CHANGE AFICIONADO - GLOBAL ADVOCATE
Jared J. Makheja is a passionate and driven high school senior, who is a transformational leader, versatile communicator and writer, global advocate for positive change, and social entrepreneur, with a deep passion and curiosity for the sociological perspectives on poverty.
Makheja spends a lot of time dedicated to projects outside of school. Known for prioritizing passion over pedagogy, his activities were always serving a higher purpose of helping others. While he has never longed for what the impoverished have longed for and he has never struggled with dyslexia, Makheja has always had compassion for those in need, which is what led him to start the organization The Elevator Project, and write the book, Unlock Dyslexia: A Comprehensive Workbook, to help those applying to The Elevator Project with special needs.
These skills and work ethic have additionally enabled Makheja to successfully pursue his entrepreneurial vision for The Elevator Project, a nonprofit to lift those in need out of poverty through apprenticeship programs, vocational training, and soft skill training opportunities. Leading operations, raising funds, engaging partners and supporting applicants, Makheja is also orchestrating the development and implementation of the organization's Affordable Housing Program. Makheja continues to expand the organization and further its outreach to the community.
His book, Unlock Dyslexia: A Comprehensive Workbook, is a neuro strengthening tool to help those with dyslexia regain the neural pathways they may be lacking by focusing on the three major aspects of dyslexia: auditory learning, visual learning, and spatial perception. The book was intended to help those specifically in The Elevator Project's Special Needs Program, but Makheja decided to publish the book and allow all dyslexics to access this resource by making it available to the public.
Makheja believes that nobody should be left behind in the movement to end poverty and that, as Nelson Mandela once said, "overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice." His combined background has allowed him to become a subject matter advocate, speaking and writing on issues surrounding social justice, affordable housing, special needs, and youth civic engagement.
