The mission of Care And Smiles is to ‘Give Back to the Community'
Today, we are consumed with ourselves 24x7 – my life, my activities, my ambition, my achievements, my family - chasing the dreams at speeds that have mentally and physically exhausted us to think beyond.
‘Pause for a Cause’, is the call to all families and friends, corporates, businesses, individuals and the community at large to take a pause in their ultra-high paced lives and look back, give back to their not so fortunate fellow beings who are faced with unimaginable living challenges as they may not have a family, maybe are orphaned, homeless, diseased, underprivileged or less abled.
Together we can - we believe our volunteering activities can help change the lives of a few people suffering from hunger, illnesses and poverty.
Dr. Rishita Jaju
A Board Certified Pediatric Dentist, is the founding Dentist of SmileWonders in Reston, VA. She completed her dental education at Harvard School of Dental Medicine in Boston. MA and continued to receive specialty training in Pediatric Dentistry at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC where she was appointed as the Chief Resident. She is the only pediatric dentists in the Mid-Atlantic region who has achieved Advanced Laser Proficiency Certification from the Academy of Laser Dentistry and Breastfeeding Specialist Certification.
Dr. Rishita gives back to her profession and patient community. She is selected on the Council of Clinical Affairs for American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and Examination Committee of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Each year Smile Wonders participates in Give Kids a Smile initiative by American Dental Association to provide free care for children of Northern Virginia.
Shreyaa Venkat
Shreyaa Venkat is the co-founder and CEO of NEST4US and a sophomore at Georgetown University pursuing Global Health studies. As a Points of Light Youth Network Leader, Giving Tuesday Spark Chapter Head, Good Deeds Day Ambassador, UN CSW66 Delegate, Clinton Global University Initiative Mentor, & Global Peace Delegate, she empowers people globally to actively shape their future and thrive in an ever-changing world.
Shreyaa is an academic honor roll student, travel soccer player, 3rd degree black belt, certified soccer referee, Kathak dancer, and assistant martial arts instructor. As a Gen-Z social activist and nonprofit leader, she advances dialogue and inspires others to take action towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals in local, national, and global communities.
Esha Venkat
Esha Venkat is the co-founder and COO of NEST4US and a 16-year-old junior at Broad Run High School. Esha's commitment to volunteering inspires countless other youth to fight for causes they believe in. According to her, you don't have to be an adult, have a job, have any special skills, or even be a superhero to make a positive impact on someone's life!
In addition to being a Straight A honor roll student, Esha finds time to play piano, earn her 3rd degree black belt, work as a certified soccer referee, enjoy hip-hop and Kathak, teach martial arts as an assistant instructor, and serve as the captain of her travel soccer team. In addition to being a Points of Light Youth Council Leader, Giving Tuesday Spark Chapter Head, Global Peace Delegate, and Good Deeds Day Ambassador, Esha is also a board member of several clubs and organizations.
Karen Thomas Swann
Ms. Karen is a HIV counsellor and housing specialist with Baltimore Mayors Office Homeless Services (MOHS) at Project Plase. Additionally, she works at the Cherry Hill Family Health Center for HIV patients and manages a grant from John Hopkins. She manages the United Way Program single women and families. She has been doing Human services since 1999 and is a fulltime social worker. In the past, she supported ex-convicts who were suffering from substance abuse, mental health and provided them housing and care.
Ms. Karen is a single mom pushing her son to Engineering college, is a foodie and loves cooking and catering (has her own K’s Kusiene catering services) and wants to start her own food truck to cater and bring food to the people out there!
Manisha Jain
Works in the fashion and textile industry for more than a decade in the New York area. She grew up in India and came to the USA to follow her dream to study and work in the fashion industry. Besides being ardent about her day job, as a Sr Product manager, she is very passionate about getting involved and helping different nonprofit organizations like FFE (Foundation for Excellence) funding scholarships for young adults and mentoring youth. Another Organization she works with is AIF (American India Foundation), supporting and improving the lives of the underprivileged, with a special focus on women, children, and youth in rural India.
Additionally, in her spare time, she also works with community centers to cook and serve food, and other volunteer organizations like Care and Smiles to support and raise funds for winter essentials like warm clothes and essential items families can use.