To many, it is encouraging when the youth of America begin to see how isolated our society has become. More than that, however, it is truly heartening to see those same young people not only see the need but try to do something about it.
Such is the situation for Brendan Li of Cypress. Seeing too much isolation around him, Brendan, a tenth grader at Oxford Elementary in Cypress, formed the nonprofit ILLUME to illuminate the lives of others in his community of Cypress
“I founded ILLUME with the mission of empowering, uplifting, and illuminating lives. I wanted to create an organization that could spread joy, love, and hope, not just to those immediately around us but to communities that are often underserved and overlooked,” he said this week.
“Whether it be seniors who may feel forgotten to unprivileged youth in shelters, I hope to work towards bringing love and compassion to individuals who might not often experience it. The change I want to make in the world is one where community and compassion is prioritized,” said Li.
“ILLUME works towards ensuring that these unprivileged communities don’t feel invisible or neglected, but instead, acknowledged, supported, and cared for. I hope to positively change the world so that it shines a little brighter for everyone,” he said.
After an event in Cypress Oct. 19 that entertained senior citizens, ILLUME booked the Cypress Senior Center in Cypress for its biggest event yet.
“Our upcoming event is on November 25th from 10:45am-11:45am at the Cypress Senior Center (9031 Grindlay St, Cypress, CA 90630,” said Li.
“On that day, we’ll be having a variety of performances, including piano, clarinet, dance, flute, violin, saxophone, and more by our volunteers and board members in celebration of Thanksgiving,” he ssaid.
The group is expecting between 85 – 100 seniors in attendance that day.
Many citizens, he said, “are often overlooked and left to feel isolated and abandoned.”
“However, through creating joyful moments for senior citizens who often feel isolated, providing care and encouragement to children facing challenging circumstances, and inspiring volunteers to engage with their community, ILLUME truly works towards cultivating a sense of purpose and empathy.”
Ironically, Li’s efforts come on the wake of a report by the U.S. sSurgeon General who has declared there is an “epidemic of loneliness” in America.
In fact, there is a loneliness epidemic around the world. South Korea has invested $327 million to alleviate loneliness, both the United Kingdom and Australia have appointed Ministers of Loneliness and other countries are acting as well.
Social isolation is a worldwide problem.
Li said he founded ILLUME, a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2023, out of a desire to create joy.
“It was created from a desire to bring joy and love to underserved communities. Through the many successful and diverse events that ILLUME has organized, we’ve positively impacted the lives of over 300 individuals,” he said.
“Many of the people that we have served — youth in shelters, children who have previously lived in abusive households, and seniors in care homes — are often overlooked and left to feel isolated and abandoned,” he added.
He said ILLUME’s mission is to illuminate lives. Through organizing monthly events, ILLUME aims to create meaningful experiences not only for those whose lives we impact, but also for the volunteers, building moments of shared joy and empathy.
“We are dedicated to fostering a spirit of community service and inclusivity by engaging student volunteers in meaningful activities that support seniors, children, and disadvantaged groups,” said Li.
“We aim to build a culture of kindness where every person has the opportunity to shine, feel connected, and contribute meaningfully to the world around them. ILLUME believes that through our performances and acts of service, we are able to empower lives,” he added.
“For a child facing uncertainty, giving them a plushie they can call their own gives them a feeling of joy and love. For a senior battling loneliness, sharing a moment of music can offer comfort and remind them they are not forgotten. And for our volunteers, these interactions foster empathy and remind them of the impact they can have on the world around them.”
For more info, reach out to illumeusa@gmail.com.