EvryMemory mobilizes high school students to engage dementia residents through meaningful, brain-stimulating activities, equips caregivers with practical support resources, and raises awareness to reduce the stigma surrounding dementia care.
International
Chapters
100+
Volunteers
1000+
Lives Touched
15+
Care Facilities
100+
Volunteers
25+
Events Hosted
200+
Families Helped
What We Do
Three pillars of impact
Student–Resident Connection
We connect high school students with dementia residents through structured, brain-stimulating activities designed to promote cognitive engagement and genuine human connection.
Caregiver Tool Kits
We provide caregivers with curated dementia tool kits containing practical resources, guidance, and support to help them navigate the challenges of daily caregiving.
Awareness & Stigma Reduction
We conduct outreach in communities where dementia care stigma is prevalent, facilitating education and open dialogue that fosters greater understanding and reduces isolation.
Who We Are
Student-led, community-driven
EvryMemory was founded in Virginia on the belief that high school students are capable of creating real, lasting impact in their communities. EvryMemory is exactly that structured program, as it merges care for the elderly with academic opportunities for students worldwide.
Today, our chapters span 15+ states and multiple countries. Each week, student volunteers visit care facilities to lead arts sessions, music activities, and reminiscence programs that bring consistent, meaningful engagement to residents.
Student-Led Chapters
Each chapter is organized and operated by high school students within their own communities, from coordinating facility visits to leading activities and building lasting relationships with residents.
Real Relationships
Our volunteers commit to consistent, ongoing engagement. The relationships built between students and residents over time are central to what makes our program effective.
Growing Every Month
From a single chapter in Virginia to a growing presence across 15+ states and multiple countries, EvryMemory continues to expand through the initiative of dedicated student leaders.
Our Impact
What we have done so far
15+
Care Facilities Partnered
100+
Volunteers
25+
Community Events Hosted
200+
Families Supported
Moments From Our Visits
Where the work happens
Our Programs
Our Programs
Share Your Story
Personal stories from caregivers and families are among the most powerful tools for reducing dementia stigma. We collect and share these experiences to build empathy and awareness across our communities.
Volunteer With Us
Connect with a local EvryMemory chapter and begin making an impact. No prior experience is required, only a commitment to showing up consistently and engaging with residents meaningfully.
Marketing Internship
Join our team this summer as a marketing intern. You will help develop our communications, expand our digital presence, and ensure our message reaches the communities and caregivers who need it most.
Arts Program
Creative expression remains meaningful at every stage of dementia. Our Arts Program pairs students and residents for structured painting, music, and hands-on activities that stimulate cognitive function and foster genuine connection during each visit.
Stories of Impact
“
One thing I will never forget as a caregiver is how my mom still reacted to music, even with Alzheimer's. A familiar song would come on, and for a few moments, she'd smile like she remembered it. I've learned that family dynamics can change in ways you don't expect, and patience is huge. My advice? Keep talking to them. Even if they can't respond, they still get it. Treat them with respect and kindness. They're still the person you love.
Caregiver
“
Before my dad was diagnosed, the signs were there. One night, he got dressed and drove to his doctor's office at 1 AM. When he got home, he told me no one was there, and I gently reminded him it was the middle of the night. The next morning, I made an appointment, and months later, we got the diagnosis: Alzheimer's and Vascular Dementia. Since then, I've learned not to argue over things that don't matter, to be patient, and to find support. It truly helps. If you're on this journey, you're not alone.
Family Member
“
One thing that stands out as a caregiver is how there is no filter. If they can still talk, they say exactly what is on their mind. The biggest lesson I have learned is to stay calm no matter what. They do not know or understand anymore, and it is not their fault. My advice is to be patient, do not take things personally, and meet them where they are.
Caregiver
“
When my mother had Alzheimer's, she would still remember some of the songs she used to sing years before. She knew most of the words and would sing her heart out. It was a bittersweet reminder that while so much was slipping away, some things stayed with her. The biggest lesson I learned was patience, patience, and more patience. They truly do not know what they do, and all we can do is meet them with love and understanding.
Family Member
Be Part of Our Impact
Whether you volunteer, donate, or raise awareness in your community, your involvement helps us reach more residents and families who need support.
For Chapter Leaders
Chapter Resources
Everything you need to start a chapter, run successful visits, and grow your community presence.
Our chapters are founded and led by high school students. If EvryMemory does not yet exist in your area, here is how to get started.
01
Apply
Fill out the chapter interest form. Tell us about yourself, your school, your city, and why you want to bring EvryMemory to your community. It takes about two minutes.
02
Connect
We will pair you with a mentor from an established chapter. They have been through the process and will walk you through everything from finding a facility to planning your first event.
03
Launch
Using our outreach guide, scripts, and activity resources, you will contact local memory care centers and plan your first community visit. Leadership is with you every step of the way.
04
Grow
Recruit volunteers from your school, build a partnership with your care facility, and run consistent visits. You can earn volunteer hours, get recognition on our Instagram, and grow into a Regional Lead role.
What you get as a chapter leader
Support
A dedicated group chat with leadership for questions and updates
Optional monthly Zoom check-ins with other chapter leaders
Access to our full outreach guide, activity resources, and email templates
A mentor from an existing chapter to guide you through setup
Recognition
Volunteer hours. Care facilities will provide these directly to you and your volunteers
Instagram shoutouts on @evrymemory_alz for your chapter events
Promotion opportunities including Regional Lead and Director of Outreach Associates roles
Your city added to the EvryMemory global chapter map
Outreach Associate Guide
As an Outreach Associate, you connect EvryMemory with memory care centers in your community. Here is everything you need to do it well.
Your Responsibilities
Identify and reach out to memory care centers, nursing homes, hospice centers, and senior living communities
Schedule and conduct calls, emails, or in-person visits to introduce EvryMemory and propose collaboration
Maintain a log of outreach progress and follow-up status
Coordinate with leadership on successful partnerships and upcoming events
When permitted, take photos for our social media
How to Find Centers
Google: Search "Memory care near [your city]"
Websites: Caring.com, A Place for Mom, or Seniorly
State Health Department directories
Track in your Outreach Log
Center NamePhone & WebsiteContact NameEmailDate ContactedNotes
Phone Call Script
Opening
"Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I'm reaching out from EvryMemory, a youth-led nonprofit supporting Alzheimer's patients. We partner with memory care centers to bring joy to residents through comfort drives, visits, and community engagement.
If local to the DMV area
"We have partnerships with local senior centers in the area, including Chantilly Heights Memory Care."
If outside the DMV area
"We have partnerships with centers in Virginia and across 20+ states, and have hosted events like holiday celebrations, dances, and interactive generational activities."
Ask
"Would I be able to get in touch with your Activities Director or Program Coordinator to discuss a collaboration?"
Once speaking with the Activities Director
"Hi! I'd love to plan something special at your center with a group of high school volunteers. We've been organizing visits where students spend time with residents doing simple activities like games, crafts, and conversations that bring joy and connection. Our goal is to bridge the generation gap and help Alzheimer's patients feel seen, loved, and supported. You can check out our Instagram @evrymemory_alz to see past events. We also run comfort drives where we collect and donate items residents might need. We truly just want to help in any way we can."
Call Tips
Confidence is everything. If you are not confident in yourself, it is very rare the center will be confident in you.
Keep the call under 2 minutes
Offer to email a flyer if needed
Record who you spoke to and their response immediately after
In-Person Visits (Highly Recommended)
Bring a printed EvryMemory flyer
Dress neatly and respectfully
Ask specifically for the Program or Activities Director
Leave a flyer and ask to follow up by phone or email
Respect privacy. Do not take photos without permission
Email Template
Subject: EvryMemory x [Center Name] - Partnering for Alzheimer's Support
Dear [Name],
My name is [Your Name], and I am an Outreach Associate of EvryMemory, a youth-led nonprofit dedicated to creating meaningful experiences for individuals living with Alzheimer's and dementia.
We are currently expanding our mission across the United States and are looking to partner with memory care communities like yours to host simple, engaging intergenerational events including music, crafts, conversations, and more.
We have already partnered with Chantilly Heights Memory Care, and we would love to bring that same warmth and energy to [Center Name]. You can see photos and videos from our past events on Instagram: @evrymemory_alz.
I would love to connect for a brief call or meeting to explore how we can collaborate.
Use the EvryMemory Outreach Log (Google Sheet) to track every contact. Update it weekly and submit to leadership every two weeks. Log the date, type of contact (call, email, or in-person), contact name and info, notes from the conversation, and next steps.
Activity Guide for Dementia Visits
These guidelines come from hands-on experience. Following them is the difference between a visit that falls flat and one that residents and volunteers talk about for weeks.
Failure-free
There is no right way. If a resident wants to paint the whole pumpkin one color, that is the finished product. Correcting them causes distress.
Short attention spans
Plan for 15 to 30 minutes per activity. Some residents will engage for 5 minutes and that is a complete success.
One-on-one is essential
Do not run activities as group instruction. Each resident needs a volunteer sitting directly next to them, hands-on throughout.
Familiar, not novel
Activities that tap long-term memory work better than trendy or unfamiliar projects. Long-term memory is preserved much longer than short-term.
Tactile and sensory
The doing matters more than the result. Soft textures, warm colors, and familiar smells like cinnamon, pine, or lavender trigger positive memories.
Safety first
No small parts, no sharp tools, no toxic materials, no hot glue guns. Residents may put things in their mouths. Pre-cut everything that needs cutting.
Must Do Every Visit
Getting to Know You: spend the first few minutes simply introducing yourselves and asking residents about their lives, family, and interests.
Anytime (safest, most successful)
Flower arrangingPre-cut stems, simple vase. Very calming, taps into a familiar lifelong activity.
Folding washclothsA deeply ingrained motor memory. Residents find it soothing and feel useful.
Sorting buttons by colorLarge buttons only. Calming, repetitive, gives a sense of accomplishment.
Watercolor paintingLarge brushes, big paper. No subject, just color. Process over product.
Cookie decoratingTactile, familiar, edible reward. Use plastic knives only.
Tissue paper gluingCrumple and glue onto a pre-drawn shape. Very forgiving.
Yarn windingSurprisingly meditative. Taps muscle memory for residents who knitted.
Coloring pagesThick crayons or markers. Simple large-print pages with bold outlines.
Pressed flower cardsPre-press flowers. Residents arrange and glue onto cardstock.
Spring
Planting seeds in small cups
Decorating eggs with stickers (no dye)
Arranging fresh tulips or daffodils in vases
Summer
Lemonade making (squeezing lemons is great motor activity)
Beach-themed sensory bins (sand, smooth shells)
Painting on large rocks with simple shapes
Fall
Decorating mini pumpkins with stickers or dot markers
Apple-themed activities and cinnamon smelling stations
Pressing leaves between wax paper
Sensory tray with acorns, pinecones, smooth gourds
Winter / Christmas
Decorating pre-made wooden ornaments with stickers
Folding laundryClean towels and washcloths to fold. Often the most engaged activity of the entire visit.
What to Avoid
Small parts: small beads, googly eyes, sequins, glitter (choking risk)
Hot tools: glue guns, irons
Sharp scissors: bring safety scissors or pre-cut everything
Complex projects: residents lose the thread with multi-step instructions
"Childish" framing: never say "arts and crafts time." Adult tone always: "we're making something together"
Time pressure: never rush. Ever.
Asking memory questions during the activity: "Do you remember doing this?" can cause anxiety. Instead say "this reminds me of..." and let them respond if they want to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from new chapter leaders and outreach associates.
Do I need prior experience to start a chapter?
No experience is required. We provide everything you need: scripts, activity guides, mentorship from an existing chapter leader, and ongoing support from leadership. What matters most is your commitment to showing up consistently.
How do I find a memory care facility to partner with?
Search "Memory care near [your city]" on Google, or use Caring.com, A Place for Mom, or Seniorly. State Health Department directories are also a great resource. Once you have a list, use our outreach guide to make your first contact by call, email, or in-person visit.
What actually happens during a visit?
Visits typically start with introductions, spending time simply getting to know residents. From there, volunteers sit one-on-one with residents and do a simple activity together (see our Activity Guide for ideas). Visits usually last 1 to 2 hours and are coordinated with the facility's Activities Director.
Do volunteers get hours?
Yes. Care facilities will provide volunteer hour documentation directly to you and your volunteers. These hours count toward school volunteer requirements, NHS, and college applications.
What is a comfort drive?
Comfort drives are donation collections where we gather items that residents in memory care facilities need or enjoy: things like cozy socks, puzzle books, photo frames, lotion, and other comfort items. Your chapter can organize a drive at your school and deliver the items directly to your partner facility.
How often should our chapter visit?
Consistency matters more than frequency. We recommend at least once a month to start. Residents and staff remember you, and regular visits build the kind of genuine relationships that make the program meaningful. Coordinate with your facility to find a schedule that works for both sides.
What if the facility says no?
Keep going. Many successful chapters were turned down by the first two or three facilities they contacted. Log the response, note any feedback they gave, and move on to the next center on your list. Persistence and a professional approach will get you there.
Can I post photos from visits on social media?
Only when the facility and residents (or their families) have given explicit permission. Always ask the Activities Director before taking any photos. When in doubt, photograph the activity or setting rather than residents directly. Tag us at @evrymemory_alz and we will repost your chapter's work.
"You're not just making calls. You're helping us fight isolation, create joy, and make Alzheimer's patients feel remembered and loved."
EvryMemory Leadership
Our Team
Our Team
President & Vice President
Founder & President
Mouktika Yeruva
Vice President
Marissa Turek
Treasurer & Secretary
Treasurer
Suhani Garg
Secretary
Anvita Gandi
Officers
Technology Officer
Tejesh Vaddi
Outreach Officer
Surya Vadlamudi
Social Media
Iris McCullough
Social Media
Elise Stuckwisch
Where We Are
Our Chapters, Our Community
"Every pin brings people together."
Seattle, Washington
Carrollton, Texas
Leander, Texas
Frisco, Texas
Cupertino, California
Fallston, Maryland
Austin, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Houston, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
Little Rock, Arkansas
Wayne, New Jersey
Jacksonville, Florida
Cary, North Carolina
Chantilly, Virginia
Hyderabad, India
Najran, Saudi Arabia
Seoul, Japan
Start a Chapter
Bring EvryMemory to your community.
Our chapters are founded and led by high school students within their own communities. If EvryMemory does not yet exist in your area, we encourage you to take the first step.
01
Apply Complete the interest form and share your vision for your local chapter.
02
Connect We will pair you with a mentor from an established chapter to guide you through the process.
03
Launch Using our provided resources and frameworks, plan and run your first community event.
04
Grow Recruit volunteers, establish facility partnerships, and build a chapter that creates lasting impact.
Chapter Interest
Ready to start a chapter?
Fill out our interest form and we will be in touch within 48 hours.
The form covers your name, school, location, and a brief description of why you want to bring EvryMemory to your community. It takes about two minutes to complete.
