Colors4Change Brightens West Windsor Community through Equitable Repurposing of Art Supplies

Colors4Change, a non-profit with an expanding chapter in New Jersey, is transforming equitable access to art materials while promoting environmental sustainability. Originally formed in Illinois by Anaisa Acharya, the organization discovered that over 100 million crayons are discarded annually by chain restaurants. Since these crayons are made from paraffin wax—a non-biodegradable by-product of petroleum—they contribute to environmental pollution. Colors4Change has tackled this issue by repurposing nearly 4000 pounds of art supplies since its inception, making a lasting impact not just in Illinois but also in New Jersey, particularly in West Windsor.

The New Jersey chapter, composed of president Zeeshan Sharriff and vice presidents, Neel Bapat, Siri Tailigiri, Nikeeta Khurana, and Eliana Sun, has served Colors4Change for the past four years. This past summer, the New Jersey chapter partnered with local YMCA chapters to donate art supplies for ongoing use, ensuring that students enrolled in YMCA programs have consistent access to creative resources. These supplies were also donated to the West Windsor Arts Council for their annual summer camp. From June to August, the NJ chapter received over 100 pounds of supplies from various local benefactors. They are also collaborating with elementary, middle, and high schools to repurpose classroom materials. In April, they partnered with the local high school’s art club to host an art drive, furthering their goal of promoting sustainability and equitable access to art materials. In August, they broadened their efforts internationally, partnering with the Peace Corps and international volunteers from South America. New Jersey President, Zeeshan Shariff, states that “In the future, we want to continue the legacy of service and advocacy and expand our reach to more underserved facilities across the nation.”

In West Windsor, where academic rigor is highly emphasized, Colors4Change recognizes the importance of promoting mental health through art. Art has proven benefits in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, making it a valuable tool for student well-being. By collecting and repurposing art supplies such as crayons, colored pens, and markers, Colors4Change is not only reducing environmental waste but also fostering creative expression in youth, allowing the West Windsor community to add color and light to their lives, even in dark times.

If you are interested in learning more, or in donating art supplies, visit colors4change.org, contact colors4change@gmail.com, or drop off supplies directly at 61 Devonshire Drive, Princeton NJ.