Troy: Born and Raised

Step on Poverty's board is currently comprised of five students from Troy High School, Athens High School, and International Academy East of Troy, Michigan. They represent diverse backgrounds and mindsets. When together, these five lead Step on Poverty with poise and expertise. As the second board of the organization, they seek to propagate a threshold that will challenge future generations to surpass their incredible legacy.

Michael Lin

Executive Director

Focus: Debate, Action, Results

My passion is problem solving. Naturally, this led me to become a member of Model United Nations early in high school. I admired how veteran members developed effective speaking skills and advanced negotiating abilities. Throughout my years as a member, every conference improved my diplomatic acumen. However, as I grew as a student, I realized that all of my knowledge could be used for practical application. I did research, and ventured out into the local community.

I started my endeavors with local nonprofits in order to challenge the legitimacy of my abilities. Within the micro-nonprofits that I joined, I was able to assist with a few tasks that made operations more efficient, but something seemed awry. As I attempted to push the organization further, I always encountered slight resistance. Unfortunately, many of these organizations were well established and were therefore rather risk averse. My analysis of the situation caused me to ponder possible solutions. I thought about stalwart change, but it seemed rather impractical.

​This is the time that I was approached by Nolan Felicidario and what would be our future Board of Directors. Their plans to start a nonprofit from scratch made sense. In such a youthful and ambitious state, our organization would be like a fresh garage startup: there was no need to be risk averse. Within the organization, I am able to lead with diplomatic brilliance. As in Model United Nations, we start with rough and myopic solutions, but with innovative insights and thorough discussion, these solutions become the foundation for our Initiatives.

Step on Poverty has given me the opportunity to use my talents in a way that improves our communities, one step at a time.

Dhruv Garg

Executive Director​

Focus:  Efficiency, Growth, Advance 

I have always struggled to find my identity. I never knew what I was meant to be, what I was meant to do, or who I really was. I always saw how so many people knew who they were. They knew their passions and they knew what they wanted to accomplish in life. I didn’t. I wasn’t really sure what it was that I loved and had passion for. I never was very sure of what I wanted to accomplish with my life. Now, a lot of you are probably expecting me to say something along the lines of, “Then I discovered that SOP was my passion and what I wanted to do in my life” right about now. What I am going to say however is that I discovered my passion to be the ability to make change, with or without SOP. ​

When I first learned of Step On Poverty, the most fascinating thing was not the complex system in place to collect shoes efficiently or how high school students were organizing a full non-profit organization by themselves. The most fascinating element to me was the ability to make change. Real change. This wasn’t donating a couple dollars online to a charity that runs TV ads. This wasn’t putting in your spare change at a grocery store into the small donation bins. This was legitimate, real change. The work that SOP was and is doing is going to change people’s lives. Kids in third world countries are going to have legitimately better lives because of SOP. For some kids, they will be able to put on shoes for the first time in their life. For some kids, they will no longer have to feel the earth on their feet every single day. For some kids, they will no longer have cut up and bruised feet. Smiles will be brought to children's faces when they learn they are going to have shoes for the first time. So, my only thought after realizing this was: how do I help? If an organization has the ability to change lives for the better, how do I join?

Obviously, I joined immediately and now am helping SOP make the change it is capable of. If anybody is interested in making change and is as passionate for it as I, then SOP is the place to be.

Maheem Syed

Director of Economics & Education

Focus: Intelligence, Structural Design, Sustainability

Where do I even begin? The amount of educational concepts contained within this very organization is more whelming than what meets the superficial glance. Although my fellow board members will talk about generosity, success, and inspiration, I see an extravagant system. Step on Poverty’s nonprofit structure is a tasteful combination of economics, politics, philosophy, environmental science, business, etcetera. Why is economic pragmatism important? How does a nonprofit survive under the authority of students? Is the “best” interest the “right” interest? Why is self sustainability important? How do we generate funds? All of these questions were answered in order to properly develop a cerebral and adaptive corporate culture. There is so much to extrapolate from the mere structure of this organization.

I have grown up my entire life with a passion for learning; however, my purposes were solely intrinsic. I would continuously read books, solve math problems, and recreate science experiments. 
The urge to leave a positive legacy in my community has always been a major motivating factor of mine. This need is what caused me to branch out and discover Step On Poverty. From this organization, I have been able to immerse myself into the community in a new and original manner while simultaneously having my voice heard.
My identity has always played a large role in shaping my personality. Coming from a Pakistani-American Muslim family, I was constantly focused on learning about the rich traditions and beliefs held in that part of the world. A common theme in all of these teachings has been the importance of helping and supporting my neighbors. And that is what we are accomplishing through our numerous initiatives at Step On Poverty.
Since my realization, I help founded Step on Poverty to satiate my fervor for academic stimulation. Within this organization, I am given the opportunity to apply all of my knowledge in extremely beneficial ways. With insights from each specialized board member, we develop these complex systems so that the Step on Poverty ideology may succeed even after the departure of its original founders. This is the beginning of a beautifully intellectual system and I am proud to be a part of it.

Cindy Xiong

Public Relations Officer

Focus: Entrepreneurship, Volunteerism, Leadership

The first time I participated in a Step on Poverty event was one of their first shoe packing events from the previous school year. When I first walked in, I was a timid girl who met an entire sea of unfamiliar faces. Since then, I have befriended many people that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet otherwise. Step on Poverty provided me with many opportunities to expand my leadership skills, social skills, and to share my ideas. I have grown in many ways since joining this club which has helped me in my other endeavors. The leadership skills I have gained have helped me with my position as Vice President of my piano club. On a less direct scale, the interpersonal skills I have developed through speaking with clients have improved my ability to converse with adults in the daily life.

    This club has provided me with an opportunity to grow as a person and develop my ideas which help improve the community.

Puja Kumar

Secretary

Focus: Organization, Membership Uplift, Filmography

If there is anything that I have learned from my many siblings, it is that results are necessary. When one of my baby sisters begged for food, she would not be satisfied until she was given sustenance, and even then, the meal had to fit her preference. We could prepare a grandeur feast for a regular evening, yet it was guaranteed that one or more of my baby siblings would still be unsatisfied due to the slightest error in something as minute as slippery utensils. Although many would see this as parental torture, this was my version of “character building” as a child.

When our team for Step on Poverty was assembled, I assumed the role of Secretary. As a well-developed perfectionist, I took pleasure in archiving detailed notes and creating practical agendas. As a fresh startup, I understood that the nonprofit desperately needed an organizing force during its period of infancy. Just like my siblings, Step on Poverty needs to be reared properly in order to be successful in the future.

However, this does not only include structural organization, rearing also considers the uplift of each individual member. Even the slightest error in something as minute as a volunteer’s irresponsibility could negatively influence the entire operation. Therefore, I have spearheaded the development of intra-mentorship programs that are currently responsible for the improvement of member performance. Although this is incredible progress, there is always room for more improvement.

Step on Poverty is like a child to me. Although I am still a student, I have treated this organization like kin. Based on the success of my siblings and myself, I believe that our nonprofit has a bright future ahead.