Generously supported by Jessica and Adam Hirsch, alongside the UJA-JCC Greenwich, the Teen Changemakers program exemplifies the power of young people to create meaningful change. Now in its fourth year, this dynamic experience has ignited a passion for philanthropy and social impact among high school students in grades 9-12. Under the leadership of Cori SaNogueira, Chief Program Officer, and Mark Feller, a Teen Educator renowned for his quick thinking and strong rapport with participants, Teen Changemakers has become a cornerstone of UJA-JCC Greenwich’s programming.

A Diverse Group of Future Leaders
The program has seen tremendous growth, with 39 participants–many of whom returners–coming together from a mix of private and public schools, including one Jewish Day School student. The diverse group connects every multiple times a month for two-hour sessions, which feature engaging breakout groups, thoughtful discussions, and collaborative learning. This year, Teen Changemakers is part of the iGive 2024-2025 cohort, continuing to grow and impact the community.

A New Approach to Grantmaking
A key highlight of the program is the granting process. In previous years, the participants would first work through the Changemakers curriculum and then focus on their grantmaking later in the program. But this year, a new approach has been introduced. RFPs (Requests for Proposals) were sent out early, giving the teens ample time to meet with Israeli organizations over Zoom and conduct virtual site visits. The experience has been eye-opening. “It is not an easy process to see so many worthwhile organizations in need,” says SaNogueira. “It’s fulfilling, but the students are incredibly motivated to give–especially when it comes to Israel.”

Empowering Youth to Fund Impactful Causes
The program is also notable for the students’ desire to help as many organizations as possible. With 10 Israeli organizations (or their supporters) to fund, the participants have set a goal of raising $40,000–doubled with a $20,000 match. They began their fundraising efforts on Sunday, February 23, 2025, and have already raised over $100,000 in the first three years. The energy, commitment, and generosity of these young philanthropists is inspiring.

Looking Toward the Future
Mark Feller shares a vision for the future of Teen Changemakers: “I’d love for the group to feel more like a classic youth group, with increased socialization and deeper discussions between participants. I believe we could split the cohort by grade level or groups of grades to create a space for critical thinking and fun, social interactions.”
The program’s growth and success have been built on a strong foundation. The Honeycomb Changemakers curriculum has been a crucial starting point for the program, and over time, SaNogueira has customized it to fit the needs of UJA-JCC Greenwich’s participants. The curriculum, combined with SaNogueira’s experience and vision, has turned Teen Changemakers into a key offering for the community.
“Without Honeycomb’s curriculum,” SaNogueira says, “it would not be possible to create this program as we know it today.”

A Program that Inspires
Now, the program has become a beloved and eagerly anticipated part of UJA-JCC Greenwich, with both the board and community asking regularly about the teens’ progress. As Teen Changemakers continues to thrive, one thing is clear: the next generation of philanthropists is ready to make their mark and create lasting change.