Charlotte Stant

Charlotte Stant – New Jersey
Interview by Inspiring Teens Team
Nomination and Photography by
​Jenn Morris Photography
Issue 39 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
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​The Nomination: Three weeks into the quarantine, Charlotte Stant received a text from a local councilwoman explaining that there were immigrant families starving in Red Bank. Secondary to COVID exposure, these families were unable to access services provided by local food banks.
Charlotte made a flyer asking people to drop off food to her house. After delivering the inaugural meals to 25 families, she decided to apply for non-profit status. Since March, Charlotte and her 20 weekly teen volunteers have provided over 68,000 meals and served 56 families. Charlotte was also just named a Brawny Giant for her community service during the pandemic.

Photography by Jenn Morris Photography

​Tell me about the text message that started this whole endeavor and where you went from there.
Risa Clay is a councilwoman and former principal of a local high school. When she discovered that there were families who needed assistance applying for a grant application and only spoke Spanish, she immediately texted me and asked me to help because she knew of my ability to speak the language. I started making phone calls to families to assist her in getting applications filled out.

How did you get everyone to help you so quickly and in such abundance when pretty much everything was shut down, and how it quickly started your nonprofi, Companeros?
I spent 5-8 hours a day working all the logistics out. Fundraising was the biggest challenge in the beginning, especially as the list of families who needed help kept growing. We created an Instagram account and made posts every week to involve the community. I also created a GoFundMe and asked others to post links on their Facebook accounts. I emailed my Spanish teacher who spread the word to the school and the Spanish Honor Society. The Key Club offered community service hours for each food donation given to Companeros. That was a great incentive since students had nowhere else to volunteer. As of this month we have served over 70,000 meals and assisted 74 families. The majority of the volunteers go to Rumson Fair Haven High School with me.

Photography by Jenn Morris Photography

What does it mean to be a Mobile Mexican Consulate?
The Mobile Mexican Consulate is an organization that assists Mexican citizens with filling out their US citizenship applications as well as applying for passports. I served as a translator for Consulate. I also helped fill out cards explaining what to do if they were to come into contact with ICE. Many of the community members were extremely fearful.

Photography by Jenn Morris Photography

Why did you want an internship with Senator Gopal, and how did you go about getting it? What are your primary responsibilities?
I am interested in the legislative process and the internship provided me with the perfect opportunity to deep dive into my passion for policy. I applied online and was interviewed before I was notified that I was accepted as an intern. Instead of finishing after the summer, I decided to continue my internship into the fall. Some of my primary responsibilities for the job include drafting social media posts for each of the legislators as well as conducting extensive policy research. I have also been tasked with drafting talking points for various bills to be presented in congressional hearings.

Photography by Jenn Morris Photography

Tell us more about your jobs as a dance instructor and certified yoga teacher! Both sound exciting!
I started teaching dance in the beginning of my junior year to marginalized children at my local Salvation Army. Sadly, COVID regulations have closed the dance program, but as soon as we are cleared to gather again, I will be the lead teacher. I absolutely love teaching kids and really was able to see the impact that dancing had on their character development and overall mood. I decided to pursue my 200 hour yoga teacher training the summer between my sophomore and junior years with Bodhi Yoga Academy.

Tell us about these Brawny Paper Towel Pictures.
In June, Lynette Sylvestri, a community member who was following the Instagram posts about my non-profit Compañeros de Comida, saw an ad from Brawny Paper Towels about a new campaign called “Giants Take Action”.  According to senior director of brand building at Brawny, Katie Kolesky, “The Brawny Giants Initiative celebrates and supports the strength demonstrated by individuals who are taking action during the pandemic”.  Ms. Sylvestri believed that I had the characteristics of a local hero.On July 22nd, I was notified that I was a finalist for the campaign.  I was then called by a representative from Brawny who interviewed me about my mission, statistics and operational expenses.  The next week, I was texted by the advertising agency Joan and informed that I was selected out of 7000 nominees, and that I would receive a $3000 grant for my non-profit as well as 900 Brawny paper towels to share with my families.  I will also be featured in the Brawny Giant ad campaign through print, social media and television spots over the next two years.

Look for Charlotte in issue 39 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

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click here for more information on issue 39

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