One Bead

At One Bead, we teach kids how to transform society rather than function within it. One Bead's mission is to prove that one student can be a catalyst for change, both in their own life and in the lives of others. Our programming is designed to give students who may struggle academically and/or socially opportunities to feel successful. This stems from our belief that if you can point to a time in your life where your sense of self allowed you to achieve, then your ability to replicate that experience becomes infinitely stronger.

Middle school is arguably one of the most vulnerable times in a child’s life. Academically, we know students who fail to reach a certain level of competency in math and reading by eighth grade are almost certain to drop out of high school. And that’s just what happens inside of the classroom. Outside of school, many of our students are exposed to issues ranging from homelessness to gun violence. It is imperative then that we give our students opportunities to achieve at a young age.

Our main program service gives elementary and middle school aged students a $1,000 opportunity to make a difference in their community. This yearlong $1K Program is customized to meet the needs of every child in the class. It is designed to build both empathy for others and inspire an entrepreneurial approach to problem solving. For our partners with shorter program timelines, we offer an alternative program called CEOs & NGOs. Instead of working towards the implementation of a student-led service project, CEOs & NGOs culminates with a networking event that brings together youth and professionals across the city.