Young Leader Chelsy Ovilla Awarded 2026 YSA Grant for The Corona Bridge Project

Projekt NYC is proud to celebrate an incredible milestone within our community.

Chelsy Ovilla, a 16-year-old youth leader, has been awarded a 2026 Youth Service America (YSA) Grant, funded by the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation, for her initiative, The Corona Bridge Project.

Chelsy’s project is deeply personal and rooted in her experience growing up in Corona, Queens where many families face limited access to resources, youth programs, and opportunities. Rather than accept these challenges, Chelsy is transforming them into action. Through The Corona Bridge Project, she is creating pathways for young people to lead, serve, and strengthen their own community.

This April (Youth Service America Month), Chelsy will lead a Day of Service in partnership with Familia Food Pantry, bringing together 25–30 student volunteers from across Queens.

In the weeks leading up to the event, she is organizing school based food drives across multiple high schools, empowering student ambassadors to take ownership and lead collection efforts within their own schools.

On the day of service, volunteers will play an active role in supporting local families by sorting and organizing donated food, assembling food boxes, distributing supplies alongside pantry staff, and assisting with logistics and cleanup. A dedicated team will also document the event, helping amplify the impact of youth-led service in the community.

Together, this effort aims to support over 100 local families while providing students with a meaningful, hands-on leadership experience.

What makes The Corona Bridge Project especially powerful is that it extends far beyond a single day of service. Chelsy is building a model that empowers young people to step into leadership roles, represent their schools, and actively contribute to improving their neighborhoods.

How to Get Involved:

We invite our community to support Chelsy and be part of this impactful initiative:

• Students (ages 14+): Sign up to volunteer for the Day of Service

• Schools & Clubs: Partner with us to host a food drive or serve as a school ambassador

• Community Members: Help spread the word or contribute supplies or assist with transportation of goods to the food pantry.

• Local Partners & Sponsors: Support the project through donations or in-kind contributions.