Hershey: The Heartwarming Project provides students with $250 Action Grants to Create Change

While it has been a challenging year for all of us, in recent years teens have reported increasing levels of stress, anxiety and other mental health challenges, which have only been exacerbated by the events of 2020. However, research has shown that increasing social and emotional competencies such as empathy and inclusion, as well as fostering meaningful connections with peers, adults and their community, can improve youth outcomes and wellbeing. Because of this, Hershey created The Heartwarming Project (HWP) to help kids and teens build these skills and celebrate the power of connection for youth wellbeing. 

Through HWP, The Hershey Company supports programs for children and teens with Social Emotional Learning based approaches that increase wellbeing and prepare them for success in the workplace. Hershey also works with its partners to highlight the actions young people take to create more inclusive, empathetic communities. Teens are leading the way in making our world more inclusive and connected.

In its second year, the HWP Action Grants program provides teens with a $250 grant to kickstart their idea to spark connection within their schools and communities. Last year’s program helped teens across the country create more inclusion and empathy through projects like hands-on coding workshops for young people from underrepresented backgrounds, new clubs with phone-free meetings that focus on inclusion, and “Mix it Up” lunch events where students interacted with peers outside of their social bubbles. This year, Hershey is providing 500 students with $250 Action Grants so they can be the change they want to see in their communities.

Kids and teens who have an idea to make their community stronger and more inclusive can apply at heartwarmingproject.com. The deadline for applications is December 31, 2020. And if you miss the deadline this year, don’t worry.  The HWP Action Grants program will be back again next school year, so stay tuned for more details about how to apply later in 2021.

In these increasingly divided and isolating times, finding ways to turn isolation into inclusion, and spread empathy and kindness are more important than ever. More resources are available at heartwarmingproject.com, including guides on raising confident kids, teaching empathy and more. 

Learn more about The Heartwarming Project.