Karma for Cara Foundation awards microgrants to youths 18 years of age and younger who spearhead exceptional service projects in their communities. Meet 17 year old Trinity from Memphis TN. Inspired by her own journey to overcome anxiety and depression, Note 2 Self was an art expression project for Trinity’s Girl Scout Gold Award. She states, “Art is what gets me through. It allows me to speak when I do not have the words. It is my release when the world becomes too big. I want to share my experience with others and teach them about the power of expression and that mental illness is not taboo.” Trinity hosted an art expression workshop for teens that included a showcase of participants’ art work for family & friends that doubled as an awareness event about mental illness. 

Karma for Cara Foundation awards microgrants to youths 18 years of age and younger who spearhead exceptional service projects in their communities. Kade (14) from Maryland used her award to create and distribute Kids Care Boxes to children at a local family shelter where she works after noticing that incoming children were often scared when they arrived. Kade worked with the shelter to survey incoming families to figure out what specific items were needed most and what types of items would help make them feel more welcomed. Kade decided to gather items, box/bag them, and even created little booklets with general information about the shelter and other important information.

Karma for Cara Foundation awards microgrants to youths 18 years of age and younger who spearhead exceptional service projects in their communities. Sabrina (18) from Texas used her award to launch Artful Start a nonprofit art program for children with disabilities. The organization runs a variety of programs throughout the year including family art days and art booths at community events. AS creates setups that are accessible for all types of children.

Karma for Cara Foundation awards microgrants to youths 18 years of age and younger who spearhead exceptional service projects in their communities. Microgrant recipient Ally (10) from Michigan used her award to launch her project Snuggles and Love. Ally spent time in the hospital as a baby and was inspired when her parents told her stories about people pushing carts of toys, books, blankets, and other gifts around the hospital for ill children who had extended stays in the hospital. Ally wanted to add some cheer to other children during their hospital stay as well. She was able to make 32 care packages with the help of her group of volunteers and deliver them to a nearby hospital.

Karma for Cara Foundation awards microgrants to youths 18 years of age and younger who spearhead exceptional service projects in their communities. Meet 16 year old Morgan from the Baltimore, MD area. Her project provided food for Baltimore’s homeless. She used her award to start the Medical Explorers Club at her high school where students learn about how important it is to take care of your physical health and mental wellbeing. Morgan and the club assembled over 100 brown bag lunches and dinners for the Weinberg Housing and Resource Center.

Karma for Cara Foundation awards microgrants to youths 18 years of age and younger who spearhead exceptional service projects in their communities. A group of student from the New Tech Girls Chat Group at Everett High School in Michigan used their award to purchase knitting supplies and host a knitting workshop where participants learned the basics of knitting including needle types, terms, and styles. Workshop participants also learned how knitting can be an activity for relaxation and relieving stress. Knitting students will return for future workshops where they will knit two items, one for donation and one to keep.

Karma for Cara Foundation awards microgrants to youths 18 years of age and younger who spearhead exceptional service projects in their communities. Meet microgrant recipient Lilian, 15, from Miami. Lilian used her award to help her school begin renovating their rooftop greenhouse which had been abandoned for 3 years. Lilian would like to start growing fruits and vegetables to share within their school’s community and the community at large.

Karma for Cara Foundation awards microgrants to youths 18 years of age and younger who spearhead exceptional service projects in their communities. Meet 13-year-old Naudia of Florida. Naudia used her award to create My Little Garden Project with a vision to teach children at risk of going hungry how to plant, maintain, and grow healthy foods that they can harvest and consume. Since beginning her project, Naudia has become more aware of environmental preservation and sustainability. In the future she hopes to build gardens with each one including a section devoted to planting and growing native plants that are acclimated to that region. She planted her first garden at  C.A. Weis Elementary School and recruited students from local middle and high schools to assist with construction, preparation, planting, and educational as well as informative services.

Karma for Cara Foundation awards microgrants to youths 18 years of age and younger who spearhead exceptional service projects in their communities. A 15-year-old from Illinois, Kate used her award to start a series of workshops focused on encouraging girls to explore STEM fields, specifically called Glenview’s Got STEAM! Kate’s peers were mentors for the younger girls during workshops. She would like to create a safe space for these girls to learn more about science and technology.