What Drives Us
Mission & Vision
Our Mission
Turning passion into purpose
Small Hands Count empowers students from all backgrounds to identify community challenges, design meaningful responses, and lead initiatives that create lasting impact — supported every step of the way by mentors, resources, and a caring community.
Our Vision
A generation of confident changemakers
We envision a world where every young person — regardless of age, background, or resources — has the confidence and capability to lead initiatives that strengthen their communities and solve the challenges of our time.
The SHC Model
Our approach
We meet students where they are and walk with them through every stage of their changemaking journey.
Discover
Identify a challenge you care about in your community. We help you clarify your idea and define your goals through guided workshops.
Design
Build a plan with the help of a dedicated mentor. Use our planning toolkit to map your project timeline, team, and resources.
Launch
Take action. We provide micro-funding, community connections, and ongoing support as you execute your initiative in the real world.
Scale
Share your story, celebrate your impact, and grow your reach. Our alumni become ambassadors and inspire the next generation.
The People Behind SHC
Our Team
Educators, community builders, and former students united by a belief in the next generation.
Alex Li
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Former pharmaceutical industry executive with over 25 years of leadership and mentorship experience, along with extensive leadership experience in the nonprofit sector.
Darek Zhu
Co-Founder & Program Director
Entrepreneur and mentor who has helped launch dozens of youth-led initiatives across urban and rural communities.
Bertie Ma
Director of Partnerships
Connects SHC with schools, funders, and community organizations. Passionate about building ecosystems that support youth voice.
David Park
Student Ambassador Lead
An SHC alumnus who launched a peer tutoring network at age 16. Now leads our ambassador and mentorship programs.
Emma Chen
Head of Resources & Training
Curriculum designer with a background in experiential education. Creates the toolkits and workshops that help students succeed.
Lily Lin
Operations & Finance
Keeps SHC running smoothly. Oversees finances, grants, and the systems that support every student we work with.