The 2024 Digital4Good Youth Changemakers!

By: Aashritha Amirineni | Seasonal Content Creation Specialist, Digital4Good

Each year, Digital4Good holds a summit recognizing and highlighting the work of young people and teens who use digital media and technology to address serious challenges across the economic, social, environmental, and educational realms. Many of our selected Changemakers are celebrated for their work and paired with notable mentors who help them augment and expand their impact. At Digital4Good, we strive to celebrate these remarkable young minds while paving the way for a better future. 

Who are some of our Changmakers?

This year, we had numerous winners who made a change across their community. (Hence why we call them Changemakers) Many are mental health advocates who want to create a safe space. Be sure to check them out below and support them!

Taanvi Arekapudi

Taanvi Arekapudi reaches a wide audience as a mental health advocate and author of UpLift Teens Today. She aims to help encourage teens to talk more openly about their mental health. Her book discusses her own mental health journey and provides tools on how others can improve theirs. 

Areen Hashemi

Areen Hashemi’s website Normalizing the Conversation is an online platform that allows people to share their personal struggles with mental health while providing a wide array of resources. Her platform has opened a safe space for people to talk about their struggles. So far, her platform has reached over 10,000,000 people and engages over 24,000 users across social media platforms.

Sharada Suresh

Sharada Suresh co-created Little Apple Academy with her sister Harita to help young kids learn coding languages like  JavaScript and HTML. Their program has impacted kids across the world, including places like the U.S.A. and  France. While  coding programs are a large focus, it’s not the only thing that they do. They also focus on community outreach. 

Jimin Lee

Jimin Lee is the founder of SELFidence, a place where youth can build their self-confidence and better their mental health. SELFidence strives to provide a safe and open space for young people to talk about their mental health journeys. With her platform, Lee has provided a platform to over 100,000 people and continues to provide resources, while encouraging  others to share their experiences. 

Saket Pathak

Saket Pathak is the founder and creator of Learning Quest, a non-profit that aims to offer school supplies to underprivileged youth. From gathering books through door-to-door visits to donating 8,000 books, Pathak has impacted 20,000 children across India, Africa, and the U.S.A. Utilizing Social Media, Learning Quest has raised over $4,000 through GoFundMe and their partnerships.

Areli Rosales

Areli Rosales founded KeepInMind, a non-profit based in El Paso, Texas, which advocates for mental health advocates, primarily in Hispanic communities. KeepInMindh addresses topics like legal changes and mass shootings, providing easy-to-understand insight for all ages. Additionally with her podcast, KeepInMind, Rosales aims to discuss trauma, anxiety, and seasonal blues.

Joseph Petraro

Joseph Petraro, a young advocate for anti-bullying and mental health, has made his mark through his  numerous projects and books. He actively raises funds for the underprivileged, created the Adopt-a-Grandparent program, built wells in Nigeria under Joe’s Wells for Humanity, and is an avid supporter of the Nightbird Foundation. He continues to spread joy in others through his campaigns like Joe The Gamer’s BE KIND campaign and supports  Digital 4Good + #ICANHELP's mission to inspire the next generation.

Gabriella Vernov and Sarina Vernov

Gabriella Vernov and Sarina Vernov are sisters who founded GLOW4KIDS in late December 2022 to support children with cancer. GLOW4KIDS started  as simple birthday gifts and turned into making and donating 350 unique bracelets to hospitals across the U.S.A. and Israel. The sisters are focused on expanding their initiative by educating and involving other kids, advocating the needs of children, and generating other gifts through bracelet-making sessions with kids of all ages.

How can you support the Digital4Good Summit?

Your help supports and empowers numerous student leaders in their work and missions. You can help support Digital4Good by sponsoring or donating to our cause. Your help will allow us to improve our resources and provide students with more resources and workshops. Please visit www.icanhelp.net/digital4good to learn more.