MEET THE INTERNS

The Faces of Our Organization

MEHR CHUG

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND YOUTH HEALTH & WELLNESS INTERN

My name is Mehr Chug and I am an intern for the Hope Avenue organization. I wanted to join this organization so I can contribute and give back to the community in any way, shape or form. This internship has helped me enhance my leadership skills and I have had the opportunity to connect and interact with other interns as well.

NIKKI ESMAILI

STORYTELLING & DONATION DRIVES INTERN

Hi my name is Nikki Esmaili and I’m a senior at Monte Vista High School! I have been apart of GIFT for the past two years and I’m excited to continue to gain experience and help communities in need!

TANYA SANGHAL

PRESIDENT; ANNUAL REPORT INTERN

Hello! My name is Tanya and I am a senior at Monte Vista High School. I am passionate about helping others. I believe as the youth, we have a lot of drive and energy that can enable us to make a positive impact in society. Leading the GIFT Youth Program has given me the opportunity to channel this passion in the right direction.

RISHIKA KOHLI

TREASURER; ANNUAL REPORT & SURVEY PLANNING INTERN

Hi! My name is Rishika Kohli and I’m a sophomore at Dougherty Valley High School. I am a Community Project and Social Media intern for GIFT. I am very grateful to be a part of this organization and am looking forward to making a difference. I joined GIFT to give back to the community, and I'm looking forward to contributing!

ANYA SINGH

TREASURER; ANNUAL REPORT & SURVEY PLANNING INTERN

Hi! I’m Anya Singh and I’m a senior at Monte Vista High School. I wanted to get involved with Hope Avenue to contribute more directly to changes in my community and work with more of my motivated peers. I look forward to continuing working with everyone at Hope Avenue and giving back to my community!

NATALIE SARNER

MARKETING (NEWSLETTER+) AND MENTORING & TUTORING INTERN

Hi! I'm Natalie Sarner and I am currently a sophomore at Monte Vista High School! My position in Hope Avenue is Mentoring/Tutoring and Marketing (Newsletter+). I envision myself helping others in the community, and to achieve this, I joined this wonderful organization! It's very inspiring to see such a compassionate and hardworking group of individuals. I'm grateful to be a part of Hope Avenue and I'm looking forward to meeting some of my fellow interns in the future!

ERIN MANDELL

SOCIAL MEDIA OFFICER; COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS & SOCIAL MEDIA INTERN

Hello, my name is Erin Mandell. I am a sophomore at Monte Vista High School, and I am so excited to be involved with the GIFT Internship Program. I look forward to working with the other members and contributing to our community as a team!

ARUSHI PATRA

MARKETING (NEWSLETTER+) & SOCIAL MEDIA INTERN

Hi! I’m Arushi, and I’m a sophomore at Monte Vista High School. I’m currently in the social media and newsletter group, and I love spreading awareness about local/global topics and issues through social media. Hope Avenue has allowed me to make a meaningful impact in my community, and I’m glad to be a part of it!

SHREYA BHASIN

MENTORING INTERN

My name is Shreya, and I decided to join GIFT so that I could help more people than just the few in my community. I am working with GIFT to mentor kids that need it, and I am so excited to see how many kids we will be able to help.

AKSHAY GAJJAR

VOLUNTEER MANAGER

Hi, I’m Akshay! I’ve been a part of GIFT for 3 years and am the President of the GIFT club at Monte Vista High School. I joined gift so that I can make a difference in the community and help as many people as possible.

IZZIE YU

SOCIAL MEDIA OFFICER; ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE & SOCIAL MEDIA INTERN

Hello! My name is Izzie Yu and I am currently a Junior at Monte Vista High School. I am so excited to continue being apart of the team and to be able to give back to my community. I love helping others and supporting my community which is why I am so grateful to be apart of GIFT!

ADITHYA RAMESH

MENTORING AND TUTORING & COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS

Hello, my name is Adithya Ramesh! I am a sophomore at Monte Vista High School, and I am excited to be a part of the Community Service Projects and Mentoring & Tutoring internships. I am looking forward to serving the community through tutoring and volunteering!

SIDDHARTH PALEJA

VOLUNTEER MANAGER; CLUB PRESIDENT OF MONTE VISTA GIFT CLUB

Hi I’m Siddharth Paleja, and currently I work as the internship volunteer manager in the Hope Avenue nonprofit and the club president of the Monte Vista GIFT club. I love working in GIFT because of my love for helping those around me, and my passion to see the world become a better place for everyone. Along with volunteering, I love drawing, skateboarding, running, and reading.