Sheena always wanted create change in not only her community, but beyond. She began as a teacher cadet in her senior year of high school, where she saw children could be going through much more than what is visible. As an older sister, she felt that. The strain of watching two young children, making them food, worrying about her grandparents, and trying to study for exams while showing up with a smile to every class, event, and club meeting. Before she began urging for change, she went to her parents' home country, India. Sheena saw many children had zero access to food or water much less textbooks or formal schooling, and only then did she come to realize that the world is much bigger than her privileged life was.

Just a few months after her trip to India, she pulled out her laptop, came up with a name, filed an Articles of Incorporation, and began filing a 501(c)(3) status application. There were many definite obstacles, but Sheena kept going. She built a team of almost 40 individuals including volunteers, officers, and board members within three weeks right from the comfort of her bedroom. Sheena says, "I want to be the cause for change, surpporting the educational journeys of hundreds accross the globe." She wants to share her message with thousands of youth, future volunteers, and other people who don't think it's possible.

In chemistry, a catalyst is a substance that causes a reaction to speed up. This nonprofit organization, founded in 2026 by Sheena Patel, aims to be just that: a substance the causes the reaction that is a child's educational journey to speed up. Education stretches beyond demographics, and Sheena founded this organization to create a platform for children in underserved communities, specifically in STEAM and literacy.

Beyond who she wanted help, Sheena wanted to empower youth. PCY is an organizaion entirely run by youth, from ages 10-25. Every volunteer, officer, and ambassador is a young person serving their communities. PCY is led by youth for youth, and that is what truly empowers us to keep going.