These Gen Z Changemakers Are Creating Kinder Communities Across The U.S.

A national youth leadership nonprofit has named 76 young changemakers from across the country as its 2026 “Call For Kindness” fellows, spotlighting Gen Z-led projects tackling food insecurity, civic engagement, STEM access, mental health, environmental issues and misinformation.

The fellowship, announced by Riley’s Way Foundation, includes 51 first-time fellows and 25 returning senior fellows ages 13 to 23. Each participant receives up to $5,000 and yearlong leadership training to expand their community-focused initiatives.

“Kindness isn’t a soft skill — it’s a leadership strategy,” co-founder Ian Sandler said in a news release. “These young leaders aren’t waiting for the future; they’re building it right now.”

Riley’s Way was founded in 2014 by Ian and Mackenzie Sandler to honor the memory of 9-year-old Riley Hannah Sandler, who loved helping others. The foundation aims to empower young leaders through funding, training, and a national community rooted in compassion and action.

Through its Call For Kindness Fellowship, recipients receive up to $5,000 and leadership development support to grow youth-led initiatives driving real-world impact.

“Kindness is a leadership advantage,” Christine O’Connell, the foundation’s executive director, said in the release. “These young people are proving that empathy and impact go hand in hand.”

This year’s Call For Kindness put a focus projects surrounding food insecurity. Fellows also addressed other pressing societal issues, including civic engagement, technology and digital literacy, youth mental health, access to education and literacy, and the gender gap in STEM.

Category winners are:

Food Insecurity Award Winners

Cindy Qiao, 17, of Newton, Massachusetts, founded The Full Fork Initiative, which currently collects unused cafeteria food from seven schools and redistributes it to students in need across 17 schools.

Vikram Dasa, 15, of Columbus, Ohio, brings fresh, nourishing food to families through vetted community partners, reducing waste and closing food gaps when it matters most through his Harvest Forward project.

Iniya Nandakumard, 17, and Anvitha Desaraju, 17, of Coppell, Texas, created a youth-led organization, The Mann Nalam Foundation, that supports organic farmers in South India by establishing community gardens, delivering sustainable farming infrastructure, and expanding the adoption of organic agricultural practices.

Amber Bratlie of Houston, Alaska, created Growing North, a community-led farm in rural Alaska where youth, families, and elders come together to grow food and spend time with each other, ensuring people have access to food while creating a space where the community feels genuinely connected and involved.

DeJuan Strickland, 17, of St. Louis, Missouri, created TeamTechBoy Foundation to address childhood food insecurity in local schools, dedicated to ensuring every student has access to a meal during the school day through community partnerships and youth-led action.

Dhaani Jeevanani, 15, of San Jose, California, created Shared Table, which creates bento-style meal kits for families experiencing food insecurity in East San Jose, with each kit supporting one to two complete meals with fresh vegetables, sustainably sourced grains, and compostable containers.

Almanzo Abraham, 14, of New Haven, Connecticut, created Birthday Bakes for Neighbors in Need, which supplies food pantries with cake kits — items not approved for purchase with government funds — allowing families to celebrate their children's birthdays with dignity.

Other category winners are:

The Yuriko Kikuchi Arigato Award

This award supporting projects in dance or the performing arts in honor of Yuriko Kikuchi, a pioneering dancer and choreographer, went to Brianna Paulino, 20; Ruby Moran, 20; and Poorna Prakash, 19, of Guttenberg, New Jersey, founders of The Cleverly Creatives, which is dedicated to expanding resources and opportunities for students to pursue their artistic and creative pursuits, amplifying the voices of young creatives worldwide by providing a platform to showcase their literature, art, and creative works.

A Kinder Word For Animals

A Kinder World for Animals Award supports three projects embodying Riley's Way’s values while addressing the well-being of animals and the critical role animals play in human lives. The winners are:

Shriya Uttamchandani, 17, of San Diego, created her Pawsitive Impact group to conduct dog food donation drives for low-income families, homebound seniors, and shelters, which helps people keep and care for their pets instead of surrendering them due to financial hardship.

Katelyn Liu, 17 and Brandon Liu, 15, of Los Angeles, created WILD (Wildlife Impact through Learning and Doing), a youth-led project to reconnect wildlife and communities across Los Angeles through habitat restoration, education, and citizen science, empowering youth to protect ecosystems and build a more resilient future.

Zoe Zhang, 16, and Naisha Marepalli, 17, of Frisco, Texas, created Paint the Wild, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting artwork focused on environmental science issues, engaging the community through creative expression to spread awareness about the planet.

Civil Discourse & Connection Award

The Civil Discourse & Connection Innovation Award supports projects that build bridges across divides, nurture critical thought, and create spaces where individuals feel heard and respected, regardless of opinion.

This year’s winners are Ariella Fisher, 16 and Humyra Iqra, 16, of Astoria, New York, who created Metro Mosaic Magazine, a forum for youth artists in New York City to investigate how art from various voices can foster connection, understanding, and resilience, envisioning a future where creative expression bridges divisions of race, faith, sexuality, and gender.

Equity In Law Awards

The Equity in Law Award supports bold and creative approaches that foster equitable access to justice, amplify youth voices, and build a more inclusive legal profession.

This year’s winners also include:

Aiden Aristhomene, 17, and Debasmita Mishra, 17, of Miami, created Legal Ease, which bridges the gap between juvenile rehabilitation and prevention by distributing juvenile-tailored legal literacy brochures across South Florida.

Cason Noll, 17, of Henderson, Nevada, created StubSmart, a wage literacy program that equips teen employees with resources for reading paystubs, reporting wage theft, safe tax reporting, and how to take action when being shortchanged or exploited before it’s too late.

Women In STEM Awards

The Women in STEM Award funds five projects to expand access, opportunity, and support for girls and young women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. They are:

Sophia Yang, 16, of Douglasville, Georgia, who created The STEM Spectrum, which is dedicated to expanding access to creative, hands-on STEM opportunities for youth and creating more inclusive learning environments;

Vinisha Singireddy, 16, of San Ramon, California, who created STEMPOWER, which seeks to improve access to underserved communities through education, mentorship and hands-on programming;

Srishti Boral, 17, of Sammamish, Washington, who created Girls in Research, a student-led global community that makes scientific research more accessible to girls and early-career researchers by sharing opportunities, hosting events, and building peer support networks that help students see a clear path into research careers;

Gabriella Henriquez, 17, of Falls Church, Virginia, who created Hispanic Youth Initiative, a student-led organization providing accessible, engaging STEM experiences to students of color, first-generation students, and those from limited-income families who may not have exposure to STEM outside the classroom;

Amelia Hassett, 17, of Louisville, Kentucky, who created BioHer, a project that engages middle and high school girls in biomedical engineering through learning, prototyping, and advocacy around women's health issues like endometriosis, PCOS, and menstrual equity, culminating in a Frankfort Lobby Day advocating for Kentucky policy changes.

Projects Address Pressing Needs

Other fellows and their projects include:

Yana Bijoor, 17, of New York, created TruthSpot.ai, a program teaching students how to identify AI-generated misinformation through interactive modules.

Nikhil Fernandes, 17, of Suwanee, Georgia, created Science Hub for Inclusive Nurturing and Exploration, a project that advances STEM opportunities for neurodivergent and underserved students through hands-on, inclusive STEM education.

Aarav Desai, 15, of Chino Hills, California, created Conservly, which distributes heat kits to vulnerable individuals without access to necessities like shade, and creates urban shade through tree planting and shade installation, with dedicated environmental outreach to youth and seniors.

Amara Barger, 17, and Luke Barger, 13, of Atlanta, created Allerbusters, which promotes allergy awareness and prevention through awareness bracelets, educational resources, and community partnerships, helping create safer, more inclusive environments for kids with allergies.

Alejandra Perry, 17, of Miami, created Literary Speaking, a student-led education organization dedicated to improving academic and communication skills among underserved learners, especially ELL students, through tutoring, curriculum design, college mentorship, community-focused events, and publishing projects.

Chris Qian, 17, of Midlothian, Virginia, created ReTech for Kids, a nonprofit that collects, refurbishes, and distributes second-hand technology to under-resourced students across the globe.

Zhenrui Gu, 16, of Chandler, Arizona, created ArtMind, which provides art classes for senior citizens with memory and movement disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's, helping seniors strengthen cognitive function, improve emotional well-being, and build confidence through creative expression.

Danny Ye, 19, of Flushing, New York, created the Unity Scholars Network nonprofit that empowers under-resourced students to navigate, thrive in, and excel in higher education through life-changing mentorship.

Nimeesha Komatireddy, 17; Sarach Chan, 17; Angeline Doan, 17; Kirana Lai, 16; and Serena Chan, 17, of Irvine, California, created Second Pulse, which improves healthcare access and education for first-generation immigrant communities through multilingual resources, health literacy workshops, and culturally sensitive support.

Bee Puthoff, 22, of Cleveland, Ohio, established a third creative space for the Cleveland street dance community, providing dancers with a consistent space to freely grow and express themselves throughout their dance journey.

Phi Chanda, 19, of St.Louis, Missouri, created Amplify the Arch: A Conference By & For Queer Youth, the metro’s first LGBTQ+ youth conference, connecting students, parents, and educators across Missouri and Illinois for a day of workshops, performances, and art completely free of charge.

Kadijah Mansaray, 19, of Washington, D.C., created MIRR Mentors, a youth-led mentorship initiative connecting college students with underserved middle and high school students to provide guidance, academic support, and career exposure through weekly programming.

Brandon Delcid Rios, 18, of Ringoes, New Jersey, created the See The World Foundation, a youth-led nonprofit expanding access to vision care for children who cannot afford treatment, working to ensure no child is denied the ability to see the world clearly.

Natalia Gustin, 15, of Irvine, California, created The Senior Poets Society, which hosts weekly poetry workshops at nursing homes, fostering social connection, emotional processing, and cognitive benefits for seniors.

Jocelyn Yuan, 17, of Rockville, Maryland, created SheCounts, which expands access to financial literacy for young women by equipping students with practical skills in budgeting, saving, and navigating financial systems through workshops, mentorship, and educational resources.

Grace Chi, 16 and Sidharth Harishanker, 16, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, created Eco MoCo, a student-led nonprofit based in Montgomery County, Maryland, promoting sustainability through three core pillars: education, advocacy, and stewardship.

Luke Zhang, 17, and Tim Carter, 17, of Detroit, created the Detroit Boys' Alliance boys and young men of color to thrive in school and in life through kindness, empathy, and leadership, bridging the gap between academic potential and actual resources available to them in Detroit.

Elijah Daniel, 16, of Eagan, Minnesota, created America 4 All, a community service project created to increase literacy and sustainability through the donation of books and environmentally responsible actions such as recycling to build a more sustainable community.

Emiliano Juárez, 19, and Fatima Orozco-Reyes, 20, of White Plains, New York, created Letters From Humanity, which embraces, empowers, and uplifts immigrant neighbors by celebrating their humanity and dignity through empathetic storytelling, letter writing, and intercultural community events.

Marilyn Yang, 16, of Las Vegas, created The Week to Hear Project, a series of video documentaries bringing visibility to teenagers suffering with drug addiction, consulting medical professionals and challenging mental health institution stigmas one story at a time.

Olivia Zhang, 16, of Raleigh, North Carolina, created Civic Ready Bags, which addresses gaps in civic education by providing elementary students with backpacks filled with tailored, engaging resources that foster active civic participation and a better understanding of their country's civic principles.

Kiana Lee, 17, of San Diego, created a project called Sign Journey: Bridging Access Through ASL & Science to promote kindness, inclusion, and accessibility, empowering others to communicate across differences and build more understanding communities.

Daniel Castillo, 16, of Chicago, created TR4HR (Trans Rights 4 Human Rights), which addresses transgender rights through social and legislative advocacy, centering the voices of trans youth and their allies while fostering safe spaces for Chicago's queer youth.

Jenie Ayala, 15, of Los Angeles, created Sun Safety for All: Expanding Free Sunscreen Access in Los Angeles County Parks, a project through which ree sunscreen dispensers are installed in Los Angeles County parks to reduce UV-related health risks and promote long-term skin health in underserved communities.

Anika Mehta, 15, and Avaani Lallian, 14, of Paradise Valley, Arizona, created Confident Clicks, a student-led nonprofit helping seniors overcome technology and vision-related challenges through personalized iPad training and refurbished device donations, fostering independence and confidence in an increasingly digital world.

Nashan Reyes, 17, who lives in Puerto Rico, created Voices Without Borders, a youth-led project amplifying underrepresented voices and sharing stories that connect communities across cultures and countries through content creation and social media, promoting empathy and social change beyond borders.

London Donahoe, 17, and Kethan Neginhal, 18, of Huntington, West Virginia, created Accountability Appalachia, which strives to uplift civic engagement across West Virginia and neighboring communities through outreach, research, innovation, and connection.

Alan Cervantes, 22, of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, created New Americans Work, which educates young people and immigrants across Chicagoland on the power and benefits of union organizing, empowering these underrepresented demographics to reclaim control over their economic futures through workplace solidarity.

Jihyun Ko, 16, and Seohyun Ko, 17, of Ypsilanti, Michigan, created Green Technology Institute, which helps youth and local communities understand and respond to AI's impacts on equity, jobs, and the environment through student-led research and education, creating findings and recommendations for schools, libraries, and workplaces.

Katherine Quizhpi-Gomez, 16, of Baltimore, created Bmore Civic, a teen-led civic action collective where teens learn how local government works, build advocacy skills, and become more engaged in their communities through meaningful service.

Riyan Golden, 16, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, created Second Chance Equity Initiative, which works to restore dignity and opportunity for incarcerated individuals, with a focus on Black women and girls disproportionately impacted by the criminal legal system. Through policy advocacy, educational access, and community-driven reform, SCEI challenges systemic inequities and promotes pathways to rehabilitation and second chances.

Azeemah Sadiq, 18, of Houston, created Equity in Action, an initiative dedicated to empowering marginalized young people through policy education, systemic advocacy, and community-building, equipping underrepresented youth with the knowledge, networks, and platforms necessary to shape the policies that directly affect their lives.

Senior Fellows Continue Work

Senior fellows are returning Call For Kindness fellows receiving the award for a second time, continuing to deepen their social impact work with the support of Riley's Way. They are:

Ananya Akkaraju, 16, of Dublin, California, created EmpowerEd Connect, the distribution pillar of EmpowerHer Education, a youth-led nonprofit dedicated to expanding girls' access to education globally. Through partnerships with NGOs and humanitarian aid organizations, the initiative distributes books and educational supplies to girls in rural villages internationally, while mobilizing student chapters to host donation drives and share the stories of the girls they serve.

Samuel Avendano, 18, and Julieta Rangel, 18, of Los Angeles created CLIP Citizenship (Creating Legal Immigration Pathways), a student-led organization based in the San Fernando Valley dedicated to helping immigrants navigate pathways to U.S. citizenship through individualized support, legal resources, and community partnerships. Since 2022, CLIP has worked with over 25 community members to understand their unique situations and connect them with pro-bono legal services, and in 2024 celebrated their first client becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen.

Saher Aulakh, 17, of Phoenix, created ArtSphere, a student-run organization addressing cultural bereavement caused by ethnic discrimination in education through cultural art workshops and supply drives that promote ethnic awareness, pride, and creativity among K–12 students. With workshops held across Arizona and Massachusetts, ArtSphere uses art as a bridge for young people to connect with and express their cultural identities.

Aarya Bhatt, 16, of Simpsonville, South Carolina, created Moo-vement for a Change. a student-led initiative that advocates for animal rights in the meat industry and promotes sustainable, ethical practices through education, activism, and youth empowerment. The initiative organizes fundraising efforts

supporting farm animal sanctuaries in the United States and India, while creating accessible content that highlights the environmental and ethical impacts of factory farming for student audiences.

Chloey Cho, 19; Hailey Shen, 18; and Willow Yoo, 18, of Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, created Solis and Luna Arts, which uses the healing power of the creative arts to benefit those with physical and mental health issues, bringing live music therapy concerts, nail art programs, and fashion workshops to hospitals, nursing homes, and mental health centers. With 60-plus volunteers, the organization has hosted over 135 events and impacted more than 10,000 patients and veterans, with 93.6 percent of volunteers reporting increased confidence working in healthcare settings.

Mumtaz Cooper, 16, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, created Pencils Not Prisons, an education-justice initiative focused on dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline by increasing access to educational resources, literacy support, and advocacy for system-impacted and at-risk youth. Since joining the Call For Kindness Fellowship, the project has distributed educational supplies and literacy materials to underserved students, launched a scholarship program, hosted a conference on education equity, and published a student-centered book on civic engagement in three languages.

Rachel Choi, 16, and Shriya Gandhi, 16, of Cypress, California, created the HERA Foundation, which empowers students — especially girls and those from underserved backgrounds — by translating dense federal Title IX law into accessible rights guides and delivering workshops in low-income communities, domestic violence shelters, and libraries. Since its founding, HERA has distributed 300-plus Title IX rights guides, reached 700-plus families through workshops, placed 600+ books on girl empowerment into the hands of shelter residents, and has been invited to attend CSW-70 as a youth organization on the international stage.

Grace Ding, 17, and Christianna Thomas, of Katy, Texas, created Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, a movement of students demonstrating youth visibility in policymaking, bringing together high school and college fellows from across Texas to develop advocacy projects addressing educational equity, mental health, immigration policy, and more. Since launching in August 2025, the fellowship has admitted 33 students from 33 different cities across Texas, supported student-led capstone projects, and hosted a convening where fellows connected with legislators, lawyers, and community organizers.

Maimouna Doumbia, 16, of Bronx, New York, created RISE, a week-long summer program tailored to empower young Black women ages 13–17 through restorative justice training, self-care workshops, and career panels featuring Black female professionals from fields including law, healthcare, finance, and entrepreneurship. Partnering with the Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility and the NYC Office of School Youth Development, RISE secured a free program location and received over 25 applications for its inaugural cohort.

Cara Elzie, 23, of Yakima, Washington, created Bilingual Bibliotheca, which creates Little Free Libraries stocked with bilingual and Spanish-language books in Yakima and nearby cities to reduce economic barriers to education and enrichment for Hispanic and low-income communities. The project has installed three library locations to date, distributed books to thousands of English Language Learners through partnerships with local schools and refugee resettlement agencies, and is expanding into Portland, Oregon, through partnerships with two nonprofits.

Lily Farris, 17, and Zyah Douen, 17, of Bridgeville, Delaware, created The Lily Project, a youth service initiative that increases opportunities for young people to engage in meaningful community service through replicable, accessible projects. To date, The Lily Project has engaged more than 25,000 young people, kept over 500,000 items out of landfills through upcycling initiatives, distributed more than 30,000 coloring cards to seniors and veterans, and shared over 5,000 Valentine's cards with veterans over the past decade.

Sarah Gaudron, 22, of Michigan City, Indiana, who created She's Got Goals, a youth empowerment program that introduces young female athletes and students to careers in healthcare through hands-on demonstrations, mentorship from pre-med students and physicians, and wellness education. Since launching, the program has established a chapter at Kenwood Academy in Chicago with a cohort of 20 girls, built a physician volunteer network, and expanded partnerships with organizations including Vituity and the I Am Abel Foundation.

Ethan Hill, 14, of Birmingham, Alabama, created Ethan's Heart Bags4Blessings, which educates youth on homelessness through hands-on community service, mentorship, and interactive learning, while actively making a difference for those in need. Through a youth leadership board and the support of the Call For Kindness Fellowship, the initiative has expanded its service projects to include sleeping bags, duffel bags, and comfort items for underserved communities.

Matthew Kassi,, 22, of Bayonne, New Jersey, created Pages4ProgressNJ promotes critical thinking and empathy within the prison system by providing incarcerated individuals with access to high-quality reading materials, personalized instruction, and a supportive community. Over three years, the program has served approximately 50 participants, celebrated multiple literacy program graduations, and hosted a speaker series bringing academics and nonprofit founders into dialogue with the incarcerated population.

Kristie Moore, 23, of Berkeley, California, created Female Leaders of the Americas (FLOTA), a youth-led organization that empowers young women from North, South, and Central America and the Caribbean through a flagship summer exchange program, mentorship opportunities, and advocacy campaigns. Now in its fifth year, FLOTA has served nearly 700 girls from 16 countries, with 89% of participants reporting they could not have afforded similar programming without FLOTA's free model.

Kendyll Morandi and Anya Kleinman of Gaithersburg, Maryland, created Dancers Beyond Labels, a youth nonprofit addressing the eating disorder crisis in the dance industry by promoting nutrition education, body-neutral training practices, and mental health support for dancers, instructors, and studio owners. The organization has amassed a team of volunteers across 18 states and 16 countries, raised over $45,000, and partnered with DanceOne to bring their "Fueling Dancers" nutrition curriculum to conventions, reaching nearly 10,000 dancers annually.

Andreanela Ordoñez Carbajal, of Santa Ana, California, created Creatividad en Comunidad, a free six-month arts and advocacy program that amplifies the voices of Black and Indigenous youth of color from mixed-status families in Santa Ana through artivism projects, workshops in radical care and healing, and an end-of-program showcase. The initiative has engaged over 30 youth through programs including civic education, book discussions, and collaborative art projects addressing LGBTQIA+ issues, mental health, and self-expression.

Devangana Rana, 22, of Washington, D.C., created Kinare, an initiative focused on economic inclusion and women's empowerment in Northern India, supporting migrant street vendors and rural entrepreneurs through early-stage capital, legal support, and business mentorship. Building on years of community-building work connecting international families, Kinare brings structured resources and support to women entrepreneurs who lack access to formal economic systems.

Sarah Shelke, 17, of Cupertino, California, created Mind4Youth, a nonprofit expanding access to mental health resources for youth from all backgrounds through one of the largest youth-led mental health initiatives, including its HeartCare kit program that provides gender-affirming care products and resources to queer youth. Since joining the Call For Kindness Fellowship, Mind4Youth has distributed 1,400 additional kits across California, Kentucky, Arizona, and Nevada, bringing the total HeartCare program impact to 5,100 kits distributed across North America through a network of 151 chapters.

Solya Spiegel, 21, of Boone, North Carolina, created SoulTalks, a youth-centered mental health podcast designed to create open and supportive conversations around emotional well-being, anxiety, and the everyday challenges young people face. Launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, the podcast grew to establish a student podcast club and partnerships with mental health advocates, and is now being relaunched with an expanded focus on collaboration, diverse student voices, and community engagement at the college level.

Sri Nihal Tammana, 17, of Monroe Township, New Jersey, created Recycle My Battery, a youth-led initiative that helps people safely recycle used batteries while raising awareness about their environmental impact through school programs, community partnerships, and nationwide bin placements. Since founding the initiative at age 10, Sri Nihal has mobilized over 1,100 youth volunteers worldwide, recycled more than 725,000 batteries, educated over 75 million people, and recently launched the first international Battery Challenge in the United Kingdom.

Mick Tobin, 23, of Washington, D.C., created The Young People's Alliance Youth Civic Engagement and Civil Discourse Program, which organizes bipartisan civic engagement events at high school and college campuses to help young people of all political backgrounds engage with each other using empathy and kindness. Since launching in 2021, YPA has scaled to 69 campuses across 13 states, recruited 2,400 members, hosted 50 legislator town halls, and facilitated civil discourse conversations with 50,000 students — with co-founders Mick Tobin and Sam recently named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 class of 2026.

Anthony Wang, 17, of Mercer Island, Washington, created Bridge to Pride, a national resource website that connects LGBTQ+ youth to advocacy, community, and healthcare organizations in their region. Since joining the Call For Kindness Fellowship, Bridge to Pride has served over 3,600 users, partnered with Dear Queer Youth on a Mental Health Awareness Month campaign, and collaborated with the HERA Foundation to link LGBTQ+ resources with Title IX support.

Sophia Wong, 16, and Jaylan Roy, 16, of Los Angeles, created Dear Queer Youth, an international project dedicated to uplifting queer youth through art and storytelling, regular community events, and civic engagement initiatives. The project has engaged 120 people through online programming, received 50 art and writing submissions from 6 countries, published works through a dedicated website, and hosted a city-wide queer prom in Los Angeles with 128 participants from 14 schools.

Faith Ajanaku, 21, and Maham Kazmi, 23, of Dallas, created Passport & Purpose, a travel access and cultural education initiative that helps young people approach global travel with intention, respect, and awareness through workshops, educational storytelling, and travel micro-grants for first-time travelers. Built on three pillars of access, education, and perspective, the project guides participants through the practical and ethical dimensions of international travel while providing financial support for educational and cultural exchange opportunities.