A group of Bay Area teenagers is proving that young people can make a meaningful difference in their communities.
Kids Empower Kids (KEK), a youth-led nonprofit founded in 2021, has partnered with Rosemary Elementary School in Campbell to provide 100 Chromebooks to students while expanding academic support through tutoring and classroom volunteering.
The initiative began with a simple goal: help students gain access to the technology they need to succeed academically. Through fundraising and community partnerships, KEK donated 100 Chromebooks along with additional educational resources.
But the organization’s commitment didn’t end with the donations.
Recognizing that access to technology is only one part of educational success, KEK launched a summer tutoring program at Campbell Library and expanded it into a year-round initiative, supporting 25 elementary students. Through personalized, one-on-one academic assistance, student volunteers help younger learners strengthen their skills, overcome challenges, and build confidence in their abilities.
When Rosemary Elementary later expressed a need for additional classroom support, KEK expanded its efforts. Twelve high school volunteers were recruited to assist teachers across five classrooms during school service days and holidays.
In one particularly meaningful moment, a teacher shared that a student who had struggled with a learning skill for two weeks finally made a breakthrough after receiving one-on-one attention from a volunteer.
“We started by providing Chromebooks because we wanted every child to have the tools to learn at home. But we quickly realized that access to technology is only part of the solution. Sometimes, what makes the biggest difference is having someone sit beside you, explain something differently, and believe in you until you believe in yourself,” shared the founders of Kids Empower Kids.
Since its founding, Kids Empower Kids has raised over $45,000, organized more than 25 fundraisers and service initiatives, engaged over 50 volunteers, and partnered with more than 10 organizations. Its community impact has also earned recognition from the City of San José.
The Rosemary Elementary partnership reflects KEK’s belief that meaningful change comes not just from providing resources, but from building lasting connections.
For these young volunteers, the greatest reward isn’t simply counting the number of Chromebooks distributed. It’s seeing a child’s confidence grow, watching a difficult concept finally click, and knowing that their time and effort have made a difference.
About Kids Empower Kids: Founded in 2021 by Aanya Remi, Kids Empower Kids is a youth-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering young people through education, volunteerism, and community service.
