Teens with Heartsongs launched in 2020 during COVID19 to support Children's National Hospital's Family Housing Program and provide leadership opportunities for high school students. Nearly 1,000 students from more than 60 DC Metro area high schools, both public and private, have participated in several education sessions, completed multiple team fundraisers and individual outreach, and together we have raised over $700,000! This effort has successfully solved the housing crisis the Hospital experienced and now patients and their families can stay together in times of crisis via an endowment that was created in 2025 by the students participating in the Teens with Heartsongs Leadership Program. 

 

Teens with Heartsongs empowers teens with essential life skills, an introduction to philanthropy, and the experience of building meaningful community. Through compassionate action and purpose-driven fundraising, these young leaders make a direct impact on the lives of hundreds of children and families each year at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. With the housing problem solved with adequate funds to support temporary housing and transportation costs for patients' families, the program now supports hospital-based initiatives that provide comfort items during unexpected stays and healing through creative therapies like music and art. With every effort, Teens with Heartsongs brings hope, relief, and joy to those facing medical challenges—proving that even the youngest changemakers can make a lasting difference. Email info@teenswithheartsongs.org for additional information.

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TESTIMONIALS​

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"Heartsongs is the best organization I have worked with in terms of character building and skill development for high schoolers. The skills I developed in communication, leadership, collaboration, and project vision are skills that I will forever carry with me. It it my true belief that Heartsongs has had the most consequential impact on my high school career, and the admissions officers at [The University of] Michigan agreed when they called me to express the importance they saw in the commitment to public service that Heartsongs brings. I will be forever grateful for all that I have learned working with you. They explained that it was Heartsongs that drew them to my application. Heartsongs has the possibility to do for every student what it did for me - instill a commitment to public service."

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Zain Ahmed, TWH Student Director 2021​​

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"My role as Director of the Board this year has been an incredibly meaningful experience. Thank you so much for mentoring me and trusting me to guide the program. Watching us reach our goal in the last few minutes was a highlight, and I'll never forget the feeling of seeing hundreds of people uniting for a greater cause. Teens with Heartsongs embodies everything I hope to cultivate in my personal life."

 

Jinara Weerakoon, TWH Student Director 2023 

 

"I just wanted to express all my infinite gratitude for this incredible program and the great leaders of it! Thank you so much for all your commitment and dedication to the cause of supporting all the families at Children’s National, and by putting fundraisers out there to support this group! It has been so wonderful to work in this marvelous program! I have learned about outreach and really expanded my horizons by reaching out to different people and the most wonderful thing was the fact that we helped so many families while doing so! The experiences from this year have been so invaluable. My favorite part of our meetings was learning about children and families who really benefited from the Heartsongs program."

 

Antonella Foschi, 2023 Team Leader Centreville High School​

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"My name is Jacey Spratt and my son, Benjamin Spratt (Walter Johnson - Grade 9) completed the program. I just want to reiterate what an awesome and meaningful experience it was for him; he truly got a ton out of it including the tour of Children's Hospital a couple of weeks ago. He is so lucky to be getting such great experiences so early on in his high school career. I know he wants to continue being involved next year. Grateful for all you do for Children's Hospital and of course for these kids."

 

Jacey Spratt, Benjamin's Mom​

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"I can't express how important the housing program was to our family! My daughter spent 3 months at the Hospital and we had nowhere to stay being from out of town. The cost of a hotel would have been incredibly burdensome for us. Our family is so grateful to the Teens with Heartsongs program. We don't know what we would have done without you! Thank you!"

 

Grateful Children's Hospital Family 

 

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