June 30, 2022

Sophomore launches summer outreach and volunteering effort

Upper St. Clair High School sophomore Kriti Gupta is currently recruiting volunteers for several initiatives that support students in nearby schools and communities who need additional support. The effort is part of the Chance to Change Lives (CCL) organization.

As a founding member of CCL, Kriti currently directs CCL-Kids, a program designed to help kids who experience homelessness, as well as elementary school students in underfunded school districts with their educational and after-school learning needs.

The CCL-Kids program is offering three volunteer opportunities for this summer:

• A virtual reading and mentoring initiative
• A backpack drive to help underfunded schools in the McKeesport Area School District for the upcoming school year.
• The creation of care packages for teenage girls at local shelters and hygiene kits for tweens.

Students interested in serving as a CCL-Kids summer outreach program volunteer can sign up online. Volunteer hours can be used to meet the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program community service requirement.

CCL-Kids received a $5,600 boost from Fort Couch Middle School in December 2021, when it was selected as one of four charitable organizations for the school’s annual Reach Out campaign. Kriti shared the plans for CCL-Kids comprehensive summer outreach program with Fort Couch Student Council.

For more information about Chance to Change Lives–Kids, visit www.ccl-us.org/kids.