples of kind leadership, and their stories inspire all of us to be better to each other. ”

“Being part of the Call for Kindness gave me more hope than I even thought was possible,” said Hannah Wiser, co-founder of Womaze and 2019 Call for Kindness Winner. “I know the future is in good hands and that we are going to change the world together.”

“We were so inspired by the flood of applications and can think of no better tribute to Riley, on what would have been her 15th birthday, than to announce 22 new Call for Kindness fellows. We gain comfort knowing that these amazing Call for Kindness winners will help ensure Riley’s love of friendship and helping others continue on,” explained Ian and Mackenzie Sander, co-founders and Riley’s parents.

The 2020 Call for Kindness Winners are below:

Liam Hannon (13), Cambridge, MA: Liam's Lunches of Love

Feeds people experiencing homelessness, preparing lunches each week to hand out in decorated bags they receive from people all over the world!

Jordan Grabelle (15), Voorhees, NJ: Love Letters for Literacy

Fosters a love of reading among at-risk kids and makes learning the alphabet fun through simple educational games that families can play together. Love Letters has recruited thousands of volunteers to promote childhood literacy in all 50 states and 19 countries.

Jacqueline Means (17), Wilmington, DE: STEM: Today’s Girls, Tomorrow’s STEMinists

Brings STEM to underprivileged girls by leading fun hands-on science experiments and showing that women can dominate in STEM fields. So far, the program has positively impacted over 1,500 young girls!

Devangana Rana (15), Urbana, IL: Global Transition Events

Monthly events that celebrate different cultures and help international students and their families transition to the United States, including navigating American culture and resources like getting a library card, grocery shopping, and helping kids in school.

Chander Payne (17) & Group, Bethesda, MD/DC: Urban Beet

Cultivates compassion through urban farms offering fresh vegetables to students and local people experiencing homelessness. So far, they’ve delivered 2,500 pounds of fresh vegetables to those in need and involved 200+ public high school students.

Michal Ruprecht (19) & Group, Ann Arbor, MI: Flint Justice Partnership

Works to bring attention to the Flint water crisis by partnering with Flint residents and educating University of Michigan students; it’s been over 2,100 days since Flint hasn’t had clean drinking water.

Ava (15) & Sophia (13), Paley, NY: Donate2Dance

Collects gently worn dancewear for dancers in need and dancers with special needs, collecting donationations from all over the country. Donate2Dance currently serves over 65 dance schools.

Matt Tengtrakool (16), Burlington, MA: iRemember

Local teens run community events to help seniors record their stories and memories on a website platform that gives the next generation a collection of real historical and personal perspectives.

Everest Elle Maya-Tudor (17), Miami, FL: STEM Hour

Provides underserved children access to the world of STEM through engaging, hands-on learning activities that enrich the lives of children as they develop a love for science. Currently, the program works with the Little Lighthouse Foundation at the Chapman House, a homeless shelter for families in Miami.

Jonathan Tamen (15) & Group, Miami, FL: Helping Hands

Starting a 3D Printing Club to assemble prosthetic hands and distribute to the poor around the world (as a chapter of e-Nable), and expanding the MiamiBeachBots Robotics and Coding Mentoring Project with local schools.

Julia Dima (16), Brooklyn, NY: Young at Heart Society

Expanding a program where students from St.Anne’s school teach classes and give performances for the elderly at the Saint Charles Jubilee Center.

Anya Shukla & Kathryn Lau (17), Seattle, WA: The Colorization Collective

Promotes diversity, equity, and inclusivity within the arts by amplifying the work of teen artists of color with a bimonthly web-series; written reviews, interviews, and social media campaigns; and a mentorship and performance pathway.

Kristie Moore (16) & Group, Orange County, CA: Amigos de México

Works to break barriers and make their community a more loving place by teaching youth about the Mexican American community the issues it faces through an immersive educational experience consisting of online curriculum, site visits, and cultural activities.

Jayla Wideman (15), Union City, GA: FHL Closets and Tutoring Services

Makes sure students have the basics they need to thrive by filling school closets in underprivileged communities with toiletries, clothes, nonperishable food items, and school supplies; and developing a free tutoring program.

Betel Tenna (18) & Group, Rockville, MD: Project Superkid

Makes superhero blankets and cards for hospitalized children.

Olivia Stone & Grace Dana (15), New York, NY: Confident, Healthy Women

Works to supply women in need with hygiene and menstrual products in and beyond NYC.

Avex Guzhnay (18), Fair Haven, CT: Fair Haven Connects

A door-to-door neighborhood outreach program that brings residents into the political process through voter registration, connects them to important city services, and celebrates the vibrant neighborhood culture.

Agha Haider (16) & Group, St. Louis, MO/WI/TN: Literacy Initiative

Provides STEM-based opportunities to disadvantaged students though after-school programs that include mentoring, sports, reading, and discussions of real-world issues.

Faith Ajanaku (15), Grand Prairie, TX/AZ/CA: Modern Divergence

Works to provide resources to those struggling with mental and developmental conditions, break the stigma of needing to be “fixed” and feeling broken, and create a supportive environment for patients going through long-term treatments through journalism, a podcast, and direct outreach.

Gia Gambino (17), New York, NY: Rise

Supports students with learning disabilities by providing resources to students and parents, advocating for equitable educational opportunities, and creating a community of support and celebration.

Toby Paperno (17) & Group, New York, NY: Teens Take Charge

A student-led coalition that works to develop civic leaders to uplift the student voice in the New York City school system (the largest and most segregated school system in the nation).

Aria Miao & Sarah Hasan (15), Burke, VA/Sweden: The Red Goji

An online food forum and blog promoting worldwide cultural understanding and empathy through food by featuring meaningful cultural recipes from users that are shared and translated into several languages.

About Riley’s Way Foundation

Riley’s Way Foundation sees a future where kind leaders build a better world. We empower young people to use kindness, empathy and meaningful connections to drive that change. A nonprofit organization, Riley’s Way supports and connects young leaders around the country to become powerful voices and kind leaders in their communities. Our three flagship programs provide teens the tools and resources to envision change and achieve it: Riley’s Way Councils, The Call for Kindness, and Youth Leadership Retreat.