Schools
Whiz Kid of the Week: Sofia Capretta
High school senior is the founder and director of Warm 1 Body, a nonprofit dedicated to providing hats, gloves and socks to the Bay Area's homeless population.
Whiz Kid of the Week: Sofia Capretta
Name: Sofia Capretta
Age: 17, high school senior
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School: Saint Ignatius Prep, San Francisco
Accomplishment: Founding and directing Warm 1 Body, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing hats, gloves and socks to the Bay Area’s homeless population.
Find out what's happening in Mill Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“Given today’s down economy, and a record-high state unemployment rate, the number of people homeless in the Bay Area is increasing,” Capretta says. “My goal is too provide warmth to homeless people one body at a time. While our country continues to solve this American epidemic, I am working to provide a short term solution to where it matters most to me right here in the Bay Area.”
Capretta estimates that it costs $7.46 for the three articles of clothing for each homeless person, and has set a goal of raising $17,500 through contributions, in-lieu donations and grants to Warm 1 Body each hour of the 24-hour day for all 90 days of winter from Dec. 21 to March 21.
Key to Awesomeness: Capretta spawned the idea for Warm 1 Body while on a school immersion trip in June 2010. During the trip, she spent two weeks living in a homeless shelter in East Los Angeles and developed strong friendships.
“Spending time in the homeless shelter really inspired me to make a difference in the homeless community,” Capretta said. “It made me realize how lucky I am to live the life I am living. I feel so fortunate that I am able to help.”
Sofia’s father, Ricardo Capretta, said that with Sofia possibly heading to college outside the Bay Area in the fall, he hopes his younger daughter Bianca could take the reins of Warm 1 Body.
“Sofia has developed a unique organization to help a very needy cause here in the Bay Area,” he said. “[Sofia] is a quick learner, very organized, and stays focused on the task at hand to completion.”
Donations to Warm 1 Body can be sent to P.O. Box 1836, Mill Valley CA, 94942. If you want to donate hats, socks, and gloves, contact Sofia Carpretta at 415-680-5000 or email: Scapretta11@siprep.org.
