![Incoming Student Union President junior Aki Bejamin and other SU candidates sitting on stage while waiting to give their speeches during the May 18 SU Debate. Aki said he plans to “burn [the SU] all down and start anew.”](https://thhsclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/IMG_9600-e1782439128607-1200x1131.jpg)
Two Townsend Harris students have launched a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization called SoulSketchCollective to promote the importance of creating safe, comfortable mental health spaces for high school students. The presidents, juniors Vanessa Lee and Michelle Shi, have done the paperwork to create their organization, and are now planning to get the organization up and running with workshops and events designed to gather a safe and comfortable community of students.
The SoulSketchCollective nonprofit idea began during Vanessa and Michelle’s AP Seminar course last school year, as their team’s media presentation on the well-being and exploitation of child performers was one of their inspirations in starting the nonprofit. “We found the underrepresentation of this topic really alarming…so we wanted to work towards something reaching past our research project [and] decided to… launch a community of youth supporting and discussing with one another under a common passion,” said Vanessa.
After planning out the purpose of the nonprofit and organizing the necessary information, Vanessa and Michelle applied as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the help of the Hack Club at THHS. Now, as SoulSketchCollective is officially a 501(c)(3), the presidents both plan on using this title to create valuable experiences for members and other youth, including workshops and resources. “Having this status and leverage will help us carry out our future plans when it comes to fundraising and using that money to donate health supplies and money to those in need,” said Vanessa.
The goal is to reach out to students across the city, including younger students, to build a community of varying perspectives, ages, boroughs, and backgrounds. But according to Michelle, reaching this audience of students requires a thorough representation of SoulSketchCollective through workshops with younger children in many NYC schools. The presidents plan to partner with current THHS clubs, like Key Club and The Starling Press. Michelle said that through Key Club, these workshops can be held and promoted, and through The Starling Press, members of SoulSketchCollective can publish a variety of writing pieces on mental health, confidence, and self-esteem.
Vanessa said that her severe eczema during childhood, which affected her self-confidence, inspired her to work on this nonprofit. Michelle said that her childhood shyness motivated her as well. “Sometimes [being shy] still kicks in. So I feel like building this community is really important for people to bond and find themselves while also healing their mental health, so it’s kind of like a two-in-one,” she said.
Students spoke to The Classic about the importance of prioritizing mental health throughout the school year and amidst ever-increasing academic expectations. “If your mental health isn’t doing well, you’ll struggle to focus, be motivated, and complete assignments…But if your mental health is doing well, then it’s easier to perform your best in class,” said senior Amina Asad.
Sophomore Duha Ahmad said, “Student-led organizations regarding mental health [are] a great way to make the topic [of mental health] more approachable. It’s definitely a lot easier to go up to someone your own age rather than an adult, as your experiences are more aligned.”
While only Vanessa and Michelle are currently planning out future events and connections with the nonprofit, a staff application form was sent out earlier this month, allowing the organization to expand with leadership roles.
Michelle said, “We just hope that SoulSketchCollective will serve as a safe space for youth across the city, and eventually other regions, because all youth deserve these opportunities to heal and drive together.”
