Club Thrive in Joy’s 2025 Winter ESIPs: Spreading Joy Through Entrepreneurial Social Impact

Club Thrive in Joy student leaders across Los Angeles put their creativity, compassion, and entrepreneurial spirit into action through their Winter ESIPs (Entrepreneurial Social Impact Projects) designed to serve their campus and surrounding communities. From cocoa stations to intergenerational holiday volunteering, Club Thrive in Joy chapters made the season brighter for hundreds of students and families.

Below is a look at how four schools uniquely infused joy into their campuses and neighborhoods this December:

Alliance Dr. Olga Mohan High School: 

While the temperatures felt like summer, the festive holiday energy curated by Club Thrive in Joy members at Alliance Dr. Olga Mohan High School transformed their campus into a Winter Festival. Students browsed free books written for teens provided by The Book Truck, enjoyed hot chocolate and conchas provided by La Monarca Bakery, and captured holiday memories at Core Media Photography’s photo booth. The festival gave students an opportunity to mix and mingle before departing for winter break on the final day of the semester.

Reflecting on the experience, Student Lead Lorena shared, “It was rewarding seeing the whole project become one piece, a project that our club members help build. Even though we were overrun by different ideas, in the end, our different visions combined to one reality.”

Esperanza College Prep: 

At Esperanza College Prep, Club Thrive in Joy members directed their Winter ESIP toward supporting families in need by collecting clothing donations for Union Rescue Mission. To thank students and teachers who contributed, the club hosted a festive “Cocoa & Conchas” station—complete with raffles, Polaroid photos, ornament decorating, and plenty of holiday cheer. The effort not only supported local unhoused communities but also brought Esperanza’s campus together in a meaningful way, with parents even joining the celebration.

Student Lead Angel reflected, “I learned that I can take initiative and step up when needed. It's not simple being a leader, and being able to take on this role makes a great way of taking a step closer in to adulthood.”

University Prep Value High School: 

Students at University Prep Value High School, decided to take their Winter ESIP off campus and into  Downtown Los Angeles for a day of intergenerational activities at the St. Barnabas Senior Services Center holiday celebration. Seventeen student leaders, joined by Thrive in Joy staff, worked the photo booth line, served meals, built gingerbread houses, danced with Santa, and shared holiday joy with active senior guests.

Thanks to the partnership with St. Barnabas Senior Services, Club Thrive in Joy students experienced firsthand how meaningful service can bridge generations and build community beyond the classroom. This experience of community service was best summed up by Natalie, a Student Lead at University Prep Value High School, who shared, “Being a leader in this project brought me joy in seeing students being highly dedicated to ensuring that the event went well, and their warm interactions with the elderly.”

USC Hybrid High College Prep:

At USC Hybrid High College Prep, Club Thrive in Joy student leaders welcomed younger siblings, parents, and friends to the school’s 5th Annual Winter Wonderland. More than 100 students and family members enjoyed hot cocoa and La Monarca Bakery conchas, engaged in holiday craft-making tables, received donated toys, and had their picture taken with Santa (herself!).

The celebration was made possible through generous toy donations from the faculty and staff of the USC Price School of Public Policy and other friends of Thrive in Joy. Much gratitude also goes out to the wonderful support of volunteers from Growing Minds.

Every one of these events was entirely planned and executed by the high school students in Club Thrive in Joy on their respective campuses. While each Club is its own entity, the collective impact of all the student volunteers had far-reaching impact across the city—impacting low-income families experiencing many challenges this holiday season, the unhoused who benefited from the donated clothes, the seniors who experienced the joy of young people showing they care, and students seeking a greater sense of community on their own high school campus.