Story About Our Organization
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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.
Our mission is rooted in the conviction that empowering these young individuals – nurturing their intellectual capacity, emotional resilience, socio-environmental consciousness, financial acumen, physical vitality, vocational aspirations, and spiritual grounding – is not merely an act of support, but a strategic investment in our collective future.
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.
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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
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.
Join the Holistic Education Revolution with Sunshine in a Backpack.
