Meet the Team Behind: Project 351

Project 351 empowers young people to become community leaders through service, leadership development, and civic engagement, learning to lead a lifetime of positive change. Learn more about their work here!

Can you tell me about the need for your work?

Young people have tremendous potential to make a difference, but they don’t always have access to the resources, mentors, and opportunities that allow them to turn that potential into action. Project 351 was created to invest in young people and give them meaningful ways to serve their communities. We focus especially on unsung heroes and quiet leaders, who are students demonstrating kindness, compassion, humility, and a commitment to helping others. By connecting young people from communities across Massachusetts, we help them build confidence, develop leadership skills, and discover the impact they can have.

What does the Ambassador program entail?

Each year, educators select an eighth-grade Ambassador from every one of Massachusetts’ 351 cities and towns. Ambassadors participate in a year of service, leadership development, and community building, beginning with Launch & Service Day in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. Throughout the year, they take part in leadership training and lead service projects in their own hometowns. Our statewide campaigns include Spring Service in support of Cradles to Crayons, our 9/11 Tribute Service honoring military members, veterans, first responders, and families of the fallen, and a fall campaign addressing hunger through support for local food pantries.

What happens after the Ambassador year?

The Ambassador year is just the beginning. Participants are invited to join our Alumni community and continue developing as leaders throughout high school and beyond. Alumni serve as mentors, team leaders, and regional coaches for younger Ambassadors while continuing to lead service projects of their own. This creates a cycle where young people who were once mentored become mentors themselves, helping each new class discover its own capacity to make a difference.

Can you tell me about your reach?

Since Project 351 began in 2011, nearly 6,000 eighth-grade Ambassadors have participated in our programs, representing every city and town in Massachusetts. Together, they have positively impacted more than 1.6 million neighbors and supported more than 220 nonprofit partners. Our goal is not only to meet immediate community needs, but to develop a generation of compassionate, community-first leaders who carry a commitment to service into college, their careers, and the rest of their lives.