Karma for Cara Foundation microgrant recipients have competed in an application process alongside other young people who have spearheaded exceptional service projects that benefit their communities. In order to qualify for a K4C award, an applicant must be 18 years of age or younger, and the project must take place in the US.
Microgrant recipient Sara Pearl (16) from FL and her sister saw a need when they were volunteering at Mary Ann’s Foster Closet: tutors for children in foster families. They began working with 2 children which grew into Mary Ann’s Tutoring with over 100 tutors who offer free educational support to over 150 foster children!
With her award, Sara Pearl was able to provide the children with educational resources beyond the free, online tools that are available to the tutors as well as pajamas for the children which are of greatest need to families.
| What inspired you to start this project? | Mary Ann’s Closet is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports foster parents, by providing them with necessities like clothing and toiletries. In 2018, my sister and I began volunteering in Mary Ann’s Closet sorting and organizing donations. We realized that we were giving away toys and clothing, but no books, pens or pencils that would support the children in their new schools. A foster mother with whom we become close told us that many foster children were inadequately educated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The children fell months behind in their studies. We decided to start a tutoring program called Mary Ann’s Tutoring. Initially, we started to tutor two children who we had come to interact with through Mary Ann’s Closet. We recognized immediately that there was more work to do. We created a curriculum and a database of tutors and students. I established the Teen Ambassador Program at different schools to expand our ability to recruit more tutors. This endeavor was highly successful as Mary Ann’s Tutoring has retained over 100 tutors, providing approximately 150 foster children with free educational support. |
| While working on your project, what surprised you? | I was surprised by how far behind so many of the foster children were in school. I understood that they would have hardship, but I was surprised by how much love and attention many of the foster children need. |
What do you feel you learned from this experience? | I learned about management, organization, and also about the power I have to do good in this world! |
| How did Karma for Cara impact your project? | The money I received from Karma for Cara allowed me to purchase books for the tutors and pajamas for the foster children. |
| How will your project continue to impact others? | Mary Ann’s Tutoring continues this year. It will continue to provide tutoring to foster children! |
