Our Story

After reading an article in the local newspaper about how an 18-year-old girl was moving out of the foster care program and into a lonely apartment with her belongings packed in a plastic trash bag, four students were moved to take a stand. Touched by the fact that dozens of people close to their own age had such little to their names, the four friends (Alli Weiss, Alex Kaplan, Alex Rubin, and Ilana Wolpert) decided they needed to take action and banded together to form Project 1841. Standing for 18-year-olds, four girls, and one cause, Project 1841 presents foster teens aging out of the Broward County system with a "starter kit" for their 18th birthday.   

In 2011, when the founding girls went off to college, Caroline Kaplan, Alex's younger sister, did not want to see the project end. Thus, "Generation Two,” consisting of her and her three friends (Samantha Robinson, Carly Purcell, and Chelsea Contessa), took over to continue the legacy and successfully expanded Project 1841 to new heights. Together, they added to the starter kits, created an annual shopping fundraiser at a local boutique, and spread awareness about the plight of foster teens by collecting donations from their school clubs and gaining attention from the TV and print news.

When Generation Two graduated high school, Caroline passed the project down to her two younger cousins to form "Generation Three," including Lexi Ofstein, Julie Berman, Amanda Richard, and Andrea Hengber.

In "Generation Four," Andrea and Lexi brought Sami Ofstein and Julia Glacer into the project. Followed by "Generation Five," when Sami and Julia inducted Addison Sacks and Avery Crippen. 

"Generation Six," including Addison Sacks, Avery Crippen, Mia Bono, and Brianna Bango, brought fresh new ideas to 1841, enhancing the starter kits and experience, and now we ramp up for "Generation Seven," with Brianna and Mia being joined by Amanda Bilsky and Sammy Shortz. We look forward to seeing what more they can do. The goal is to continue to show foster teens that they are not alone for generations to come.

“Generation Eight” now includes Amanda and Sammy, joined by Graciela Wilson and Martina Velez. Together, this next generation is bringing fresh ideas, creativity, and energy to Project 1841. The girls are exploring new ways to enhance our starter kits, identify additional items that can help young adults as they transition out of the foster care system, and expand the impact of the project within our community.

“The girls of 1841, not only have been a benefit to ChildNet, but more importantly to our kids aging out of the foster care system each month,” states ChildNet employee Michael Stephens. “Their sincerity and dedication in providing this service to our kids is awesome.” 

Beyond assembling kits, these girls are helping shape the future of Project 1841 by finding new ways to raise awareness, connect with local businesses and supporters, and encourage other young people to get involved and support the cause. Their goal is simple: to make each starter kit more meaningful and personal, ensuring every young adult who receives one feels supported, encouraged, and prepared as they begin their next chapter.