Feng, age 16, used to be the typical "quiet kid" at school, never raising her hand or speaking up in the classroom. Born in China and arriving in the U.S. at the age of six, Feng lives on the Lower East Side and attends a nearby high school. When Feng first arrived at our Edgies Teen Center, she was extremely shy and hesitant to take part in new activities.

We encouraged Feng to join our Global Girls program, a service learning program for girls empowerment. During the two-week trip to Honduras, she had the opportunity to teach English in a local elementary school and immerse herself in a new cultural environment. "Witnessing the poverty there... it gave me a whole new outlook on life," she said. 

Since the trip last summer, Feng not only speaks up in class, but she's improved her grades and has become involved in community service. She's now participating in our College Prep Program and says that she might want to become a teacher.