What Drives Us
Mission & Vision
Our Mission
Turning passion into purpose
Small Hands Count empowers students from all backgrounds to identify community challenges, design meaningful responses, and lead initiatives that create lasting impact — supported every step of the way by mentors, resources, and a caring community.
Our Vision
A generation of confident changemakers
We envision a world where every young person — regardless of age, background, or resources — has the confidence and capability to lead initiatives that strengthen their communities and solve the challenges of our time.
Our Story
How it all began
Small Hands Count was founded in 2021 by a group of educators and youth advocates who noticed a troubling pattern: students were full of ideas but had nowhere to channel them. School clubs were too rigid, volunteering felt passive, and there was no structured space to actually build something.
We started with five students and a simple promise: "Bring us your idea, and we'll help you make it real." That first cohort launched three community projects — a food drive, a tutoring circle, and a school garden. Within a year, word spread, and students from neighboring schools were knocking on our door.
"I never thought a 14-year-old could actually change something. Small Hands Count showed me I was wrong."
— Alex T., SHC founding studentToday, Small Hands Count has supported over 120 youth-led initiatives across 40+ communities, and we're just getting started.
The SHC Model
Our approach
We meet students where they are and walk with them through every stage of their changemaking journey.
Discover
Identify a challenge you care about in your community. We help you clarify your idea and define your goals through guided workshops.
Design
Build a plan with the help of a dedicated mentor. Use our planning toolkit to map your project timeline, team, and resources.
Launch
Take action. We provide micro-funding, community connections, and ongoing support as you execute your initiative in the real world.
Scale
Share your story, celebrate your impact, and grow your reach. Our alumni become ambassadors and inspire the next generation.
The People Behind SHC
Our team
Educators, community builders, and former students united by a belief in the next generation.
Sarah Lin
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Former teacher and community organizer with 12 years of experience in youth development and non-profit leadership.
Marcus Osei
Co-Founder & Program Director
Entrepreneur and mentor who has helped launch dozens of youth-led initiatives across urban and rural communities.
Priya Sharma
Director of Partnerships
Connects SHC with schools, funders, and community organizations. Passionate about building ecosystems that support youth voice.
Jordan Rivera
Student Ambassador Lead
An SHC alumnus who launched a peer tutoring network at age 16. Now leads our ambassador and mentorship programs.
Emma Chen
Head of Resources & Training
Curriculum designer with a background in experiential education. Creates the toolkits and workshops that help students succeed.
David Park
Operations & Finance
Keeps SHC running smoothly. Oversees finances, grants, and the systems that support every student we work with.
Our Journey
Annual highlights
Key milestones in the Small Hands Count story.
2021
Founded — first 5 students, 3 projects
Small Hands Count launched with a founding cohort of 5 students who completed three community projects, including a neighborhood food drive and a school garden.
2022
Expanded to 8 schools, launched the Fellowship
Grew our reach to 8 partner schools. Launched the Youth Leadership Fellowship with support from a community foundation grant, serving 25 students.
2023
100th project milestone & first Microgrant cycle
Celebrated our 100th student-led project. Introduced Community Impact Microgrants, distributing $8,000 in seed funding to 20 student teams.
2024
Ambassador Program launched, 40+ communities served
SHC alumni became mentors through our new Ambassador Program. Reached students in 40+ communities and partnered with 3 universities for collegiate mentor matching.
2025–Present
Online platform, regional expansion
Launched this website to scale our reach nationally. Now accepting project applications from students anywhere, with virtual mentorship available year-round.
Our Partners & Supporters