Today we’d like to introduce you to Candice Young
Hi Candice, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey began as a globally nomadic traveler in my 20s, immersing myself in diverse cultures and landscapes around the world. This lifestyle allowed me to experience profound perspective shifts and connect deeply with different communities. However, a pivotal moment came when I discovered an earthquake-stricken village called Langtang Valley in the Himalayas after the 2015 earthquake in Nepal. Witnessing the resilience and smiles of the people despite their immense losses was life-changing.
Inspired to help, I organized a personal fundraiser, inviting friends and family to support and join guided trips to the valley. Over eight months, we raised $50,000 and helped the village rebuild, including the complete reconstruction of a school from rubble. This experience ignited my vision to make it as easy as possible for others to take this fundraising model and apply it to any cause, anywhere.
In 2017, we evolved Trek Relief into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Los Angeles. Our mission is to connect active, adventurous travelers with communities in need through meaningful projects. We have organized trips to Nepal, Mongolia, Patagonia (Chile), and Peru, combining travel, volunteer work, and fundraising to make a positive impact. Over the past eight years, we’ve run 24 trips and raised over half a million dollars.
Trek Relief has now grown into a vibrant community and network of helpful travelers and alumni, building a movement of traveling with purpose. We also offer training modules for individuals to step into global leadership roles through travel, whether as leaders, program creators, or supporters.
This journey has been incredibly rewarding, both personally and in seeing the tangible difference that has been made. Traveling to different cultures and spending time in nature have fostered a sense of peace and gratitude, while working with like-minded individuals on meaningful projects has been deeply enriching. Trek Relief is more than an organization; it’s a community dedicated to making a positive difference in the world. We invite you to join us on our next compassionate journey.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Just like any entrepreneur’s journey, my path has been marked with many long days at the computer and a steep learning curve. Academically trained as a biologist, I had a lot to learn about fundraising, raising awareness through campaigns, creating video campaigns, making posts, building a website, and more. Every step was deeply enriching and rewarding because of the tangible difference we were able to make in Langtang Valley.
The sorrow and destruction I witnessed in the valley were fresh in my mind and heart. My lived experience staying with the survivors, allowed me to share their stories and the images I captured to fundraise and inspire others to join the cause. Learning to ask for money was not easy, but it came with many intangible and unexpected benefits.
One of the most profound outcomes was feeling supported by family, friends, and even friends of friends. It revealed how many angels we are surrounded by and fostered a deep sense of gratitude that has become a permanent part of my life. Fundraising is indeed a challenging journey, but it brings about so many wonderful outcomes, from building community to making a lasting impact.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I founded Trek Relief, an organization that combines active adventure travel with fundraising for projects in need. We specialize in organizing adventurous travel experiences and bringing people together under a shared vision. At Trek Relief, we’ve found the perfect crossroads of a win-win-win situation: you can have fun with new and old friends, explore the world immersed in deep nature, and help others simultaneously.
My journey began in my 20s, living, traveling, and working abroad in developing countries. This experience made me comfortable in diverse environments and ignited my passion for helping others. I spent over a year in Nepal, learning the language and traversing over 20 different treks in the Himalayas, accumulating over six months on the trail. This passion for trekking and for Nepal has made it a joy to share this country, culture, and the important projects with others.
In addition to my adventures, I worked as a Field Coordinator for a disaster relief organization called All Hands and Hearts. This role provided me with the experience and confidence needed to initially raise funds and organize the logistics for rebuilding homes and schools from rubble, in addition to organizing fundraising treks.
What sets me apart is recognizing how the cumulative sum of my experiences, passions, and connections can be harnessed to create something meaningful. This has resulted in a relentless dedication to the vision of making this fundraising and leadership model accessible to all. I am most proud of the life-changing experiences that our adventurers have had through Trek Relief, the tangible differences we’ve made in communities worldwide, and the vibrant, supportive community we’ve built.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
The success of Trek Relief is a collective effort, and many individuals deserve credit for their invaluable contributions.
Dr. Rob Williams: My original mentor, whom I met on a trail in a remote part of the Himalyas, played a pivotal role in the inception of Trek Relief. He taught me everything I needed to know to launch my initial campaign and helped film our first campaign video on the trail. Together, we came up with the name Trek Relief. Dr. Williams also served as the Founding Board President, providing guidance and support from the very beginning.
Sarah Nguyen: As our Chief Integration & Impact Officer, Sarah has been my right hand, refining our organization with the structure, technology, and implementation it has today. Her contributions have been crucial in shaping Trek Relief into what it is now.
Trek Relief Board Members, Program Directors, Team Leaders, Participants, Volunteers, Donors, and Fundraisers: The dedication and hard work of all our team members, volunteers, donors, and fundraisers have been instrumental in bringing our vision to life. Their commitment and passion have helped us make a tangible difference in communities worldwide.
My Parents: Their unwavering support has been a cornerstone of my journey. They provided me with the space and time needed to nurture and develop the vision of Trek Relief. Their belief in my mission has been a constant source of motivation and encouragement.
Each of these individuals and groups has played a crucial role in the success of Trek Relief, and I am deeply grateful for their support and contributions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://trekrelief.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trekrelief/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trekrelief/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/trekrelief
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1arGwGSDYzKMWJmalw4wVQ?view_as=subscriber
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/trek-relief-los-angeles
Image Credits
Candice Young
Sarah Nguyen
Belinda Man
Weston Boyles
