Atlanta Teens Change Their World

Pebble Tossers COVID-19 Youth Impact Grant recipients display their strength and leadership by helping others.

(Atlanta, GA, April 29, 2020)… Pebble Tossers, Atlanta’s leading youth development nonprofit organization, gave out $10,000 to metro Atlanta teens. The Pebble Tossers COVID-19 Youth Impact Grant required teens to submit ideas for innovative projects which would positively benefit low-income/at-risk youth and their families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The ten $1,000 mini-grants were awarded on April 6, 2020 and the teen grant recipients completed their grant projects with impressive benefits to the community.

From a pool of 48 submissions, recipients were selected and given a week to implement their projects. In providing youth with a voice and a platform to make a change in their community, the COVID-19 Youth Impact Grant fulfills Pebble Tossers mission of empowering youth to gain leadership skills through service.

Grant Recipients (grants awarded to individuals or small groups)

Adam Jordan, 10th grade – Druid Hills High School
Anna Banner, 7th grade – Westminster School
Angela Sheeran, Allie Knight + Hunter Knight, 7th grade – St. Francis School
Grace Manning, 7th grade – Autrey Middle School
Kimberly Guzman, 8th grade – Peachtree Charter Middle School
Hayden Jacobs, 11th grade – Riverwood High School
Chad DeWitt + David DeWitt, 10th + 12 grade – St. Pius X Catholic High School
Jasmin Harris, 10th grade – Charles Drew High School
Thomas James + Ryan James, 7th grade – Peachtree Charter Middle School
Juliette McKinley + Nicholas McKinley, 11th grade – Capstone Academy

Impressive overall impact:

900+ people benefited;
3,000+ meals provided;
17 computer tablets provided access to online education;
Hundreds of critical items, such as PPE, cleaning supplies, hygiene kits, and feminine products delivered;
Hundreds of comfort items, such as reading materials, games, & toys delivered;
Critical care documents translated into multiple languages;
Inspired others to join in to increase funding and reach;
Leadership skills, such as project management and budgeting, gained;
Teens empowered to directly help their communities.

Detailed results:

1300lbs of food delivered to the Community Action Center;
150 “sunshine boxes” delivered to three youth-care nonprofits to assist low-income youth shelter in place mandates;
17 baskets of personal hygiene and snack items delivered to 17 at-risk teenagers at the Rainbow House;
34 fully stocked hygiene packs (two-month supply each) delivered to 34 teenage girls at Social Justice Cafe for Girls;
17 tablets purchased and delivered to 17 elementary school children in need to provide access to their classes and connect their families with internet services;
13 food boxes plus translation services for families in quarantine Clarkston, GA through Friends of Refugees;
208 breakfasts, 40 boxed lunches, 185 dinners and 172 snacks provided to the Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities – Scottish Rite;
25 3D printed facemasks for first responders at Smyrna Fire Department Headquarters and the Tillman House plus 90 meals;
35 no-sew masks made and distributed;
Bilingual uplifting signs placed throughout communities;
Delivered food, hygiene and cleaning supplies to the 80 teens sheltering at Covenant House.

“I see the impact our youth make on our community every day and yet I am continually impressed by their creativity, compassion and desire to lead,” said Jennifer Guynn, Founder + Executive Director, Pebble Tossers. “In a very short timeframe, these teens created, planned, executed and reported on a project that had real impact on other kids hit hard by this pandemic. Many of the kids were able to stretch or add to their grant funds by reaching out to their community.”

The winning projects ranged from creative food drives and care packages to 3-D printing of masks and software tutorials. All recipients of donated items are considered at-risk community members and organizations hit especially hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. A complete list of winning projects is available on the Pebble Tossers website, www.pebbletossers.org.

About the Grant

The grant program, organized by Halle Tecco, an entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist, started on March 19, 2020 as an initial investment of $50,000 by Ms. Tecco and quickly grew to $400,000 as additional donations poured into the fund. Within days, 362 applications were submitted and Pebble Tossers was one of 36 nationwide recipients. For details: https://medium.com/@halletecco/supporting-the-helpers-during-covid-19-7cd506ec219d

About Pebble Tossers

Pebble Tossers is the premier local youth service organization focused on providing families with a comprehensive path to youth development through service to others, from preschool to graduation, or “nap to cap.” Customized programming empowers youth to lead by providing them with resources and age-appropriate opportunities. With Pebble Tossers, volunteers sign up, show up, and serve to create a ripple of giving in their community.

————–