Most teenagers spend their free time on social media or hanging out with friends. Ella Shahbazian started a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. At just 15 years old, she’s leading a youth-led nonprofit that has fed over 100 families annually, delivered hundreds of toys to hospitalized children, and awarded scholarships to students who might otherwise never afford college.
Ella Shahbazian is currently a sophomore studying at Rose and Alex Pilibos School in Hollywood, California. What began as a simple idea has evolved into Ella’s Angels Foundation, an organization built on the principle that small acts of kindness can create lasting change. The foundation operates across California and has extended its reach to cities including Denver and New Haven, Connecticut—proof that compassion doesn’t require a corporate budget or decades of experience.
From Meal Bags to Scholarships
The foundation’s impact is both broad and specific. Through partnerships with Greater Harvest Church in Long Beach, Ella’s Angels runs an annual Thanksgiving Meal Bag Drive that ensures families facing food insecurity can share a holiday meal. The organization’s toy drive benefits Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, bringing joy to kids during some of their hardest days. Clothing collections support Goodwill Industries and local shelters year-round.
But the work extends beyond holiday drives. The Ella’s Angels Scholars Program awards scholarships to students from underserved communities pursuing higher education—whether traditional college or trade school. It’s an investment in futures that might otherwise remain out of reach.
The foundation has also supported animal welfare, donating leashes and care packages to newly adopted dogs at shelters in Burbank and Denver. In collaboration with Yale University’s Homeless Outreach Program, volunteers provided hand-knit beanies and warm items for people experiencing homelessness in New Haven.
Building the Next Generation of Leaders
What makes Ella’s Angels distinctive isn’t just the range of programs—it’s who’s running them. The organization is designed to inspire and empower young people to take the lead in their communities. Through service-learning initiatives, students gain real-world leadership experience while helping others. Parents and teachers use the foundation as a platform for families to volunteer together, modeling empathy across generations.
The foundation has partnered with local adult schools and job fairs to connect over 900 job seekers with 120 employers, helping adults reenter the workforce. It’s a reminder that youth-led doesn’t mean youth-only—the impact touches every age group.
What Comes Next
Ella’s Angels plans to expand statewide and launch chapters in other states, empowering more young leaders to carry the mission forward. The organization aims to increase its annual scholarships to at least 20 awards within three years and grow its volunteer base from dozens to hundreds of active participants.
By 2028, the foundation envisions operating across multiple states and proving that an idea born from the heart of a teenager can change countless lives. The goal is ambitious but grounded in what’s already been accomplished: consistent community service programs that deliver tangible results, one family and one student at a time.
In a world that often feels divided, Ella’s Angels offers a simple reminder—kindness still works, especially when young people are given the chance to lead.
