Today we’d like to introduce you to Anisha Mandem.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My idea for NeuroNext Foundation initially occurred while volunteering as a pianist at memory care centers and hospitals, where I noticed a common thread—neurological disorders. I realized many people, including myself, were unaware of the daily challenges faced by these individuals. From a twelve-year-old boy with autism entering a real classroom to a small business owner diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, I had been blind to an issue right in front of me. The occasional awareness week at school perpetuated the stereotype of neurological disorders as mental “disabilities.” But spending time with these extraordinary individuals shattered this stereotype. It wasn’t a disability but a lens for viewing life uniquely. I made it my mission to share this perspective. What began as small card events and bake sales eventually expanded to impact over 10,000 individuals internationally. Seeing countless like-minded volunteers carry forward a mission I started was unimaginable. I witnessed the impact not only in my community but in so many others. We’ve now expanded to 12 international chapters, and our goal is to continue spreading our mission of elevating the voices of the neurodivergent. We hope to continue improving the future of neurology one individual at a time.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey to expand this much has not been simple, but the work has definitely been worth it. Most of the effort went towards gaining awareness for our cause. Finding dedicated chapter officers and volunteers to carry forth our work even when we’re not there has been an important part of our success. In addition, finding new and creative events to hold was vital. I didn’t want NNF to be just any other student-led nonprofit. I wanted our name to be recognizable by not just volunteers and partners, but by those in the community we’ve helped. And it was. Receiving emails and DMs from those in our community to those in a country 1000 miles away was the moment I realized that NNF was larger than just Prosper, Texas. It was a point of connection for those in Missouri, Ohio, Frisco, Coppell, California, India, Chicago, Nevada, Africa, Georgia, North Carolina, Mexico, and Florida.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
NeuroNext Foundation is an international student-led nonprofit organization that aims to support individuals in the community with neurological disorders and raise awareness and funds. We’ve held over 30 global events including hospital partnerships, retirement home and autism center visits, supply donations, restaurant fundraisers, and bake sales. We currently have almost 1500 active volunteers in 12 different chapters across the world. NNF started as a small initiative. A few friends and I started gathering regularly to visit retirement homes, deliver handwritten cards, and have conversations with neurodivergent community members. It was amazing to hear their stories and all of the knowledge they had to share with the world, something we wouldn’t have learned without speaking to them. Our events expanded as well. We’ve participated in neurodiversity awareness conventions, various book and toy drives for children’s hospitals, school supply drives for special education schools around the world, bake sales, online webinars to share information with students and parents alike, and have partnered with over 15 different medical-related organizations and local businesses. It has been amazing to see how a small idea has grown into such a large part of my life. I can’t wait to see where we go next.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned from leading NeuroNext has been the importance of storytelling. Learning to advocate for those who can’t, elevating the voices of those who are underrepresented, and even highlighting the positive work of our volunteers have been an essential part of shaping my own story. Throughout high school, the individuals I met and the people that became a part of my life played a huge role in my passion for neuroscience and medicine. Now, as a freshman in college, I hope to continue building NNF and my narrative.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://neuronextfoundation.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neuronextfoundation/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Neuronextfoundation/61550938446706/#
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/neuronext-foundation?trk=ppro_cprof
Image Credits
From NeuroNext Volunteers/Chapters
