Miss Fall River Launches Donation Drive to Support Local Students Through Her Initiative, Next-Gen Navigators

Deolinda Mendes, Miss Fall River, is using her platform to make a real difference in the lives of students across her community. Through her Community Service Initiative, Next-Gen Navigators, Deolinda is on a mission to ensure that the next generation feels seen, supported, and empowered.

Inspired by her own experiences growing up in an underserved community, Deolinda understands firsthand the challenges many students face—particularly those without access to strong mentorship or essential educational resources. With Next-Gen Navigators, she aims to bridge that gap by providing students with mentorship opportunities, mental health resources, and educational tools to help them succeed both in and beyond the classroom.

As part of this effort, she has officially launched the Miss Fall River Donation Drive. Now through the end of the school year, Deolinda will be collecting:

• School supplies

• Sensory tools

• Fidget items

• Stress relief resources

In Fall River, where over 70% of students are considered economically disadvantaged, the need for these materials is urgent—and the impact of a single donation can go a long way.

Deolinda is currently looking to partner with local small businesses that want to get involved. Whether you're interested in hosting a donation drop-off box, contributing items, or simply spreading the word, every bit of support helps.

If you're a business or individual looking to collaborate, you can reach out to Deolinda directly at deolindam123@gmail.com.

Together, we can help uplift the next generation of leaders—one backpack, notebook, and fidget tool at a time.