Project 116 is a socially-conscious effort providing youth creative outlets to initiate positive differences in their lives and those around them. 

 

What started as a Citizen Schools apprenticeship taught over the course of two semesters during the after-school hours at Isaac Newton Middle School in East Harlem, eventually led us to the Urban Assembly Academy of Arts & Letters in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. Our dedicated volunteers taught middle-school students about Entrepreneurship and Product Design. Our students learned to design, produce, market and sell an original line of products. Such items included sustainable merchandise such as a fashionable, eco-themed collection of tote bags, NYC themed graphics printed on recycled t-shirts, and an original recipe for natural holiday cookies. Top 2 winners from each project (voted on by their peers and the community) were produced and sold on the Project 116 Online Store.

 

We look forward to expanding into new educational channels. Bringing together students, volunteers, and sustainable projects. Join us on this journey…one project at a time.

 

Project 116 was founded by Shien-ru Tsao, an entrepreneur/product designer eager to add a social mission to her ventures.