How about giving a big hand to a group of high school students from Virginia that is focused on helping others? Founded in 2010, GIVE stands for Growth and Inspiration through Volunteering and Education.

GIVE organizes and coordinates a free tutoring program that provides academic assistance to elementary school students in Virginia, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Visit www.giveyouth.org for a complete Tutoring Program schedule.

“Starting with only a handful of kids in the spring of 2010, we have since grown to providing services to over 150 students,” said Kevin Quoc Khoa Cao, GIVE co-founder and president.

GIVE is 100% student-operated. Kevin is a Vietnamese American junior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia. Others are mostly from the same school. Kartik Gupta is VP and co-founder. Abrar Omerish is also a co-founder. Samyu Jothishankar helps in operational functions. Sebastian Lerner was 2010 Tutor of the Year. Saniya Suri independently organizes and implements events.

During the 2010-11 schoolyear, GIVE held tutoring sessions at one community center in Annandale. It has since expanded to four centers across Fairfax County: two in Falls Church, one in Annandale and one in Reston.

GIVE’s goal is to “promote leadership of youth through projects that improve the quality of life in their communities.” GIVE also coordinates an AP/SAT book drive to benefit high school students in need of resources.

“We have published a book about cultural/religious tolerance that we plan to distribute to elementary schools this spring,” Kevin said.

GIVE has received “overwhelming positive feedback” from local schools. “Teachers, counselors and parent liaisons have been recommending our program to their students and parents,” said Kevin.