The Dragon Kim Foundation is an Orange County-based social entrepreneurship incubator that empowers high school students to create positive change in their communities. Established in 2015 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit by Grace Tsai and Daniel Kim in memory of their late son, Dragon Kim, a student at the Orange County School of the Arts, the foundation inspires youth to impact their communities while discovering and pursuing their passions.
The students will receive three weekends of leadership training and hands-on mentorship from community leaders, along with a grant of up to $5,000 to expand their “Wise and Wonderful” service club at Mater Dei. The club connects students with seniors at assisted living centers, such as Sunnycrest, using storytelling, art, and shared activities to combat loneliness and foster meaningful relationships. Their goal is to extend their outreach to more senior centers across Orange County and translate their Connections Kit into Spanish and Arabic to serve diverse communities.
“I am beyond thrilled to be a part of this life-changing program and so grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a cause that will make a real difference. Being accepted into the Dragon Kim Fellowship is a chance to turn our project goals into a reality. This program has the potential to create a ripple effect of positive change, with each project contributing to a better world. With Dragon Kim’s mentorship and guidance, I am confident that our project will play a key role in this collective impact, and I am excited to see how we can help shape the world into a better place.” said Isabella Strickland-Martinez.
At the culmination of the fellowship, the top teams will present their initiatives at the Dragon Challenge, with one team receiving additional funding to further their impact.
“We congratulate Isabella, Kayla, and Alice on their selection,” said Daniel Kim, Board Chairman of the Dragon Kim Foundation. “We are excited to see how their project will bring attention to an important issue and create lasting change.”
CLICK HERE to learn more about the Dragon Kim Foundation.
CLICK HERE to read an article Isabella Strickland-Martinez had published in the LA Times High School Insider.