Joe Julian, a student at Baylor School, is taking a stand for education—and providing books to those who need them. The 17-year-old is renovating a local community center to give students a welcoming space to read and learn in.
Joe recently applied for—and won—a microgrant from Karma for Cara (K4C), a nonprofit that promotes service and youth engagement in the community.
Joe and his classmates tutor children at the Carver Community Center every day after school. Many of these children live in poverty and attend schools without proper libraries.
K4C is helping Joe buy the furniture and books he needs to provide a bright, open, colorful library space for these students.
“Many of these children are experiencing difficult family lives,” said Miriam Finder, K4C executive director. “The renovated space encourages a love of reading for these kids and gives them a space of their own. We know his work will change many student lives forever, and we’re proud to help him.”
K4C’s microgrant program encourages youth volunteers—18-years-old and younger—to apply for funds that support their community service ideas. The program donates between $250 and $1,000 to microgrant winners. K4C has awarded 32 grants since 2014.
Baylor students who are involved with the after-school tutoring program help more than 300 children with homework assignments, reading programs, computer classes, music lessons, foreign languages, drama and art programs. The volunteers contribute more than 40,000 service hours each year.