Youth Projects
JAB Member Featured – Meet 10 Westport, Weston and Wilton Teens to Watch 2025
Bruce Matos is one of those students whose accomplishments would fit more comfortably into a book, not a page. The rising senior was awarded AP Scholar With Honors his junior year, when his course load included four APs. He is an Eagle Scout, a black belt in Kung Fu, founder/president of the HOSA Health Professionals
The Heart of the 305 (and 203) in Every Meal!
by Bruce M. Years of scouting taught me that service has always been about far more than the act of giving; it’s about connection, growth, and showing up for people the way they show up for you. My experience with Joshua’s Heart Foundation (JHF) over the past few years has been a powerful illustration of
From Doubt to Discovery: How an Outdoor Adventure Taught Me Leadership and Teamwork
by Natoya S. At first, I saw it as only a get away from the immense stacks of homework and teachers telling me what to do. Excitement rushed through my body as I told my best friend about the three-day trip and a smile danced across my lips as her mom said “Yes! “ to
Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA)
An Unexpected Journey of Growth and Inspiration by Liz J. It started with an email. An email that detailed a leadership program, one which pertained to all things “nature-y” and “outdoorsy”, coated with Wisconsin’s leftover winter chill. It was everything I wasn’t; the definition of ‘so not my forte.’ I wasn’t really set on going
Daniela – Rising Sun at Sunset
Meet Daniela, our JAB Co-Vice Chair, Head of Operations and the founder of Rising Sun at Sunset. Rising Sun at Sunset is a project aimed at promoting social equity while reducing waste. The idea was born from her personal practice of recycling, reusing and repurposing goods at home. As such, Phase I of her project
The CT Junior Advisory Board
The CT Junior Advisory Board includes four friends who are all Eagle Scouts in their local troop. They are passionate about community service, raising awareness and contributing to surrounding underserved communities, particularly public schools. To date, the CT JAB has organized, collected and donated over 10,000 books and more than 7,000 school supplies to elementary
J.A.B. Member Aakash Visits India
Over this past spring break, I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Chemencherry, India in order to visit the physically and cognitively challenged children at the Monfort Community Development Society (MCDS). Under the guidance of Joshua’s Heart and the Junior Advisory Board, my need for social advocacy and to make a change in the
The Beauty of Our H.O.P.E. Boxes
by Aakash Suresh Earlier this year, the Junior Advisory Board (JAB) Chair, Celeste K., hosted their first in person monthly JAB meeting in October 2021 at the Pelican Community Park in the City of Sunny Isles Beach, (the space was donated by the city, we are thankful). Celeste organized and arranged this meeting in October. With
Ari’s Youth4Women Project
My name is Ariana Unda, and I am a JAB Alumni. In 2019-2020, I was the past Vice-Chair of the Junior Advisory Board for Joshua’s Heart Foundation. The first time I volunteered with JHF, we made Hope-Boxes and handed them out to the homeless. They were so incredibly grateful for what they were receiving, it
Ceci’s Project Suppli-Recycle
I first met Josh in my seventh grade drama class when we were asked to share a fun fact about ourselves. When it was his turn to share, he spoke about how he had created a foundation when he was four and a half years old. I was hooked from that momen,t as I have
Elena’s HopeFull Project
What is your project/chapter/club? The HopeFull Project’s mission is to help those in need in the community by providing them with food and toiletries. We do this by creating toiletry boxes filled with items such as shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, washcloths, socks, combs, deodorant, razors, and body wash. The boxes also include sandwiches, applesauce, canned
Amogh’s Project Little Stars
My name is Amogh and I am co- founder of the project called Little Stars in Varanasi, India. What inspired me to continue with this project was that I loved to see all of those happy faces and I think all kids and adults should give back to the community. I think it’s important to
Adrian & Justin Pedron’s Talent Show at Miami Jewish Health Systems
What is your project/chapter/club? Our project is the organization, coordination and presentation of a Talent Show for elderly residents of the Miami Jewish Health Systems located at 5200 N.E. 2nd Avenue, Miami, Florida. This journey began approximately three to four years ago. We invite youth to perform for the elderly and to bring their friendly
Anielya’s & Ryan’s Party with a Purpose
In collaboration with Downtown Hollywood’s Party with a Purpose, fellow JAB member, Anielya, and I raised $580 for Joshua’s Heart Foundation. Our project, a school supply fundraiser, was meant to assist students while they prepared for school. We are students ourselves and we know how important it is to have new clothes and supplies. We
Anthony’s Blanket Project
What is your project/chapter/club? The Blanket Project Why did you choose to do this project? What inspired you? I chose to do this project because the homeless need blankets for colder days. They can use the blankets for cover and protection against the wind and cold so they can comfortably sleep on the streets. Seeing
