The Village Project, San Francisco

The Village Project, a nonprofit organization, opened in 2006, taking its name from the axiom that it takes a village to raise a child. Founder Adrian Williams and a dedicated team of volunteers band together to create a safe learning environment for children and their families living in public and co-op housing. The Village Project's specialized afterschool and summer programs aim to invest kids with more self-confidence and a better understanding of the world. Individual tutoring sessions help strengthen youngsters' academic abilities, and free lessons on art, sports, healthy cooking, and music expand minds. Fueled mainly by donations and volunteer work, the grassroots organization also supports their mission by hosting charitable events, such as their annual Mardi Gras San Francisco Style party and a yearly Kwanzaa celebration.