Before having the idea of creating Kids First Project, our founder, Alisha Zhao, had the privilege of meeting countless children with the capability of achieving their dreams of becoming an artist, teacher, fitness instructor, and even president, yet were not provided with the resources to help them reach their full potential. After spending years volunteering at local homeless shelters and speaking to families experiencing homelessness, she realized the serious lack of affordable and convenient recreational services for disadvantaged children. The need was clear.

With the support of the Hope For Homeless Club that Alisha created at Lincoln High School in 2013 as well as the ANNpower Fellowship and NCAM Youth Ambassadorship, she was given the resources needed to put her ideas into action.

Alisha was named one of the nation's 10 top teen volunteers for her work with homeless children and teens. The 17-year-old was judged among the 10 most impressive from a field of more than 29,000 youth volunteers.