Young Leaders Program

Hi there! We are the Young Leaders of Akshaya Patra. We are a group of dynamic, creative, and thoughtful young people, determined to make a difference in this world through our awareness and fundraising intiatives.

By joining our team you will be giving back to our heritage and culture in such an impactful way with the gift of a meal. Become the the voices of those children of India here in the US by spotlighting our cause around our local communities. Click below to join!

What do Young Leaders do?

Benefits of Young Leaders Program

References and recommendations for colleges, internships & job opportunities

Community service hours for school and extracurricular programs.

Recognition on our website, social media and newsletters.

Develop leadership, creative, and professional skills.

Mentorship possibilities in areas of business, arts, science, and social and cultural self improvement.

Speak About and represent Akshaya Patra at public events.

Visit to an Akshaya Patra kitchen & school in India.

Building creative skills and learn about video production by joining our social media content team.

Eligibility For Young Leaders

Anyone between the ages of 8 – 25 are eligible to apply for the Young Leaders program. A parent or guardian is required to sign a consent form for anyone 18 years or under.

Frequently Asked Quesations

As a non-profit organization, we rely on volunteers to help raise awareness and support for Akshaya Patra. By keeping our operational costs low, we can focus on our mission of feeding millions of children in India. Volunteers play a crucial role in expanding our reach and impact.

Our Youth Ambassadors range in age from 8 to 25 years old.

Yes. We are developing a structured onboarding system to help Youth Ambassadors understand Akshaya Patra’s mission and their role. Currently, once you sign up on our website, you will be connected with a Youth Coordinator in your area who will guide you, answer questions, and help you integrate into local activities and events.

Yes. Any time spent organizing events and participating in activities can be counted toward school volunteering hours.

Yes. Youth Coordinators can request a certificate on behalf of volunteers by contacting swati@apusa.org or yappies@apusa.org.

Yes. After one year of active volunteering with Akshaya Patra, Youth Ambassadors receive a certificate in recognition of their service.

Yes. We offer monthly activities that Youth Ambassadors can participate in, along with guidance from Youth Coordinators for any awareness or fundraising initiatives they wish to pursue.

Yes. Ambassadors who have actively participated in fundraising and awareness projects may request a Letter of Recommendation through their Youth Coordinator.

No. While fundraising is encouraged, Youth Ambassadors can also contribute by spreading awareness about Akshaya Patra’s mission.

Yes. If you are traveling to India, inform us in advance so we can connect you with our team. Akshaya Patra has 75 kitchens across 16 states in India, and we can facilitate volunteering opportunities at these locations.

The time commitment is flexible, depending on your availability. However, to be actively involved, we recommend dedicating at least 4-5 hours per month for meetings and event planning.

Yes. You can create your personal fundraising page using the following link: Fundraising Page

Yes! Students in grades 6-12 need a parent supervisor to start a chapter. College students are encouraged to establish a chapter at their university. We are developing a structured program for college ambassadors and welcome collaboration to enhance this initiative.

Yes! You have to submit your details by the end of the year to be considered for the nomination.

Questions?

For more information, click the link below or contact our YL national coordinator Swati at swati@apusa.org!

Live in the U.S. and wish to join our cause?

Help us feed 2.2+ million children across India every day

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