The changemakers: Alana, Aubrey, DJ, Katherine, Mila, Natali

The passion: Help children

The problem: Hope’s Door is an organization in New York that provides temporary housing to families transitioning into stable, permanent housing. Initially, the team did not know the best way to help. “We interviewed Ms. Brittany Hodgins, Director of Residential Services, so we could find out more about Hope’s Door and how she helps everyone who comes there,” said Alana McDonald ’30. The girls learned that Hope’s Door is a small, home-like shelter for 19 people and that monetary and toiletry donations are most helpful. “You guys had great questions. It was nice to meet you,” Hodgins said as the interview concluded. Across the screen, three young interviewers put down their note-taking pencils and responded, almost singing in unison, “Thank you. It was nice to meet you too.” The students also looked at Hope’s Door’s Amazon WishList and noticed that the shelter needed crafts.

The change needed: Provide toiletries and homemade craft and bracelet kits for children arriving at Hope’s Door.

The changemakers: Amelia, Bella, Emma, Lana, Maggie, Margaret

The passion: Help animals

The problem: “Our group is passionate about helping animals,” said Lana Callender ‘30. Senior Development Officer Allison Hough ’01 introduced the team to the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PSPCA) that provides services to all kinds of animals including dogs, cats, bunnies, horses, cows, snakes, and more. Initially, the students assumed that the animal shelter would need food and toys. But during an interview with Mandy Hood, Community Outreach Manager, they learned that the greatest need is financial support for pet owners who cannot afford basic medical care for their pets. “We created a storyboard so we could document all the steps of our project,” said Bell Akinsemoyin ’30.

The change needed: Provide financial assistance to community members to help them pay for pets’ medical needs

The changemakers: Anya, Astrid, Caden, Evelyn, Leah, Maura, Mia

The passion: Spread love and kindness to teachers

The problem: The girls saw that it was extra work for their teachers to enforce COVID protocols. “We wanted to make the teachers feel appreciated for all they were doing and adapting to. When we first started to put a plan together, our ideas were really big,” said Evelyn Ford ’30. They wanted to plan a field day for teachers, filled with food trucks and games. But after conducting interviews with Camille Seals, Assistant Head of School for Academics & Inclusive Excellence, and Lower School teacher Anna Tobia, among others, the girls realized that little acts of appreciation would be most touching to their teachers.

The change needed: Share appreciation, love, and kindness to teachers for their hard work during the pandemic by making 200 crafted cards with personal notes of gratitude.

The changemakers: Aria, Eloise, Erin, Maggie, Parker, Sareen, Sydney

The passion: Take care of Agnes Irwin by refurbishing a cherished playground barn that was built in 2016 in honor and memory of Naya Summy ’21 who passed away from cancer during her time at AIS.

The problem: “This group saw an immediate need in our own community,” said Elizardi. They noticed that PaintJack’s Barn, the playground barn that was named for Naya Summy’s horse, was sandy, had wood chips in the sandbox, and had disrepair to the wood and exterior paint. They wanted to refurbish the barn so that it could continue to be enjoyed the way Naya would have wanted. At assembly, the team shared Naya’s story and the history of PaintJack’s Play Barn with all of the Lower Schoolers, and they announced their goal to restore the barn as well as to change the way students played in it. They outlined their newly-composed rules on a big screen: 1) Keep sand in the sandbox; 2) Be respectful in the barn; 3) Sit, don’t stand, on the benches and table; and 4) Don’t mix leaves, sand, or dirt in the sandbox. “Naya’s story and her legacy at Agnes Irwin are powerful,” said Elizardi.

The change needed: Clean up and repair PaintJack’s Play Barn