Youth Ambassadors
Over 200 teens participated in our Youth Ambassadors’ INSPIRE series in 2024. By exploring their unique identities, building confidence, and setting values-driven goals, these young leaders inspired us all to be the change!
As we look back on 2024, we are filled with gratitude and pride for the incredible milestones achieved this year. Together, we expanded our reach, empowered youth, and strengthened communities through innovative programs, new partnerships, and life-changing initiatives. From launching transformative curricula to celebrating the achievements of our young leaders, this year has been a testament to the power of collaboration and community. Here’s a look at the remarkable strides we’ve made—thanks to your unwavering support!
Our programs grew…
From Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. we welcomed 5 new partners, launched 13 new cohorts of students, and engaged 900 young people in IAPW programs & special initiatives in 2024.
Dreamcatchers
Our Dreamcatchers kids learned about big social issues and put their empathy into action through creative service projects. Some of their favorite projects included kindness rocks, mindfulness jars, and positivity posters that spread kindness throughout their communities.
I learned that the small things make a difference and little things like saying good morning help people’s day and make them feel better.
– Ky’lee, Dreamcatchers participant
As a youth ambassador, I gained more understanding in my values, more respect for myself, and how to set reasonable and achievable goals!
We innovated…
This year, we launched GoodTech, fusing creativity, technology, and social impact. Through GoodTech, students created digital art, wrote and produced songs, and hosted their own podcasts to raise awareness of critical community issues such as gun violence, homelessness, and women’s rights.
What I enjoy most about facilitating GoodTech is fostering a safe and comfortable space for the students. I love hearing their perspectives on what they see in their communities and what they want to change about their worlds.
Our youth-led initiatives expanded…
SOUPer Bowl
Tackling Hunger, One Kid at a Time
Lucia & Luna trained 11 youth leaders to bring the SOUPer Bowl to their communities.
Those young leaders then taught 500 additional kids about childhood hunger and launched food drives in their classrooms and at their schools.
The result? These amazing kids collected over 1,000 lbs of food from LA to DC—serving 800 people in need!
BabyLove
Young Leaders Supporting Women & Children
Now in its 3rd year, BabyLove–founded by IAPW Youth Ambassador, Noah Sneed–continues to serve women and children experiencing homelessness in DC and LA, raising over $6,000 to support those most vulnerable.
By providing much-needed resources to these beneficiaries, our young leaders ensured that the next generation has a chance to succeed and thrive!
Lucia & Luna’s Backpack Drive
What started as one 5 year old’s wish to help a few kids in Los Angeles, has turned into an award-winning youth-led initiative. Now in it’s 8th year, our young people reached hundreds of kids again, providing much-needed backpacks, school supplies, and a few surprise gifts, too!
Together, these youth-led initiatives served over 1,200 individuals!
We were honored…
Our signature initiatives, and the youth leading them, won multiple awards!
SOUPer Bowl earned a Silver Anthem Award for Best Grassroots Campaign and recognition as winners of the Explore.Act.Tell. Program Competition.
Noah earned the Anthem Young Leader of the Year Silver Award and won a $17,500 scholarship for his work on BabyLove.
BabyLove also won a Bronze Anthem Award for Community Engagement, showcasing the power of compassion in action.
Our Founder was recognized, too.
Not to be outdone, IAPW Founder, Manuela Testolini, was also honored for her work, receiving the SUCCESS Changemaker Award. Even more fulfilling, however, was being selected as a judge for the Disney Dreamers Academy, where Manuela had the privilege of helping guide the next generation of visionary leaders.
Being a judge for Disney Dreamers reminded me about the importance of mentorship, investing in young people, and trusting that the ripple effect we create now will know no bounds. I am evidence of that and am honored to pay it forward.
Our global students thrived…
Rural Education & Community Harmony (REACH)
While we are gearing up to our 35th school-building project in the summer of 2025, our existing schools continued to provide education for 7000+ students in 8 countries. Our scholarship students in Guatemala also thrived in middle school!
Watch how your support changes lives 📹 → See scholarship students thriving in Guatemala
Dive into their journey 📖 → Read heartfelt letters from Francisco, Joselyn, & Gaspar
And our young people kept shining…
Whether they were graduating from our programs, starting middle or high school, or embarking on new journeys on college campuses, our youth showed us that perseverance, dedication, and focus can yield big results. One of those amazing kids even landed a spot performing at the Kennedy Center 🎶
2024 was a stellar year! We are so grateful to you — our community, our donors, and our partners for making this all possible. Thank you for helping us unlock the infinite potential of young people to change the world.
Your generosity fuels this life-changing work!
Support our work and bring critical programming to kids in need.