An all-new nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people feel more comfortable in their skin launched last year in Diamond Bar High School. Project Blush is dedicated to helping build confidence by providing self-care kits, letters, and hygiene products to encourage people to feel more comfortable in their skin.
Last year, Project Blush’s officers saw that many young students shared a common sentiment: a lack of self-confidence. Aiming to help these unfortunate students who felt confident about themselves, co-presidents Shelby Chang and Sophia Li, as well as current vice president Cynthia Liu decided to step up and deliver messages of encouragement.
“We decided to start an organization that provides our audience with essential resources and motivation for them to take care of their physical well-being and boost their confidence,” said Liu. “Ultimately creating a more inclusive society.”
Even though the organization was established only a year ago, they have already made significant strides in achieving their goals. In under a year, its leadership has gathered over $1000 in less than a year, delivering over 100 packages of hygiene products such as face masks and toothbrushes to places like Chino Neighborhood Home.
Of course, Project Blush’s rapid growth has led to some problems, but its officers have worked to address these issues. One of the questions that has persisted throughout Project Blush’s existence is how it could grow and maintain student engagement.
“Because Project Blush heavily relies on fundraisers that could be managed by the officer board, we noticed that our members rarely had any opportunities to contribute to our purpose,” Liu said. “Through the creation of a variety of new events, we were able to increase member participation.”
In the future, Project Blush plans on expanding even more from what it already is. They hope to create workshops throughout the country, educating children on the importance of helping the unfortunate. It has already seen great success in its marketing and outreach, holding sales at Food Fairs and after-school events, as well as fostering a quickly growing Instagram following.
In addition, they have also extended their operations to other high schools, expanding to three branches at Troy, Walnut, and Brea Olinda high schools, as well as 4 other chapters outside of California.
“I am very proud of what we have accomplished and hope that we are able to exponentially develop even more every year,” Liu said.
Throughout the entire experience, officers say that the most rewarding part of the process is seeing how quickly the organization has grown, from recruiting officers to expanding across the United States. From the beginning, everyone has worked tirelessly to ensure Project Blush receives the attention and success it deserves.
“My favorite part about Project Blush was watching the board develop Project Blush into something meaningful that positively impacted the community,” Liu said. From the very beginning of the project to now, officers have grown from familiarizing themselves with club procedures to expanding the club nationally.”
