Equipping Underserved Young People With Holistic Wellbeing Tools and Skills to Lead Brighter Lives
Who we are ?
Pioneering Holistic Youth Development Since 2010
With roots dating back to 2010, our organization is an innovative non-profit committed to addressing a critical global imperative: the comprehensive development of today’s youth. We recognize that the 1.2 billion young people who comprise the largest generation in history navigate an environment characterized by unprecedented pressures and challenges. Their ability to thrive demands more than conventional academic instruction; it necessitates the cultivation of essential life skills and a robust foundation of holistic well-being.
What we do ?
We provide a meticulously designed and research-informed solution centered on holistic youth development. Our proprietary learning tools, resources, and experiential programs – the essence of our “sunshine” initiative – are strategically crafted to guide young people toward becoming well-rounded individuals and impactful leaders.
To ensure practical application and enduring impact, we equip youth with a carefully curated “holistic backpack” of evidence-based resources and materials intended for daily engagement.
How the Program Works
Step 1: Needs Assessment
We collaborate with our partners to understand the unique challenges and needs of the youth they serve. This ensures that the program is tailored to their specific context.
Step 2: Customized Shine Brighter Backpack Program
We deliver the Shine Brighter Backpack Program filled with age-appropriate tools, resources, and activities designed to foster essential life skills.
Step 3: Integrated Support Network
Our partners play a vital role in implementing the program, providing mentorship, guidance, and additional support to youth. We provide them with support tools and resources to support the ongoing development of youth who have completed the program.
Step 4: Ongoing Evaluation and Improvement
We work closely with our partners to evaluate the program’s effectiveness and make adjustments based on the feedback and data collected.
By working together, we create a powerful synergy that amplifies the impact of the Shine Brighter Backpack Program, supporting youth in reaching their potential and leading fulfilling, healthy lives.
Ready to partner with us?
Our Programs
Shine Brighter - Sparklers
Sparklers program is a fun and interactive learning journey designed specifically for youth aged 10-13, a time of big changes and exciting discoveries!.
Shine Brighter- Radiants
Radiants program is an engaging and empowering journey designed specifically for youth aged 14-16, a period of significant self-discovery and navigating more complex social landscapes.
Shine Brighter- Luminaries
Luminaries program is a focused and empowering journey designed for youth aged 17-19, a pivotal time of transition into adulthood and making significant life decisions.
Your donation is more than a gift—it's an investment in a world where young people thrive not only academically, but emotionally, socially, financially, and spiritually—equipped to make meaningful change in their lives and communities.
Our Educational & Curriculum Framework
We provide a meticulously designed and research-informed solution centered on holistic youth development. Our proprietary learning tools, resources, and experiential programs – the essence of our "sunshine" initiative – are strategically crafted to guide young people toward becoming well-rounded individuals and impactful leaders.
To ensure practical application and enduring impact, we equip youth with a carefully curated "holistic backpack" of evidence-based resources and materials intended for daily engagement.
Our methodologies are rigorously informed by the latest advancements in learning science, education, psychology, and neuroscience. This commitment to research enables us to develop engaging, efficient, and effective learning experiences that are thoughtfully tailored to the diverse developmental needs and socio-cultural contexts of our participants.
Our History - Timeline
Milestone Moments & Accomplishments
Year/Years
Key Milestone/Event
Photos/Other media
2010-2011
The first backpack donation was organized as an outreach event of the Fans of the Dominican Republic student club at Purdue University. 41 backpacks, filled with school supplies, were donated and distributed to Dominican and Haitian children attending four different churches in Santiago city, the second largest city in the Country. The Haitian children had lost their parents to the catastrophic earthquake that hit Port-au-Prince in January 2010.
2014
Registration and official launch of Sunshine in a Backpack in the USA
Established first leadership and advisory team
Our first adventure of 2014 took place at the El Arca, a home for kids sponsored by Kids Alive Internationals in the beautiful province of Jarabocoa, Dominican Republic. In this first journey, 30 exceptional young children and adolescents shared with us their present and future aspirations and expectations in life. Their stories had helped us develop the holistic-based educational curriculum.
Won social innovation project scholarship to participate in a 2-week accelerator program (Project Social Impact) at Harlow Bay in Kingston, MA
2015
Became a Purdue Foundry startup
Presentation of the Sunshine in a Backpack Model at the 2015 Latin America Studies Association (LASA) Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico
2016
Webinar: Making the case for HPT in Social Entrepreneurship - presentation of the Sunshine in Backpack Model at the ISPI Tech Texas Chapter
First Pilot Program with Mentors and Youth in Frankfort, Indiana
2017-2019
Donation of 42 backpacks with school supplies to Dominican Non-profit Vida para Niños
2020-2022
Business model revisions
2023
Relaunch of Sunshine in Backpack Foundation in Canada
Upcoming event
24 Des
Skydive For Charity
- 1:00 pm - 1:00 pm
- Washington Ave.
25 Des
One-Day Online Fundraiser
- 1:00 pm - 1:00 pm
- Washington Ave.
30 Des
Donation Match Drive
- 1:00 pm - 1:00 pm
- Washington Ave.
12 Jan
Skydive For Charity
- 1:00 pm - 1:00 pm
- Washington Ave.
Eleanor Pena
Chirs Doe
Jason Wardell
Jane Cooper
“Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education.”
Join the Holistic Education Revolution with Sunshine in a Backpack.
