Marissa Hacker’s brother Matthew is autistic, and she saw how socially isolated he was growing up in Voorhees, NJ. She dreamed of a comfortable, easy environment where he could hang out with friends and enjoy himself, and she decided to create one. She was just 15!!

Young or old, Age is not a barrier to making the world a better place.

Now 21, Fantastic Friends is alive and well, and continues to host monthly social functions for friends (members with special needs) and volunteer friends (peer volunteers).

“Our teen-led chapters help people with special needs gain confidence about being in a group, while sharing ideas, hopes, and dreams, in an accepting environment,” Marissa Hacker

The organization has raised $30,000 to support activities involving 500 participants, volunteers, siblings, and parents — it’s one of the top 100 special needs social groups in the United States. Marissa recently received a Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award, which recognizes the next generation of philanthropic visionaries and provides them with support and resources in their drive to make the world a better place.

Next up for Fantastic Friends? Convincing Bruno Mars to come to their Prom!

Enjoy this fantastically FUN video. Well done too!

When Marissa was interviewed in for the online publication, JewishExponent.com, they asked:

Q: Is there anything you would tell your 15-year-old self now?

A: “I would tell myself not to worry so much because everything always works out. I would tell myself not to be nervous about anything.”

Interested in starting a chapter in your area? Get in touch! This is a group dynamic worth sharing.

Interestingly, on the heels of editing this article to share, we just last night watched a very well produced movie on an autistic young woman, played by Dakota Fanning, titled Please Stand By.

“I would tell my [younger] self not to worry so much because everything always works out.”

The post Marissa Started Fantastic Friends at age 15! appeared first on iHeartDaily.

Finding money for college is both a noble and difficult mission. You’ve got ambitions, dreams, goals… and it’s expensive as heck. Sure, there are big-name scholarships and financial aid packages to apply for, but there are also thousands of lesser-known opportunities that your average Google search may or may not reveal.

Enter Scholly, an app that uses a set of eight specific parameters to instantly match applicants with their best scholarship prospects. The database is current, the guidelines are clear, and the app has helped applicants secure over $35 million in scholarships in the last two years alone.

The Scholly app has helped applicants secure over $35 million in scholarships over two years.

Scholly’s database includes both need-based and merit scholarships, and also features helpful tips for the application process, examples of successful essays and a dashboard for saved dates and deadlines.

“There are millions of dollars in funding for college and grad school that go to waste each year simply because students aren’t aware they exist or don’t know where to look,” says Christopher Gray (pictured), who founded Scholly in 2013, while an undergraduate at Drexel University.

“Millions of dollars in funding for college and grad school go to waste each year.” Christopher Gray, founder, Scholly

Gray grew up in an underserved community in Alabama, and he doggedly pursued funding for college (often applying on his phone since he had no computer at home — a tedious process). Ultimately, he won $1.3 million in scholarships. So, you know, he’s a good source.

“Persistence is key.” Christopher Gray, founder, Scholly

Read more success stories and check out Scholly for yourself.

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Emerging pop-country star Lizzie Sider, 19, isn’t your average singer. Lizzie is also a huge anti-bullying advocate. Although she had friends and lots of interests in elementary school, there was a group of kids who bullied her daily. “I didn’t understand why I was the target; I was a normal kid who was always kind to everyone,” she says. “Although my principal and teachers tried to talk to my class about respect, kindness, and anti-bullying, it just didn’t click with the students who were bullying me.”

One morning, Lizzie’s dad told her to remember that “nobody has the power to ruin your day.” She realized she couldn’t let the bullies get to her. We sat down to talk to Lizzie about her music, her life and her inspiring anti-bullying campaign, Nobody Has The Power To Ruin Your Day, which has reached over 150,000 students and counting.

I Heart Daily: What made you want to speak out about bullying?
Lizzie Sider: When you experience something like bullying, it is always a part of you, even if over time the pain fades. The pain faded for me. Now, I can create something good out of it.

“The pain faded for me. Now I can create something good out of it.” Lizzie Sider

IHD: Which songs of yours are the most meaningful to you in relation to bullying?
LS: The theme song of all of my bully prevention efforts is “Butterfly.” My own story was the inspiration, but the song speaks to anyone who is feeling smaller, weaker, trapped in a shell, or is experiencing any hardship. Our confidence and strength lies within ourselves. When we discover and embrace that, the sky is the limit.

“Our confidence and strength lies within ourselves. When we discover and embrace that, the sky is the limit.” Lizzie Sider

IHD: What do you hope that your anti-bullying campaign does for students?
LS: Not only does it relate my personal story to so many others, but it also tells bullies, victims, and bystanders what “To do” instead of what “Not to do.” I also incorporate positivity, encouragement, and music, which in my opinion, go hand-in-hand with bully prevention. I hope that my assemblies and the video package change perspectives, start conversations among students, teachers, and parents alike, and provide resources and good examples for individuals who are somehow involved in the bullying cycle to overcome it.

IHD: What kinds of reactions do you get when you visit schools?
LS: A live assembly is so much fun. It’s filled with emotional and physical ups and downs. The students share their stories! I’ve even had some stand up and share how they were once a bully, but not anymore. It takes a lot of courage to do that in front of hundreds of your peers.

IHD: We always ask: What are you hearting now?
LS: Adult coloring books, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Jackson Hole WY, Dan + Shay, Michael Bublé, large sweaters, anything “tribal” print, Emma Watson, Julie Andrews, and author/poet Victoria Erickson.

Thanks, Lizzie! Visit NobodyHasThePowerToRuinYourDay.org to ask for Lizzie’s free bully prevention materials.

Go Heart Daily!

The post Lizzie Sider – Pop Country Star and Bullying Activist appeared first on iHeartDaily.

“The Problem: Truck stops are a hot spot for sex trafficking.

“The Solution: Often, the only time victims are alone is in the bathroom. Turn that into a potentially life-saving opportunity by posting hotline info.

“When you’re on the road this Thanksgiving, post our Road Trip Warriors flyers in bathrooms and community board at rest stops.”

This incredible outreach campaign from DoSomething speaks for itself. Go here to sign up and print flyers for the road. Happy travels.

The post Save a Life on Your Holiday Road Trip appeared first on iHeartDaily.

It’s likely that you have some gently loved toys lying around, and the upcoming holiday is the perfect time to take stock. Those My Little Ponies will never sell for that much on ebay, so it’s time to let someone else know the joys of Applejack and Rainbow Dash. 

That’s where Second Chance Toys (SCT) comes in. This organization takes used plastic toys, which are often “good as new” (and would forever clog a landfill), and puts them into the hands of kids who need them. Last year, they collected over 200,000 toys — that’s a lot of colorful plastic cheer they’re spreading! We talked to founder Sasha Lipton, who was 15 when SCT started:

I Heart Daily: Where did the idea for SCT come from?
Sasha Lipton: While driving around on a big garbage collection day in my town, I noticed how many people were throwing away plastic toys. I knew that there were so many children in nearby towns who could not afford these toys that were destined for the landfill, so I started collecting them from the curb, cleaning, and donating them.

IHD: Tell us about a favorite moment.
SL: At the first Second Chance Toys donation, the children couldn’t believe that they were being given toys of their own, and were so excited. I will never forget the smiles on their faces and the feeling I had knowing that I had really brightened their day.

IHD: What’s been the toughest challenge for SCT?
SL: Figuring out an expansion strategy. Ideally I would like SCT to have donations taking place in every state, but also want to ensure that quality remains consistent.

IHD: How can teenagers help support SCT in their own communities?
SL: Teens can donate their old toys or start their own collection! 

This year, Sasha passes the Ambassador of SCT baton to the teenage children of Denise Albert and Melissa Musen Gerstein, the women behind The MOMS. It’s a new generation of kids helping kids — so here’s how YOU can get involved too. 

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