Gathering to Celebrate Community
On Saturday, January 10, 2026, the Alive Center in Naperville was filled with donors, alumni, board members, interns, volunteers, staff, and community partners for our Donor & Alumni Appreciation Event. This event was a chance to reconnect and reflect on the people and programs that continue to shape Alive’s impact.
At its core, Alive has always been about people, teens finding belonging, adults showing up with care, and a community willing to invest in growth and possibility. Simply said, this event was a reminder that none of that happens alone.
Recognizing This Year’s Award Recipients
One of the most meaningful moments of the evening was honoring three award recipients whose work stood out over the past year.
Intern of the Year: Addison Chou
Addison was recognized for her thoughtful and lasting contributions to Alive’s growth behind the scenes. During her internship, she worked closely with the Come Alive Institute to support the rollout of Alive’s franchising model, helping lay the foundation for future expansion into new communities. She also created the framework for Alive’s vCRM donor engagement workflow, strengthening how Alive builds and sustains relationships with our supporters. Addison’s work reflected both strategic thinking and a deep understanding of Alive’s mission.
Volunteer of the Year: Harsha Nandhakumar
Harsha’s connection to Alive spans several years, and his presence has become a steady constant at the Naperville Center. From leading clubs and programs like Dungeons & Dragons, to guiding teens during Drop-In, to welcoming prospective donors in through center tours, Harsha’s commitment shows up in many forms. His consistency, patience, and genuine care are a powerful example of how long-term volunteer engagement can shape a community.
Teen Initiative Program of the Year: Senior Simulators
This year’s Teen Initiative Program of the Year was awarded to Senior Simulators, a teen-led program created by Sidharth Brahmandam, Debabandya Dash, and Lukas Keane. The program uses virtual reality technology to bring immersive experiences, such as travel, art, and cultural exploration, to seniors living in assisted living facilities. Developed through Alive’s Teen Advisory Board, Senior Simulators reflects Alive’s teen-led, teen-driven model and the meaningful ways teens can create connection and impact across generations. Senior Simulators In Action
Voices That Brought Alive’s Impact to Life
In addition to award recognition, this event included reflections from speakers who shared what Alive has meant to them at different points in their lives. Executive Director Amanda McMillen and Founder and CEO Kandice Henning spoke to Alive’s mission, growth, and the importance of community support in sustaining this work.
Guests also heard from former Alive alum Aliza Akhter, who reflected on the lasting influence Alive continues to have beyond her teen years. Naperville Teen Advisory Board Vice President Debabandya Dash shared his perspective as a current teen leader, and Abby May, founder of Kits4Kids and a Teen Service Launchpad partner, spoke to the power of youth-led service and partnership. Together, their reflections highlighted the many ways Alive creates space for teens to feel seen, supported, and empowered.
With Gratitude
This event was made even more welcoming thanks to the generosity of Belgio’s Catering and DeEtta’s Bakery, who provided food and desserts for our guests to enjoy as they connected and celebrated together.
Most of all, the Donor & Alumni Appreciation Event served as a reminder that Alive’s impact is built collectively, through the dedication of interns, the consistency of volunteers, the creativity of teen leaders, and the generosity of our donors and partners. Needless to say, we are so grateful to everyone who continues to be part of the Alive community and the work ahead.