ABOUT US
How this thing started: Our non-profit organization was founded by kids, for kids. We are a group of high school students who came together because of a common passion: making the world a better place. All of us were doing things as individuals to help others, so we thought: how much more could we accomplish if we joined forces? And what if we helped to try and encourage other children and teens to be involved too?
​
We know that the desire to reach out and help others is present in all of us. We see kindness and compassion in really young children all the time, so why do some children grow up and help others for their whole lives, but others don't? We think it may be because some people learned to help others from an early age. Once someone experiences the satisfaction and happiness that comes from giving back, it can become a lifetime habit.
​
Through a Better Place for Kids, we hope to engage other children and teens in projects to help others, both at home and in the world. Through increasing the number of people who understand the meaning and satisfaction of helping others, we believe we truly can make the world a better place.
​
-----Amelia Thompson
​
Who We Are:
Amelia Thompson, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors. Amelia is a 20 year old college student who graduated high school with an IB diploma and loves anything related to math or science. She has been an advocate for The Shoe that Grows, and has held and participated in multiple fundraisers for the cause. As a student athlete in high school, she participated in Cross Country, Winter track, and Spring track. When not studying or running, she is passionate about reading, spending time with family, baking, and thinking of ways to change the world.
Sophie Bockman, Vice President, Board of Directors. Sophie is a college freshman from Northern Virginia. She has been an engaged member of her Girl Scout troop for 12 years. Sophie was an advocate for inclusion within her school; she was a part of a peer helping class, and she helped to plan a Peter Pan sensory friendly show at her school. She enjoyed playing tennis on her high school girls varsity tennis team. Outside of school, Sophie enjoys volunteering for various organizations, and she helped to establish a reading club for her local elementary school.
Kylie Sullivan, Secretary, Board of Directors. Kylie is a college freshman from Northern Virginia who graduated high school with an IB diploma. She is an active Girl Scout of 12 years and she has her Silver Award and Silver Trefoil and is working towards her Gold Award. She loves going to the gym and spending her time volunteering at numerous organizations.
Sydney Childress, Treasurer, Board of Directors. Sydney is a high school senior from Northern Virginia. She is a dressember advocate who loves engaging in service opportunities in and outside her community. She is very involved in her academics and hopes to be eligible for the IB diploma. Outside of school, she runs for her high school cross country and track teams and is an active member in her church community.