Fan, 18, USA

Basic need(s):

Education

Project:

121Reach

In 2007, Fan volunteered as a YMCA camp counselor in an inner-city neighborhood in her home state of Georgia. The lacking, unsafe facilities she held witness to, paired with the carelessness and crudity of some of the children's parents, deeply upset Fan. The camp's wide-eyed and gracious children deserved more, and Fan knew education was their way out. The tragedy was, a proper education simply was not being provided for them. In honor of the children she met during her time as a counselor, Fan founded 121Reach. 121Reach is an organization that specializes in one-to-one mentoring between high school and middle school students, focusing not only on academics, but building positive relationships between the tutors and tutees. These relationships are facilitated through weekly meetings for study and monthly activities for bonding. According to scores of parent and teacher testimonials, the effects of the gratis program are present in both the grades and attitudes of the tutees. 121Reach, however, goes beyond tutoring. Fan has successfully created a youth movement dedicated to helping others. Of the over 300 children the program has reached, many return to the program, not as a troubled tutee, but as a confident and capable tutor. Currently reaching four schools in her district, with several more showing interest in 121Reach and teachers requesting she expand the program to grades 10-12, Fan has big plans for her organization, hoping to one day take it national.