The Thrive in Joy Nick Fagnano Foundation

C11 provides the opportunity for students in low-income communities to engage in peer to peer leadership experience culminating in entrepreneurial social impact projects that address a pressing need in their communities. This grant will support five high schools to hold weekly meetings, student internship experience, mentor-pairings, and resources necessary for students to complete their projects. Through hands-on service experience, C11 activates community problem-solving, academic confidence, and collective advocacy for a better LA in 2050.

The Thrive in Joy C11 program prepares high school students from low-income families for college. We currently serve students at USC Hybrid High in University Park and Esperanza High in East LA. We are expanding to two additional LA high schools serving similar student demographics for the 2023-24 academic year. C11 provides a curriculum focused on character development, opportunities for student-led entrepreneurial service-learning and supports individual HS students' college readiness as they prepare for higher education opportunities.

C11 provides teens in high schools serving low-income communities with an opportunity to discover their character strengths, affirm their identities, develop leadership and teamwork experience through an entrepreneurial lens focused on social impact. The program provides teens with micro grants to execute their projects as well as mentors to support their academics and their college application process.