Service Spotlight: The TeenSpace

Welcome to another edition of #ServiceSpotlight with The Smile Project where we share incredible stories of people doing incredible things in their communities. This week, we are thrilled to share the story of Nisha Evangelista, the Founder of the TeenSpace, based in New Jersey. Shoutout to our friends at Matt’s Kindness Ripples On for the connection! (Content warning toward the bottom of this post re: self-harm.) 

Liz: Let’s start in traditional Smile Project fashion. Give us a Happiness!

Nisha: Happiness is watching someone find something that they love and realize that they can use that gift to help other people. It is that ripple effect that actually caused me to found The TeenSpace. 

Liz: Tell me about The TeenSpace.

Nisha: The TeenSpace is a youth-led nonprofit organization that uses creative expression such as art, journaling, and storytelling as a bridge to mental health support for teens. We run creative outlet donation drives (distributing care kits to hospitals, behavioral health centers, and nonprofits), host in-person and virtual workshops, and maintain a digital community across TikTok and Instagram that has grown to over 16,000 followers and 12.3 million views. The beauty of my journey with The TeenSpace, which has been a little less than a year, is how rapidly we have grown. What started as a small three person club has grown into an organization with 200+ volunteers and 10 international chapters.

Liz: What is the driving force behind what you do?

Nisha: When I was thirteen, I watched a close friend slowly disappear into herself. She slowly began skipping meals and not attending classes. I reached out to an adult for help, but unfortunately nothing changed. That moment taught me that the problem wasn't that people didn't care; it was that the systems around us were not created to support young people in this way. Everyone always reminded us to take care of our bodies, but simultaneously neglected caring for our minds. Ultimately, I started The TeenSpace because I believe creativity can be a lifeline, and that no teen should have to navigate their hardest moments alone.

Liz: What does service mean to you?

Nisha: Service means showing up even when it isn't a special occasion. I believe that real service is less about grand gestures and more about being present and trustworthy enough that people feel safe reaching out in the first place. Support should not come because it is a special holiday, but because someone is thinking about that person and their circumstances year-round. 

Liz: How can people get involved? 

Nisha: We'd love for people to follow along, share our content, volunteer, or donate! Through our website, people can apply to volunteer with us or start a TeenSpace chapter in their local community or school. And, be sure to follow us on Instagram (@the_teenspace) and TikTok (@theteenspace_). 

Liz: Anything else you'd like to add?

Nisha: One of the messages that has stayed with me came from someone who wrote: "When I started self-harming, all I wanted was help and I never got that. Seeing other people able to talk about the things they healed from really made me happy, and I hope I can too." That's why we do this. Every care package, every post, every workshop is for young people around the world who may need that extra support. 

Liz: Do you have a favorite piece of advice to leave us with?

Nisha: I feel like this advice can be applicable anywhere, but most especially for those who aspire to be youth changemakers. As someone who is only fifteen-years-old, I've been constantly told that my ideas are unfeasible due to my age. What I hope resonates with those reading this is that your age is not your limit. Your perspective is. The world does not need you to wait until you're older. Start with what you have and work your way from there!