The Teen Space You Didn’t Know You Needed

December 09, 2025

Nisha Evangelista is a student at the Bergen County Academies and the founder of The Teenspace, a youth-led organization that promotes mental health awareness and creative expression. She believes that creativity has the power to heal and hopes to inspire others to embrace their voices. When she’s not studying or volunteering, she enjoys singing, writing, and spending time with the people she loves.

This story took place in United States

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Nisha Evangelista, Founder of The TeenSpace (right), is holding some of the care packages she created with Shreya Aby (Founder of Project Shelterway) for their collaboration to donate hygiene-product care packages to homeless teens.

The Teenspace is a peer-led organization empowering teens to express themselves, build community, and prioritize mental health.

I was never bored as a kid, not because I had toys, but because the world offered endless ways to create, explore, and connect. My restlessness translated into drawings, songs, poems, and letters. It translated to striving to raise my hand in class, earning stickers for my own fulfillment, and making new friends. It translated to hugs and deep conversations with the people that I loved. Little did I know that I was building my own space at a very young age. Those experiences and my fundamental understanding of the importance of creative outlets grew into TeenSpace.

What is The TeenSpace?
The Teenspace is a peer-led organization for adolescents, designed by teens for teens. It addresses challenges that many traditional programs overlook: navigating social media pressures, balancing school and personal growth, and finding genuine understanding among peers. Teenspace provides outlets where young people can share experiences, build resilience, and feel truly supported.

Creative Expression as Healing
One of Teenspace’s core features is creative expression. Through art nights, music showcases, and miscellaneous workshops, teens are encouraged to explore emotions and identity in ways that feel natural and empowering. These activities aren’t just about creativity, they’re a form of therapy, helping participants process feelings, gain confidence, and connect with peers facing similar experiences. Sharing art or stories becomes a way to inspire, validate, and uplift others in the community.

(A photo of The TeenSpace President and NJ Director with Project Shelterway members at Covenant House/Nancy’s Place in Montclair.)

“Your Space. Your Voice.”
Our motto, “Your Space. Your Voice,” reflects The TeenSpace’s mission, reminding everyone that their feelings are valid, their stories matter, and they are never alone.
Our biweekly podcast, released every other Saturday, features expert interviews, teen-led discussions, and solo episodes diving deep into mental health topics. Our monthly newsletter highlights stories of resilience, tips for self-care, and resources for teens seeking guidance, giving young people both a platform and the knowledge to navigate life’s challenges.

(The TeenSpace’s card-writing event on October 1st in which they handed out candy to participants who wrote meaningful letters and cards for their care packages.)

From Awareness to Action
Teenspace doesn’t stop at conversation. We organize initiatives like care kit drives, letter-writing campaigns, community events, and walkathons to raise awareness and funds for teen mental health. These projects empower teens to see the impact they can make when they combine creativity, passion, and community. We’ve already expanded our organization to impact teens in other areas outside of New Jersey in places like New York and Minnesota.

(The TeenSpace’s care packages from their event, Project Hope in a Bag. They donated over 50 care packages to Covenant House, a local homeless shelter in New Jersey.)

In the long term, our goal is to ensure teens have access to personalized, preventative mental health support. We envision a world where young people feel seen, supported, and capable of navigating life’s ups and downs. Teenspace shows that success isn’t about having all the answers, but it’s about showing up, listening, and creating a space where teens can grow together.

In a world where teen struggles are often invisible, The Teenspace reminds young people: you are heard, your voice matters, and you are not alone.

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