Meet microgrant recipient Lucas (17) from ID. He runs what he calls IMAGINE BELIEVE ACHIEVE assemblies with middle and high school students on the topics of bullying, self-esteem & suicide. Luc founded his own nonprofit I Love This Life Foundation and has engaged 26,000 students in the assemblies since 2019. With his award, Lucas was able to spread his message to students in Montana.

1. What inspired you to start this project? My IMAGINE BELIEVE ACHIEVE school assemblies were started in support of my 52 week interactive journal ‘Create Your Great.’ I have now delivered my school assembly to over 29,000 students across the country. 

2. While working on your project, what surprised you? I have been pleasantly surprised by the amount of students who continue to reach out even after my assemblies. 

3. What do you feel you learned from this experience? I have learned that peer to peer mentoring and conversation is one of the greatest impacts we can have on today’s youth. 

4. How did Karma for Cara impact your project? Karma for Cara allowed me to grow into a new market and reach an audience that needed to hear my message. It was an honor to be a part of the schools’ ‘Character Counts Week’. 

5. How will your project continue to impact others? I continue to expand my reach thanks to grants like this one. I am now able to focus on rural and smaller communities as well. 

6. How many hours did you spend on your project? 12

7. How many youth volunteers or students were involved in your project? 700

8. How many total hours did other youth volunteers or students spend on your project? 3