3WATERCOLORS

3WaterColors is a non-profit organization that works passionately to transform the lives of underprivileged children. In a world that is full of stress and difficulty, there arises a need to have a culture full of enthusiasm, empathy, and collaboration that aids us to thrive in our work. They organize seminars, and mentor programs for high school students, and also provide informational materials such as pamphlets and brochures to help teachers and counselors recognize children who are abused, neglected, or underprivileged.

FOUNDER’S STORY - IN HER WORDS

Sylvia Pradia is the Founder and CEO of 3WaterColors. Here, she tells us the reasons she started 3WaterColors. “3WaterColors is more than a local nonprofit 501c3—it is a pathway to healing. A pathway that was shaped by my personal history. For me to convey what our nonprofit does and means, I need to first explain why I created this organization. There are five main types of abuse when it comes to children: physical, emotional, neglect, sexual and bullying. During my own childhood, I experienced all five types, mostly at the hands of my mother and the company she kept. Not only that, I suffered almost daily outside of my home because of the rampant racism inside my community. I still remember constantly being sick, hungry, tired and hopeless. My basic needs were not being met and my grades and health suffered immensely from it. Despite the suffering and feelings of worthlessness, there was one thing that I looked forward to... school. When I was allowed to go, I found comfort and safety in the staff at my school. When I was in the 4th grade, I found myself trusting an adult for the first time. The school nurse and one particular teacher would give me clothes from the lost and found, help me get hygiene products, and ask me how I was doing. In middle school, I found another such angel and even stayed with her for a time when my home was too unsafe. Once I became an adult, I knew that I wanted to find a way to help kids who were experiencing similar situations. This led to the creation of this organization, which eventually became a nonprofit.”

“The goal of 3WaterColors was simple—to help kids feel protected and provided for, just like those amazing women made me feel. Though it cannot erase my trauma, it did ease the burden just enough for me to see light at the end of the tunnel. This work, this organization, was the light I was seeing. Now, with the help of amazing community members, donors and schools, it has grown larger than I ever thought possible. With your help, I can continue to give these kids the basic necessities of life, so that they may have a better tomorrow.”