In a quiet office in Irvine, I read a handwritten thank-you letter that said:
“Your donation helps ensure that a child is prepared with supplies for success during the school year.”
It was one of many messages we received at Fight4Teens, a student-founded start-up based in Irvine with a mission that’s both simple and powerful: to equip underserved students with the tools they need to succeed. What started on February 9, 2024, as a small startup project has since grown into a movement, rooted in the belief that no student should begin the school year unprepared.
Since our founding, we’ve donated over 5,000 items to youth in Irvine and beyond, with a major portion going directly to Families Forward, a respected Irvine-based nonprofit that supports families facing housing insecurity and financial hardship. Every summer, their Back-to-School program provides essential school supplies to K-12 students throughout the region. Through our partnership, we’ve become a key supplier, helping fill backpacks with everything from notebooks and pencils to calculators and folders.
This past year, we delivered hundreds of customized supply kits. Some were for elementary students just learning to write. Others were for high schoolers managing AP classes and chasing college dreams. What united our team was a shared purpose: to give every student a fresh, dignified start to the school year.
Families Forward has repeatedly expressed appreciation for our support. In their official thank-you note, Families Forward wrote: “Your donations help ensure that children are prepared with supplies for success during the school year. Thank you for your compassion and kindness in supporting local families during a challenging time in their lives.”
To me, these aren’t just words of appreciation. They’re affirmations that youth-led work matters. That even while in high school, students like us can take real, measurable action to improve our communities.
What makes Fight4Teens stand out is that it’s powered entirely by students. From organizing supply drives to budgeting, marketing, and coordinating deliveries, everything is student-run. As the founder, I personally oversee each step, committed to both scale and sensitivity.
This was never meant to be a one-time thing. From the beginning, I wanted to show that young people can build something consistent and impactful, and now, every year, we’re expanding. We’re expanding our network of local donors, expanding our inventory, and fostering long-term partnerships with schools and nonprofits. We’ve even implemented a monthly donation cycle with all of our partners to ensure students’ needs are met throughout the year.
With the 2025–2026 school year approaching, we’re ramping up efforts once again. We’re preparing for our biggest donation cycle yet, in collaboration with Families Forward. We’re currently seeking school supply donations, local business sponsors, and volunteers ready to sort and assemble kits.
As I press on in life, I know I’ll look back on Fight4Teens as one of the most meaningful chapters of my journey. It’s taught me that service has no age limit—and that leadership starts with action.
I also hope Fight4Teens inspires other students to act. Every young person has a voice. Every student has the potential to lead. I challenge others to step up, look around, and make a difference, because no matter your age, you can build something that matters.
Hrishi Gopalakrishna is a junior at Portola High School and founder of Fight4Teens. He leads Fight4Teens, a youth-run organization dedicated to equipping underserved students in Orange County with school supplies and resources for academic success.
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