Brother's Struggle Inspires Woodson High Student To Launch Homeless Support Nonprofit

FAIRFAX, Va. — After losing his brother to homelessness, Carter G. Woodson High School junior Minn Vo turned his grief into a mission to serve others in Fairfax County.

Visiting the shelter where his brother stayed provided the 16-year-old with a firsthand look at the challenges facing vulnerable populations. Seeking to transform that experience into something meaningful, Vo founded Hands and Hope in December 2025.

"By doing these small acts and initiatives, I saw that basic hygiene supplies and words of encouragement can make a real difference in the community," Vo said.

The student-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit is dedicated to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness through service projects such as hygiene kit distributions and clothing drives.

In just four months, the organization has grown to include approximately 100 student volunteers with chapters established across several Fairfax County schools, including Oakton and Falls Church high schools, as well as Lake Braddock Secondary.

Recent efforts by the group include:

• Winter Warmth Donation Drive: Volunteers collected essential items such as blankets, beanies, gloves, and hand warmers.
• Dental Hygiene Kits: The group produced more than 70 kits containing toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss, which included handwritten "kindness cards."
• Clothing Drive: An initiative that gathered hundreds of items for local distribution.

The nonprofit has already established local partnerships, working with Second Story to distribute dental kits and donating supplies to the Katherine Hanley Shelter. Vo indicated he also hopes to partner with other organizations like The Lamb Center and FACETS.

Currently, Hands and Hope coordinates its volunteer opportunities and donation drives through its Instagram page as it works toward securing corporate grants for future funding.

Vo stated his ultimate goal is to expand the nonprofit’s footprint beyond Northern Virginia.

"What I hope to accomplish for this nonprofit is just to expand our impact, try to get more student volunteers, more chapters going around, and hopefully we can make nationwide impact someday," he said.