Project 351 celebrates 15 years of a youth-led movement for change

Yati Tint, an 8th grader at Stacy Middle School, will represent Milford this year in Project 351, a youth-led movement for change powered by an eighth-grade unsung hero and high school Alumni mentors selected to represent every city and town in Massachusetts. It was founded in 2011. 

“We were honored to select Yati Tint as our school’s Ambassador to Project 351,” remarked Dr. Caridad Lopez, Principal of Stacy Middle School. “Yati is a very kind, compassionate, respectful and hardworking student. She is always willing to help others in her class. Her teachers often find her trying to help her peers and walk them through the steps to understand the academic material. Yati was very excited to be selected as Ambassador to grow her skills as a service leader in her community. We are proud of her current accomplishments and looking forward to her further contributions as a model student and leader.” 

On Saturday, Jan. 25, Ambassadors were joined by Governor Maura Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Massachusetts Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler and other community leaders for a day of service and celebration in Boston.

“The young people who serve with Project 351 are great examples of what makes Massachusetts a leader in so many important ways,” said Gov. Healey. “These Ambassadors demonstrate what is possible when we work together to make the changes we all want to see in our own communities. I’m proud to join them as they embark on this important year of leadership and service.”

Project 351, a nonprofit organization, annually unites a class of unsung heroes for a transformative year of leadership development, enrichment, and impact through unifying statewide service campaigns. This year, Project 351 celebrates its 15th year with a collective social impact on more than 1.4 million lives. Project 351’s annual Launch celebration honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King.

 Launch Day kicks off 12 months of leadership development through Alumni mentorship and enrichment through Project 351’s Service Leadership Academy. Through Project 351, Ambassadors develop the skills and confidence to mobilize their hometowns in service campaigns that address critical issues including hunger, clothing insecurity, and educational equity.

On Launch Day, Ambassadors traveled from across the state to convene at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum for a celebratory morning program. The program also included remarks by James Gallagher, General Counsel, John Hancock/Manulife, a founding sponsor. Wearing their signature navy tee, Ambassadors mobilized by Service Hero teams for an afternoon of service at La Colaborativa, Brighton High School, and Cradles to Crayons. In partnership with these community leaders, Ambassador service impacted more than 34,000 neighbors.

“Project 351 is powered by the idealism and ideas of 8th grade change makers,” said Carolyn Casey, Project 351 Founder and Executive Director. “As we welcome our 5,588th Ambassador, we celebrate the transformative good made possible when we unite in common cause. And we uplift the values they stand for – kindness, compassion, and respect for the dignity of all."