🎮 Joe the Gamer: From Pixels to Purpose

By: Varsha Kumar & Oge Ikhile, Seasonal Event Management Intern & Mentor | Digital4Good

When Joe Petraro—better known as Joe the Gamer—stood on the stage at Google HQ during the 2024 Digital4Good x #ICANHELP Summit, he wasn’t just there to talk about kindness. He was there to prove that kids like him—kids with Tourette’s, kids who’ve been underestimated or excluded—have voices that deserve to be heard.

Joe’s journey into changemaking began with a deep sense of empathy and a personal history of being left out. “I’ve been bullied, excluded, and underestimated,” he shares. “I know how much that hurts. But I also know how powerful kindness can be. One act can completely change someone’s day—or even their life.” That belief led him to launch Joe’s Be Kind Campaign, a simple yet powerful initiative that challenged bullying by encouraging everyday acts of inclusion.

But Joe didn’t stop there.

Other Initiatives

Fueled by purpose and what he calls “turning pain into fuel,” he launched a series of other initiatives that address global and local issues—Joe’s Wells for Humanity, focused on the clean water crisis in Africa; Sports 4 All, which advocates for inclusive athletics; Adopt a Grandparent, to tackle senior loneliness; and The Rewind Project, a storytelling campaign designed to heal trauma through digital narratives. “Every one of those projects started because I saw something wrong in the world and I couldn’t unsee it,” he explains. “I’ve been through a lot myself, and I just couldn’t sit still.”

Balancing all these projects might seem overwhelming, but Joe has a secret weapon: gamification. “I treat my work like a video game—I set missions, level up one at a time, and keep moving forward,” he laughs. With the support of his family and the Digital4Good community, Joe has built a rhythm that keeps him grounded while staying impact-driven.

Digital4Good Summit

Following his selection as a 2024 Changemaker, Joe stepped further into leadership as a Digital4Good intern, taking on the role of Social Impact Manager and contributing to the Annual Public Relations Committee. It was behind the scenes where he realized how storytelling shapes movements. “Sure, you can post cool graphics, but it’s the stories that hit people’s hearts—that’s where the real change starts,” Joe says. “Helping other changemakers shine was just as fulfilling as having the spotlight myself.”

One of the most impactful moments of his summit experience came not during his presentation, but after. “Someone I really look up to came up to me and said, ‘We need more voices like yours at the table,’” Joe recalls. That individual—now a mentor—regularly sends him book recommendations, encourages his growth, and makes sure he feels seen and accepted. “It gave me the confidence to see myself not just as a student or kid with a cause, but as a leader.”

And no story about Joe is complete without mentioning Kim Karr, co-founder of #ICANHELP. “She’s like the sun on my face on a perfect day,” Joe says warmly. “Since day one, she’s accepted me and truly understood me and all my quirks. She makes the world better just by being in it.”

Joe’s Advice to Students

For those wondering how to start their own movement or apply for the next Digital4Good opportunity, Joe’s advice is refreshingly simple: “Start.” Don’t wait to be older. Don’t wait until you have all the answers. “Lead with your why—not with likes or followers, but with purpose. Surround yourself with people who believe in you. The world will try to mute you, but your story matters. You matter. And if you’re reading this, you’re already halfway to being a changemaker.”

So, take it from Joe the Gamer: press start. Be kind. Be bold. And most importantly, be you.

Join Our Movement & Learn More

To learn more about Joe, check out this article here. 

If you are interested or passionate about digital literacy, wellness, or youth advocacy like Joe, consider attending our Digital4Good summit in 2026 or by donating and supporting our changemakers' mission throughout their time as a selected changemaker. 

Or, if you are interested in mentorship and work in tech, education, or another industry, consider joining our mentor team and visit https://www.icanhelp.net/mentors to learn more!

Together, you can make an impact supporting our summit and our mission to empower youth advocacy and digital wellness.