Having been a student in the Mount Diablo Unified School District since elementary school, Seena Farhadi (17 | Walnut Creek, California) began to notice the educational gap that existed between students in different parts of the district: while some schools were located in more affluent areas, others were in predominantly lower income and resource-scarce parts of the county, contributing to an imbalance of access to academic-related materials and support. This was especially noticeable for the more than 700 students who were in foster care or unhoused. As a first-generation American, Seena saw how many systemic obstacles lead immigrants and refugees to homelessness and unstable financial conditions and began to think about the many services offered by his high school, but the majority of those receiving support from the district’s Homeless Outreach Program for Education (HOPE) lacked.

In January 2021, Seena founded Learning Enrichment and Assistance Program (LEAP) to close that gap by supporting students who are in foster care or are unhoused through academic programming and resource provisions. Working with the district’s HOPE and Foster Youth Services, Seena identifies which students are in need of tutoring, recruits high school volunteers, and pairs them for one-on-one sessions throughout the year. When he began recruiting volunteers, Seema had an overwhelming response—in just a few days, nearly 40 high schoolers from across the district signed up to participate!

Outside of LEAP’s robust tutoring program, Seena has also hosted a two-week enrichment camp for students who are unhoused focusing on high school and college preparedness. With the support of groups like Rotary, Build-A-Bear Foundation, Riley’s Way and individual donors, Seena and his team have been able to donate hygiene items, stuffed animals, and gift cards to youth who are unhoused in the Bay Area. Almost all students enrolled in the program have seen a noticeable increase in their grade point averages. The program has also boosted participation and engagement in academic studies, as the tutors act as a support line for students, so they feel empowered rather than helpless.