ASTORIA, NY –
Theodoros Psahos, a Greek-American raised in Astoria, Queens, is proving that the values of community, service, and mentorship he grew up with in the Greek community are alive and well and reaching a new generation of young New Yorkers.
On Saturday, May 2, Psahos’ nonprofit organization Projekt NYC supported one of its youth leaders, 17-year-old Chelsy Ovilla, as she led a Day of Service in Elmhurst, Queens that mobilized over 30 volunteers from ten New York City high schools and provided food and essential supplies to more than 100 local families facing food insecurity.
Ovilla is one of just 45 young leaders across the country awarded a Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation Youth Grant through Youth Service America (YSA) for her initiative, The Corona Bridge Project. The project was designed, planned, and led entirely by Ovilla with mentorship and organizational support from Projekt NYC, the Queens-based youth development nonprofit Psahos founded and leads as a full-time volunteer, drawing zero salary.
“I grew up in this neighborhood”, said Psahos, whose family roots in the Greek-American community of Queens run deep. “The Greek community taught me that you take care of your neighbors. You show up. You give back. That’s what Projekt NYC is built on the same values I learned growing up here, extended to every young person in this city who needs someone to believe in them”.
Psahos founded Projekt NYC as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving low-income, immigrant, and at-risk youth ages 9–19 across all five NYC boroughs. The organization now serves over 2,500 students annually through programs in creative expression, financial literacy, youth leadership, and civic engagement. Remarkably, no member of the Projekt NYC team — including Psahos — draws a salary. The organization directs 93% of its budget to direct programming for young people.
The Day of Service drew student volunteers from ten high schools: Benjamin N. Cardozo High School (Red Cross Club), John Bowne High School, Middle College High School at LaGuardia, Millennium High School, Professional Performing Arts School, The High School of Fashion Industries, Thomas A. Edison CTE High School, Townsend Harris High School, William Cullen Bryant High School, and St. John’s Preparatory School. Thirty volunteers, including 25 youth, worked across three shifts in partnership with Familia Food Pantry.
Projekt NYC Teen Advisory Council Chair Elsa Lucas was among the volunteers who stood out during the Day of Service, demonstrating exceptional dedication, teamwork, and a strong commitment to serving the community throughout the event.
The Corona Bridge Project is one example of the youth leadership model Psahos has built at Projekt NYC. A model of youth-led community action, in which teens design, plan, and execute real projects that address real needs in their neighborhoods. Rather than adults organizing events for young people to attend, Projekt NYC empowers students to identify community challenges and lead the response themselves.
“In the Greek tradition, we believe in φιλότιµο a love of honor, a drive to give your best for your community,” Psahos said. “That’s what I see in Chelsy. That’s what I see in Elsa. That’s what I see in every one of our students who shows up to serve. They come from dozens of different cultures and backgrounds, but they share that same spirit, the belief that you leave your community better than you found it”.
The Day of Service took place as part of Global Youth Service Day, the longest-running annual youth participation event in the world, now celebrating 38 years of young people working together for the common good.
“Chelsy represents the next generation of civic leaders in Queens,” Psahos added. “She saw families in her community going hungry, and instead of waiting for someone else to act, she built a coalition of ten schools, won a national grant, and served 100 families in a single day. She’s 17 years old. Imagine what she’ll do at 25”.
About Projekt NYC
Projekt NYC is a Queens-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering middle and high school students through creativity, community service, and civic engagement. Serving over 2,500 students annually across all five NYC boroughs, Projekt NYC’s programs include the Teen Voices from the 5 Boros poetry anthology, peer-led financial literacy workshops, a youth-produced Teen Magazine, community service initiatives, and a youth run club. The organization operates entirely on volunteer leadership, with no member drawing a salary, and directs 93% of its budget to direct youth programming. For more information, visit www.projektnyc.org.
About Youth Service America
Youth Service America (YSA) is a leading global nonprofit that activates young people ages 5–25 to find their voice, take action, and acquire powerful civic and 21st Century skills as they solve problems facing their communities. For more information, visit www.YSA.org.
About The Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation
The Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation works with and through partners to help end childhood hunger in the United States because no child should be hungry today or risk being hungry again tomorrow. For more information, visit www.SodexoFoundation.org and www.SodexoUSA.com.
