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.

Karma for Cara Foundation awards microgrants to youths 18 years of age and younger who spearhead exceptional service projects in their communities. 17 year old Jackie from Florida used her award to launch Piece of Peace to educate students about improving mind, body, and spirit with healthy snacking and practicing yoga. Many underprivileged kids do not have access to snacks, cannot afford healthy snacks, or eat cheap, unhealthy snacks. Jackie’s goal was to provide nutritional education and the raw ingredients, so kids could make healthy snacks at home. In addition, she taught students yoga to help keep them calm and well balanced because they can do yoga anywhere at no cost.

Karma for Cara Foundation awards microgrants to youths 18 years of age and younger who spearhead exceptional service projects in their communities. Microgrant recipient Isabella, a 4th grade student from Florida, turned her beneficial experience from the Bookmark Buddies program offered at her school into inspiration for her own project. Isabella used her award to create a peaceful outdoor reading nook located in a quiet area near her school’s garden. The previous setup was in the school’s great hall which was often noisy due to school visitors, staff, and student traffic. The reading nook not only serves as a space for the BB program, but it also created a service-learning project for Isabella’s peers.

Karma for Cara Foundation awards microgrants to youths 18 years of age and younger who spearhead exceptional service projects in their communities. When 17 year old Sophie from St. Louis realized she, her neighbors, and their twin sons who are on the autism spectrum were walking in the same direction at the same time, she volunteered to walk the boys to school on a daily basis. From her time with the boys, Sophie learned that although they were very excited about the concept of sports, they were unable to participate. After connecting with organizations such as Autism Speaks, Sophie used her K4C award to host Sports-4-All summer sports clinics for young children on the spectrum. She rented field space and equipment and purchased healthy snacks for participants. She has plans to host future clinics throughout the school year.

Karma for Cara Foundation awards microgrants to youths 18 years of age and younger who spearhead exceptional service projects in their communities. Stephanie (17) of the Bronx, New York worked with her school’s United Nations Committee on a project called Little Free Library. The nonprofit’s mission is to promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges. Stephanie and the UN Committee believe students often feel segregated and pre-emotively judged. As a result of her project, students will be encouraged to read and expand their knowledge by using the Little Free Library.

Karma for Cara Foundation awards microgrants to youths 18 years of age and younger who spearhead exceptional service projects in their communities. 16 year old microgrant recipient Tamaya from Georgia used her award to serve seniors and disabled members of her community by planning a day of elegance for them. Tamaya and the Thomaston Housing Authority Youth Advisory Council hosted more than 60 attendees aged 55 years and older for their first ever Senior Prom.

Karma for Cara Foundation microgrants help fund exceptional service projects led by youth 18 and under working to better their communities. Meet microgrant recipient Riley, a 16 year old who founded Rainbow Pack, an organization that distributes new backpacks full of homework supplies to students throughout the Los Angeles area. This is the second microgrant Karma for Cara has awarded to Riley.