Board of Directors and Chief Technology Officer at Synap Kids
Braeden Belvedere is a distinguished member of the Board of Directors and serves as the Chief Technology Officer at Synap Kids. He has established himself as a leading activist in the field of Pediatric Neurology.
Youth-Led. Brain-Forward.
Every child deserves to understand their brain and own their story
Synap Kids is a youth-led initiative advancing pediatric brain health through education, storytelling, and advocacy — making neuroscience accessible and empowering for every child.
Understanding the amygdala helps us respond to anxious children with more empathy and less frustration.
Parenting4 min read
Five Ways to Talk to Your Child About Big Feelings
Simple, science-backed conversation starters that build emotional vocabulary and trust between parent and child.
Mindfulness3 min read
Breathing Exercises That Actually Work for Kids
Four evidence-based techniques adapted for children ages 5–12, with tips on making them stick as daily habits.
Get Involved
This movement is youth-led. Join us.
Whether you want to start a chapter, join one nearby, or step into national leadership — there is a place for you in the pediatric brain health movement.
Start a Chapter
Launch Synap Kids in your school or community
Apply now →
Executive Team
Join national leadership — open to under 25s
Apply now →
Join a Chapter
Find an existing chapter near you and volunteer
Find one →
Why It Matters
Mental health is a child's right
Neurological literacy starts young — and it changes everything. The earlier children understand their brains, the more resilient, curious, and empowered they become.
Explore resources tailored for children, families, and educators. Every topic is rooted in pediatric neuroscience and age-appropriate advocacy.
01 — Brain & Anxiety
Brain & Anxiety
Learn how the brain processes worry and stress, and discover tools to build resilience and self-awareness.
02 — Emotions
Sadness & the Brain
Explore how the brain responds to loss and sadness, and discover ways to support children through grief.
03 — Regulation
Emotions & Regulation
Understand what the brain does when it's overwhelmed, and find healthy ways to channel and regulate intense emotions.
04 — Social Brain
Friendship & Connection
Explore the neuroscience of social connection and build the brain skills behind empathy, friendship, and communication.
05 — Identity
Identity & the Brain
Learn how the brain builds identity and confidence, and discover how neurological self-knowledge shapes resilience.
06 — Focus
Brain-Based Mindfulness
Simple brain-based practices that strengthen attention, regulate the nervous system, and build focus.
Featured Guide
The Big Feelings Toolkit
Our most-used resource — a comprehensive illustrated guide for children ages 6–12 covering brain health basics, neurological self-awareness, and advocacy.
Research-backed articles written for parents, educators, and anyone who cares about children's brain health. Plain language, real neuroscience.
Browse
All articles
Showing 12 articles
Our Story
We believe every child deserves to flourish
Born from a belief that every child deserves to understand their own brain, Synap Kids bridges the gap between neuroscience research and the children and families who need it most.
Our Mission
Where neuroscience meets childhood
We started Synap Kids because groundbreaking research in pediatric brain health wasn't reaching the children and families who needed it most. Our mission is to make neuroscience accessible, human-centered, and empowering — for every child, everywhere.
We believe every child deserves the tools to understand their own brain, build neurological literacy, and become an advocate for their own health. That belief shapes everything we create.
We create resources with radical inclusivity — every child deserves support, regardless of background, ability, or circumstance.
Evidence-Based, Always
Everything we create is rooted in peer-reviewed neuroscience and reviewed by licensed pediatric health professionals.
Joy Is the Gateway
Learning about the brain should feel exciting, not clinical. We use creativity, play, and storytelling to translate complex science into something every child can own.
Families First
We partner with parents and caregivers because the home environment is the most powerful learning space a child will ever know.
Our Team
Built by young people, for young people
Synap Kids is proudly youth-led. From our national executive board to our chapter presidents on the ground — the people closest to the problem are leading the solution.
Youth-Led Organization
Over 85% of our leadership is under 25 years old.
We believe young people should lead the pediatric brain health movement — not just participate in it.
Three Tiers of Leadership
Our structure is simple: a national Executive Board sets strategy, General Members do the programmatic work, and Chapter Presidents lead on the ground in their communities. Every role matters equally.
4
Executive Board members guiding national strategy
9
General Members powering programs & content
47
Chapter Presidents leading locally across 12 states
Section 01
Executive Board
The four-person board responsible for organizational strategy, partnerships, and national direction. They set the vision — the rest of the team makes it real.
4 Members
MC
Founder
Adi Veluvolu
Founder & CEO & Board Director
Licensed child psychologist turned nonprofit founder. Started Synap Kids at 24 with a mission to make pediatric brain health research accessible to the children and communities who need it most.
Founded at age 24
AT
Age 22
Prerana Bandaru
Board Director & COO
College junior managing day-to-day operations across all 47 chapters. Joined as a chapter leader at 19 and grew into the national ED role by 21.
Age 22
JP
Age 20
Harshika Lekkela
Board Director & CFO
Sophomore at Howard University running all external communications. Built our social presence from 0 to 80k followers in two years.
Age 20
Age 23
Braeden Belvedere
CTO & Trustee
Braeden Belvedere is a central leader for Synap Kids, serving as a Board Member, Chief Technology Officer, and President of the North American Chapter.
Section 02
General Members
Clinicians, researchers, educators, and creatives who develop our programs, review our content, and power our day-to-day work.
9 Members
AH
Clinical
Dr. Amir Hassan
Clinical Director
Child & adolescent psychiatrist specializing in anxiety, ADHD, and trauma-informed care. Ensures all our content meets rigorous clinical standards.
LO
Clinical
Dr. Leila Okonkwo
Licensed Family Therapist
Brings family systems therapy to every resource. Believes healing happens best in community, not isolation.
JR
Research
Dr. James Rivera
Pediatric Neuroscientist
Translates cutting-edge brain science into age-appropriate content. Believes every child is a natural scientist of their own mind.
SN
Research
Dr. Sophie Nakamura
Developmental Psychologist
Studies emotional regulation across development stages. Her research directly informs our content for each age band.
ST
Education
Sam Torres
Head of Education Programs
Junior at Michigan State designing our K-12 curriculum. Piloted the first Synap Kids school program in Pontiac, MI.
MW
Education
Marcus Webb
School Curriculum Specialist
Former school counselor building classroom-ready programs that teachers genuinely love to use.
GK
Education
Grace Kimani
Early Childhood Educator
Specializes in social-emotional learning for ages 3–7. Makes big concepts tangible and fun for little ones.
PP
Creative
Priya Patel
Creative Director
Design student creating the visual identity of Synap Kids. Former chapter member who found her voice through our programs.
DO
Operations
Dana Osei
Director of Operations
Keeps everything running on time and on budget. Making sure the mission translates into real action every day.
Section 03
Chapter Presidents
Youth leaders who founded and run active Synap Kids chapters in their communities. Each one is the face of this mission where it matters most — on the ground.
12 Chapters Shown
ST
Sofia Tran
Pontiac Community Chapter
Pontiac, MI
K–8Founded 2024Age 20
KJ
Kofi Jackson
Detroit Metro Chapter
Detroit, MI
High School4 SchoolsAge 22
LM
Lucia Mendez
Houston Heights Chapter
Houston, TX
All AgesWorkshopsAge 21
DW
DeShawn Williams
Chicago South Side Chapter
Chicago, IL
Elementary3 CPS SchoolsAge 23
AN
Aisha Nakamura
Oakland Unified Chapter
Oakland, CA
K–12BilingualAge 24
TP
Tariq Patterson
Atlanta Youth Chapter
Atlanta, GA
Youth-LedSummer CampAge 20
RO
Remi Okafor
Columbus Central Chapter
Columbus, OH
Middle SchoolFounded 2023Age 19
ZH
Zara Hussain
Brooklyn Bridges Chapter
Brooklyn, NY
K–82 SchoolsAge 22
CL
Carlos Leal
Miami Shores Chapter
Miami, FL
BilingualWorkshopsAge 21
NB
Nia Brooks
Phoenix Desert Chapter
Phoenix, AZ
All AgesFounded 2024Age 23
MK
Marcus Kim
Seattle Eastside Chapter
Seattle, WA
High SchoolPeer MentoringAge 20
FD
Fatima Diallo
Nashville Harmony Chapter
Nashville, TN
ElementaryFounded 2025Age 19
35 more chapters across 12 states
Every chapter president starts the same way — by applying. Could the next one be you?
From school curricula to community workshops to advocacy training, Synap Kids runs programs that bring pediatric brain health education to children wherever they are.
Our Programs
Six ways we advance brain health
Flagship
Synap Kids School Program
A semester-long curriculum delivered inside partner schools by trained chapter leaders. Covers pediatric brain health, neuroscience literacy, and advocacy for grades K–8.
Ages 5–14In-Person8 Weeks
Community
Family Wellness Workshops
Free two-hour workshops held in libraries, community centers, and faith spaces. Parents and children explore brain science together — building shared knowledge and reducing stigma around brain conditions.
All AgesIn-PersonFree
Digital
Online Resource Hub
A growing library of downloadable guides, activity sheets, and video lessons — free for any child, parent, or educator anywhere in the world, at any time.
Self-PacedOnlineAlways Free
Peer Support
Youth Peer Mentor Program
High school students trained as brain health peer advocates for middle schoolers. Mentors receive 12 hours of neuroscience and advocacy training with ongoing supervision.
Ages 12–18In-PersonYear-Round
Educator
Teacher Training Institute
A one-day professional development program equipping teachers with neuroscience literacy and brain-informed classroom practices for pediatric health.
Educators1-Day PDCertificate
Summer
Summer Wellness Camp
A week-long summer day camp where children ages 8–14 explore brain health, neuroscience storytelling, and advocacy through art, movement, and structured reflection.
Ages 8–14SummerIn-Person
Our Impact
Numbers that matter
Every number here is a real child, a real family, a real step toward a more brain-literate world.
8,200+
Children directly served through our programs
47
Active chapters running programs nationwide
340+
Educators trained in our institute
96%
Of families report improved communication after workshops
Voices
What families are saying
My daughter used to shut down whenever she felt overwhelmed. After the school program, she started naming her feelings out loud. That is huge for us.
Parent, Detroit
Synap Kids School Program
I went in skeptical — another wellness thing. I left with real tools I actually use with my students. The training is practical, not fluffy.
5th Grade Teacher, Chicago
Teacher Training Institute
Being a peer mentor changed me more than I expected. I learned as much as the kids I was supporting, maybe more.
High School Peer Mentor, Austin
Youth Peer Mentor Program
Get Involved
Ready to join the movement?
Whether you want to start a chapter, join one, or step into a leadership role — there is a place for you here. Choose what fits you best below.
Choose Your Path
How do you want to get involved?
Start a Chapter Application
We review every application within 5 business days and follow up personally. Takes about 10 minutes.
Step 1 of 3 — About You
About You
Your Community
Your Vision
0 / 500
Application Received!
Thank you for applying. Our team will reach out within 5 business days to schedule your intro call.
Browse active chapters and request to join as a volunteer, member, or peer mentor.
Michigan
Pontiac Community Chapter
Serving K–8 students at Jefferson Elementary and Lincoln Middle School. Active since 2024.
In-PersonK–8Recruiting
Michigan
Detroit Metro Chapter
Running the peer mentor program across 4 Detroit high schools. Looking for college volunteers.
High SchoolPeer MentoringRecruiting
Texas
Houston Heights Chapter
Family wellness workshops every other Saturday at the Heights Community Library. All ages welcome.
WorkshopsAll AgesRecruiting
Illinois
Chicago South Side Chapter
School program running in 3 CPS elementary schools. Seeking education volunteers and curriculum helpers.
In-PersonElementaryRecruiting
California
Oakland Unified Chapter
Embedded in Oakland Unified School District serving 6 schools. Seeking bilingual volunteers (Spanish/English).
K–12BilingualRecruiting
Georgia
Atlanta Youth Chapter
Youth-only leadership team running summer camp and peer mentor programs across metro Atlanta.
Youth-LedSummerRecruiting
No chapters foundNo chapter matches that search yet — but you could be the first!
Don't see your area? Start a chapter and become the first leader in your community.
Get Help
You are not alone. We are here.
Whether you are a child curious about their brain, a parent seeking guidance, or an educator looking for resources — we are ready to help.
Let's connect
Reaching out takes courage. No question is too small, no feeling too big.
hello@synapkids.org
(800) 555-MIND
Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm EST
In crisis? Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) — available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Or text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.
Send us a message
We read every message and respond within two business days.
Crisis Resources
Need help right now?
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out immediately. Help is always available.
988
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 any time, day or night. Free, confidential support for people in distress.
741741
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. Available 24 hours via text.
Find a
Therapist Near You
Use the Psychology Today therapist finder to locate licensed child therapists in your area.
All Chapters
Find a chapter near you
47 active chapters across 12 states — run by young leaders making a real difference in their communities. Search, explore, and connect.
No chapters found
No results match your search. Try different filters — or start a chapter yourself!
Every dollar goes directly toward free resources, school programs, and training for the young leaders running this movement. 100% of donations fund programs.
$15
provides a full activity kit for one child
$50
trains one peer mentor for a full semester
$200
funds one family wellness workshop
$500
launches a brand new chapter in a community
Choose Your Impact
Every gift makes a real difference
Pick a giving tier below, or enter a custom amount. All donations are tax-deductible. We are a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
$15
Friend
Provides one child with a full activity kit and emotion journal.
Most Popular
$50
Supporter
Trains one peer mentor, supporting dozens of younger students for a full semester.
$200
Champion
Funds an entire family wellness workshop for 20+ parents and kids in the community.
$500
Founder
Launches a brand new chapter — covering training, materials, and first-year support.
Custom amount
$
💙 Monthly giving allows us to plan programs further ahead and serve more children. You can cancel any time.
Your donation
$50/one-time
Secured by 256-bit SSL encryption. Your card is never stored.
Synap Kids is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. EIN 12-3456789. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.
Thank you so much!
A receipt is on its way to your inbox. Your generosity makes this work possible.
Why It Matters
Your dollars at work
100%
Goes to Programs
Administrative costs are covered by separate foundation grants, so every dollar you give funds direct services.
8,200+
Children Served
Donors like you have helped us reach thousands of children with free brain health education, resources, and advocacy programs.
501(c)(3)
Tax-Deductible
Synap Kids is a registered nonprofit. Every gift is fully tax-deductible and comes with an official receipt.
Corporate Sponsorship
Partner with us to invest in kids' brain health
Sponsoring Synap Kids puts your brand behind a movement that reaches thousands of children, educators, and families. Choose a tier — or work with us to build something custom.
Every tier comes with meaningful visibility and a direct line to the children, families, and educators we serve. All sponsorships run on an annual basis.
Community
$1,000
/year
Logo in our monthly newsletter
Social media shoutout (1×)
Sponsor listing on our website
Annual impact report
Champion
$5,000
/year
Everything in Community, plus:
Logo on all chapter materials
Quarterly social features (4×)
Named sponsor of one program
Certificate of partnership
Mid-year impact call with our team
Most Popular
Partner
$15,000
/year
Everything in Champion, plus:
Named sponsor of an entire chapter
Logo on all printed materials & kits
Monthly social features (12×)
Speaking slot at annual summit
Bi-annual meetings with exec board
Co-branded press release
Founding Partner
$50,000+
/year · custom terms
Everything in Partner, plus:
"Presented by" naming rights
Seat on our Advisory Council
Custom co-branded program
Dedicated account manager
Quarterly exec board briefings
Custom impact report with your logo
Benefit
Community
Champion
Partner
Founding
Sponsorship Inquiry
We respond to all inquiries within 2 business days.
Inquiry Received!
Our partnerships team will be in touch within 2 business days to schedule a call.
Why Synap Kids
What your sponsorship stands for
Authentic CSR
Pediatric brain health is one of the defining challenges of our time. Aligning your brand here is meaningful, credible, and deeply relevant to employees, customers, and communities.
Real Visibility
From classrooms to social media to our national summit, your brand appears in spaces that matter — reaching parents, educators, community leaders, and young people directly.
Youth Connection
Our audience skews young — the very generation that cares deeply about brand values. Sponsoring Synap Kids signals that your organization walks the walk, not just talks the talk.
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Age 23