Project 1841 comprises local teens, Brianna Bango, Amanda Bilsky, Mia Bono, Samantha Shortz, Martina Velez and Graciela Wilson collecting donations to pack essential 'starter kits' for boys and girls aging out of the Broward County foster care system. Working closely with ChildNet of Broward County over the course of seven generations, Project 1841 has delivered more than 1,000 starter kits to foster kids starting their transition to independence.

OUR STORY

In 2008, four students were moved to take a stand after reading an article in the local newspaper about how an 18-year-old girl was moving out of the foster care program and into a lonely apartment with her belongings packed in a plastic trash bag. Touched by the fact that dozens of kids close to their age had such little to their names, the four friends decided they needed to take action and banded together to form Project 1841. Standing for 18-year-olds, four girls, and one cause, Project 1841 presents foster teens aging out of the Broward County system with a "starter kit" for their 18th birthday.

The four founding students passed the torch to the next generation of 1841 volunteers upon graduating high school. Today, Project 1841 celebrates its 7th generation of girls, partnering with ChildNet of Broward County to provide essentials to Broward County's foster teens. "Starter Kits" include foundational items for the young men and women graduating from foster care, including pillows, bedding, towels, toiletries, dish ware, cleaning supplies, and food.