I confidently embody and demonstrate Don Jorge's values through my 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Reducing Animal Stress (https://linktr.ee/reducinganimalstress). Based on my Girl Scout Silver and Gold Awards, my nonprofit's mission is to support animal shelters and rescues, and reduce the number of animals stuck in overcrowded shelters.
My motivation behind starting this nonprofit was my desire to help animals. After spending much of my childhood volunteering with local animal shelters and rescues, I saw how anxious the animals looked in cages. I instantly knew I wanted to help them.
My nonprofit focuses on the principles of kindness, as all funds go to helping animals. Being completely volunteer-based, we rely on scholarships and grants. So far, I won the NSHSS Be More Fund to make foster kits, a grant from the Westside Neighborhood Council to make adoption kits, and the Riley’s Way Call for Kindness “A Kinder World for Animals Award” to make retention kits.
I exemplify diversity and inclusion through my kits that are distributed to everyone, regardless of race, color, background, religion, or gender. Specifically, my retention kits help people of different backgrounds struggling to keep their already adopted pet(s). Examples include seniors, disabled people, financially struggling people, and much more. Additionally, I am committed to educating people of all backgrounds and ages. I lead workshops to teach people about the importance of pet enrichment and keeping animals less stressed. I also explain how to make pet items using recycled materials to support the planet. These workshops are free and hosted around Greater Los Angeles, ensuring everyone in my community can access them. Many of the libraries and schools I teach at are in underrepresented areas. For example, over the summer, I taught workshops to youth at the Girls and Boys Club and Prime Time, which are supportive environments for kids/teens of diverse backgrounds.
I demonstrate leadership by inspiring youth and others to get involved, take action, and fight for what they believe in. At my workshops, I mention steps they can do immediately to help animals in their community. I also train teen volunteers to help me lead workshops and answer questions.
I encourage community volunteerism through my crafting stations, where I attend various community events and fairs. Reaching a significant number of people at these events (sometimes even hundreds), ranging from kids to seniors, participants learn how to create pet enrichment items. All items made at my crafting stations are donated to shelters and rescues or included in our adoption, foster, or retention kits.
To reach people on a global level, my workshops are available on various social media platforms and my website. This allows young people everywhere to access my work and be inspired, especially considering the issues I teach about are worldwide problems. I've also hosted workshops via Zoom, where people from other states can attend. Additionally, I've been featured in local, national, and international articles, expanding my reach to people.
Starting a nonprofit has helped me grow on both a personal and professional level. I gained public speaking, leadership, problem-solving, and time management skills. This experience led me to deciding my college major as entrepreneurial business. Afterward, I plan to run a successful business and continue to support my community.