Karma for Cara Foundation awards microgrants to youths 18 years of age and younger who spearhead exceptional service projects in their communities.  Meet Codi from Chicago, IL. He & nine other youths aged 14-18 who are involved in the Youth Leadership Institute used their awards to learn fundamental leadership & facilitation skills. This past summer they used those skills to plan, market and execute 4 community tours and service projects within their communities. The purpose of the Youth Leadership Institute and the tours is to combat issues of isolation and negative stigma associated with the south and westside Chicago neighborhoods by encouraging interconnectivity and empathy across communities.

Karma for Cara Foundation microgrants assist in funding exceptional service projects led by youth 18 years of age and younger working to better their communities. Meet microgrant recipient Quinn (17) from Portland, OR. With the help of other volunteers, Quinn delivered almost 1,000 Operation Tooth Fairy kits to low-income families of preschoolers in the Greater Portland area. She works with local Girl Scout troops to assemble and deliver the kits and partners with WIC to get the kits to those who need them.

Karma for Cara Foundation microgrants help fund exceptional service projects led by youth 18 years of age and younger working to better their communities. Meet microgrant recipient Kaley (15) from Kaneohe, HI. She, other student government members at Kamakau Laboratory Public Charter School and adult members of the community used her award to repair the school’s parking lot which was deemed unsafe for both cars and pedestrians. Additionally, the school does not have a gym, so all students use the parking lot for physical education classes.

Karma for Cara Foundation awards microgrants to youths 18 years of age and younger who spearhead exceptional service projects in their communities.  Hannah (15) from Chattanooga, TN used her award for the renovation of the library in the Westside Community Center which is located in a public housing development. Among other improvements, Hannah and classmates from Baylor School painted, repaired shelving, and contributed additional books to the library.

Karma for Cara Foundation awards microgrants to youths 18 years of age and younger who spearhead exceptional service projects in their communities.  Shyam (12) from Ann Arbor, MI used his award to fund a service project entitled Kindle Kingdom Summer Literacy Program. In collaboration with the Community of Action Network of Washtenaw County (CAN) ByKids4Kids designed a program to improve the language and literacy outcomes of 1st through 6th grade students. Shyam and other students involved in ByKids4Kids used Kindles to read to children instead of books because Kindles expose low income kids to technology and reduce paper usage. They want to give all children a chance to be successful in life and promote a lifetime of volunteerism and community service!