FCSN’s 2024 Volunteer of the Year, Aarav Sharma, is a rising senior at Archbishop Mitty High School and a dedicated volunteer for FCSN. For the past four years, Aarav has taught coding programs of Scratch and Python as well as programs of various other subjects such as Pre-Algebra, Spanish, and Badminton. He has also made a greater impact within the lives of special needs individuals by starting a podcast which aims to provide hope to families with special needs individuals and by creating an AI powered interactive social networking platform for special needs families that prioritizes security, privacy, and content moderation.

Aarav’s FCSN journey was sparked by an experience during the summer before his freshman year of high school. While visiting his family in India, Aarav and his cousin were playing a game of Chutes & Ladders when Aarav noticed that his cousin continuously struggled to move the game avatar in the correct position. Finding out from his relatives that his cousin had autism and motor issues, Aarav began to help his cousin with the game, watching him gradually improve and eventually succeed. It was then that Aarav realized the positive impact he could make within the life of his cousin as well as other individuals with special needs. 

When Aarav first began volunteering at FCSN, he instructed coding programs. Yet, as a new instructor, he quickly realized that this experience was different from any other volunteering role he had before. He recalls, “I tried to use the same coding lesson plan with these students that I had used while teaching students at the library, but it wasn’t effective.” Adapting his lesson plan, Aarav began incorporating additional games, like a Maze and Ping Pong Game, to better engage his students. He also used Blooket quizzes, which stimulated a friendly competition and brought a joyful environment to the classes. “The modifications were all very effective, and they allowed the children to be enthusiastic with my content, [and] provided me [with] happiness [knowing] that my lessons were able to resonate with the children,” Aarav said. 

As Aarav continued volunteering for FCSN, he brought more programs to students, including Spanish, Badminton, and Pre-Algebra classes. He recalls particularly fondly of the badminton camp, which, unlike his other programs, is in-person. “Teaching in-person with special needs students is a much different experience than teaching on Zoom, and obtaining this onsite opportunity is rewarding for myself as I learned skills of patience and [how to] control an atmosphere.”  At the end of his badminton courses, Aarav always does something special — he gives each student a therapy kit, which is filled with toys such as Play-Doh, Fidget Spinners, and Rubik’s Cubes. 

Through his teaching experiences at FCSN, Aarav not only nurtured skills of patience and resilience, but found gratifying experiences through every interaction he had. Warmly, he recalls the time when he received two drawings from his students. “[One student] created a Christmas drawing for me incorporating Santa Claus, reindeers, hot chocolate, and more. [And another] depicted me and him playing badminton together,” Aarav said. “These were touching pictures for me, and I was very emotional at that time.” 

Welcomed by the FCSN community with open arms, Aarav was inspired to develop a software for FCSN that aims to bring together all FCSN staff and families on one platform. The software, Allyhq.ai, features online spaces for families to share resources and network, as well as articles discussing important topics to the community, such as autism and family dynamics, AI in autism, and more. In order to better support families and children with autism, Aarav also initiated a podcast series, Spectrum Stories, which invites individuals from the autism community who have made a meaningful difference in the lives of special needs individuals, to share their stories and offer encouragement to families.   

Receiving this year’s 2024 Volunteer of the Year, Aarav expresses his gratitude toward all the valuable connections he has made in the organization. “[While at FCSN], I have made special bonds and memories with the children, families, and FCSN staff. This award goes to show that kindness can go a long way.” 

In the future, Aarav plans on continuing to volunteer for FCSN by teaching his favorite course, badminton, and by continuing to improve Allyhq.ai to cater to the needs of FCSN families. To other FCSN youth volunteers, he leaves a message: “Although volunteering with special needs children may seem daunting at first, the experience is like no other. This community has embraced me with open arms, and they will do the same for you. From FCSN, you will gain traits such as kindness and patience that go a long way not just in volunteering but in life in general.”