Star Power: Caroline LaRusso-Leung

Meet Service Star Caroline LaRusso-Leung, 12, who volunteers for the Brooklyn Service Collective, in Brooklyn, New York. TFK Kid Reporter Axel Foster spoke with Caroline about her efforts.

What is the Brooklyn Service Collective?

It’s an organization that arranges community service projects for kids and families who want to volunteer.

How did you get involved?

I really liked helping my mom with activities in our community. I looked into opportunities for kids and found the service collective. I signed up for their weekly after-school program.

What projects have you done with them?

We have worked a lot with CHiPS, a soup kitchen in Park Slope, Brooklyn. We make breakfast or dinner and deliver it to CHiPS, which then takes the meals to people who don’t have enough food. We also set up dinners for refugee families.

What’s your favorite memory from your community service?

Making bouquets of flowers for people who were housebound or didn’t have family or friends nearby.

What do you see as the biggest need right now, and how do you think young people can work to meet it?

Food insecurity is something I’ve seen a lot of people struggle with. Young people can start by having a community fridge and making sandwiches to stock it.

What advice do you have for other young people looking to get involved?

There are many ways you can get involved. You can start small by asking your teacher if they need help with anything at school. It doesn’t have to be big.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.