[Skip to content](https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/becoming-a-changemaker#maincontent) [Newsroom](https://www.t-mobile.com/news)Toggle secondary navigation - [Network](https://www.t-mobile.com/news/category/network) - [Devices](https://www.t-mobile.com/news/category/devices) - [Un-carrier](https://www.t-mobile.com/news/category/un-carrier) - [Community](https://www.t-mobile.com/news/category/community) - [Offers](https://www.t-mobile.com/news/category/offers) - [Business](https://www.t-mobile.com/news/category/business) English [CommunityCategory](https://www.t-mobile.com/news/category/community)[Story](https://www.t-mobile.com/news/story) # The Secrets to Becoming a Young Changemaker By T-Mobile StaffNovember 21, 2018 Entrepreneurship is not all fun and games – but the winning teams of T‑Mobile’s Changemaker Challenge not only embraced obstacles, they are continuing to raise the bar for themselves and others on their mission to make the world a better place.  4 min read - Facebook IconShare on Facebook - Share on Twitter - LinkedIn IconShare on LinkedIn Earlier this year, 30 teams of young adults and teens came together at the T-Mobile headquarters in Bellevue, WA to participate in the [Changemaker Challenge](https://www.t-mobile.com/responsibility/community/education/changemaker-challenge) – a two-day lab intensive co-sponsored by [Ashoka](https://www.ashoka.org/en) focused on bringing together ideas from youth around the country. In the end, six teams were picked by T-Mobile’s CEO, John Legere as the best-of-the-best, who then returned to Bellevue for the chance to get hands on mentorship and advice from T-Mobile leaders. Here, the top six teams share more about how they’re breaking the mold, embracing their entrepreneurial spirit, and how the Changemaker Challenge program is helping them move their ideas forward. #### __Meet the team:__ __Dios del Sol__ A Puerto Rican upstart is looking to help churches finance, transition to and ultimately manage solar microgrids to serve local communities in times of crisis. > *“Starting has been hard, but I’m very optimistic about the energy future that Puerto Rico can create for itself. This idea has gone from being a seed in my mind to becoming a complete strategy that could save lives in Puerto Rico." -- team leader J.I. Cruz.* #### __Meet the team:__ __The Yellow Tulip Project__ With representatives around the country, The Yellow Tulip Project is working to “smash the stigma” of mental health – opening a door to conversations about mental health by hosting community events and planting tulip bulbs – a symbol for hope and renewal. *"Scaling and expansion is hard. The Changemaker Challenge has opened my eyes to the idea that the world isn’t a linear place. There are opportunities out there for me to make change – no matter my age.” -- Team leader Alison Ingalls.* #### __Meet the team:__ __Art Pass__ Envisioning a world where no kid is afraid to seek medical attention, ArtPass helps millions of kids around the world who are in the hospital without any form of entertainment by donating art supplies – improving their quality of life and easing the fear and stigma of hospitalization.  *“The hardest part has been proving ourselves. While we are young, we are serious. The Changemaker Challenge has made me realize that there are mentors – who I would typically think are inaccessible – who want to support us.” — Team leader Malcolm Asher.*  #### __Meet the team:__ __Aware__ A Seattle-based organization that hosts school clubs in order to break down barriers between general and special education students – providing special needs students with the opportunity to participate in school social experiences that are often unavailable to them. __*“Our biggest hurdle has been getting in touch with the adults in schools who are vital to Aware being able to reach more students. This experience has made me realize that the progress we have made is just the beginning.” — Team leader Sarah Raza.*__ #### __Meet the team:__ __Echo Effect__ The youngest of the six winning teams at just 14 and 16, Echo Effect looks to make a statement in the app market, challenging youth to turn their selfies into good deeds, gamifying “selfless selfies.” *Not only are we the youngest team, but we came into the Changemaker Challenge with just an idea. We are now more equipped than ever to embrace our age. Who can better relate to the younger generation than us?!” — Project partners, Russell and Wes Bills* #### __Meet the team:__ __Peerlift__ Coining their tagline, “Creating access to opportunity,” Peerlift is tapping into the scholarship market by crowdsourcing information to connect high schoolers to financial aid, scholarships and internships. *“We have a diverse team of college students all working to progress Peerlift. We have learned to juggle school and our project. Our passion for the company is what helps maintain this lifestyle.” — Peerlift Director of Finance, Sravya Alla*  Tags[Giving Back](https://www.t-mobile.com/news/archive/giving-back) ## Related Stories [More Stories](https://www.t-mobile.com/news/category/community) [ \ CommunityStory \ __Everything You Need in Your Go Bag__ \ January 23, 2026|6 min read](https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/everything-you-need-in-your-go-bag-2023) [ \ CommunityStory \ __How to Create a Family Emergency Plan__ \ October 07, 2024|3 min read](https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/how-to-create-a-family-emergency-plan-2023) [ \ CommunityStory \ __T-Mobile Recovery Expert: “Disasters All Have the Same Backbone”__ \ August 15, 2023|5 min read](https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/recovery-expert-disasters-all-have-the-same-backbone) [ \ CommunityStory \ __One Team Together: A Unified Front to Help Those Impacted by Emergency Events (Update)__ \ August 15, 2023|6 min read](https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/one-team-together-a-unified-front-to-help-those-impacted-by-emergency-events-in-maui)