© Photo Courtesy of NEST4US
Like most modern teenagers, siblings Shreyaa and Esha Venkat are passionate about creating a better tomorrow for the future generation. But unlike other solutions-focused sister-teams, these two are going the extra mile.
They started NEST4US, a non-profit organization dedicated to working with communities to create volunteer and leadership opportunities for young people. NEST, which stands for Newer Environment Starts Today, aims to empower the younger generation to integrate kindness, generosity, and social good into their daily lives.
“We have a great passion for volunteering and community service,” says 19-year-old Shreyaa Venkat, CEO and co-founder of NEST4US. “Our goal is to create a ripple of kindness that spreads across the nation and eventually, throughout the globe.”
The non-profit, formed as a philanthropic platform built upon kindness, generosity, and social good, works to address societal issues, placing a significant focus on over 14 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals including global hunger, climate change, quality education, poverty, sustainability, women’s empowerment, equity, and more.
“We started off our initial volunteering helping at schools, libraries, and community events, as well as at senior homes and by tutoring kids,” shares 16-year-old co-founder and COO Esha. “We’re also board members of several organizations, where we provide a wide range of volunteer opportunities. But serving solo wasn’t our plan. We really wanted our friends and community to get involved, so we formed NEST4US as a platform for giving back to the community in a multitude of ways. We want to to empower the next generation of compassionate youth to integrate kindness, generosity, and social good into their routine.”
That goal has been the driving force behind NEST4US’ impressive impact. Through five core programs, their team of 3,000+ volunteers have contributed over 1.3 million dollars in value of volunteer hours and impacted tens of thousands in 27 countries across six continents.
“Our organization focuses on three key issues in the community: food insecurity, lack of motivation to volunteer with a passion, and diversity and inclusion,” Shreyaa continues. “Through social media platforms, we serve as advocates for positive change in the community and promote diversity and inclusion by welcoming people of all backgrounds to our volunteer family.”
A sought-after speaker and award-winning philanthropist, Shreyaa has empowered thousands through presentations at global conferences and summits. Shreyaa was recently recognized as the Inaugural 2021 America250 Community Champion Award Honoree for her philanthropic work at NEST4US. America250, the nationwide commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026 led by the U.S.
Semiquincentennial Commission, celebrates American heroes who exemplify the intangible qualities of the American spirit and spotlight those who exhibit heroism, unity, justice, tranquillity, valour, and equality, and advance and uphold the freedoms first forged in the founding promise of America.
As Points of Light Youth Network Leaders, Giving Tuesday Spark Chapter Heads, Be Strong Global Representatives, Good Deeds Day Ambassadors, Civics Unplugged Fellows, DoSomething Research Council Representatives, and Global Peace Delegates, the sister duo empowers people worldwide to shape their future through engagement in global service movements—and it shows. NEST4US has impacted tens of thousands of people across the globe through providing volunteers for community events, rescuing and donating 650,000+ pounds of food (equivalent to $1,124,500 in meal value) and partnering with a large network of shelters and food banks.
On top of that, NEST4US encourages small acts of kindness—things like donating books, creating kindness notes, and assembling blessing bags for the less fortunate. As the sisters like to say, “a little kindness goes a long way.”
