Meet Ariela Tejada, President & Co-Founder
Meet Ariela Tejada
President & Co-Founder, Meds4Kidz Foundation
“This foundation is deeply personal to me. It isn’t just something I did while growing up, it’s a lifelong commitment, and I plan to continue fighting for these children and carrying this mission forward for the rest of my life.”
Click to watch: A personal message from Ariela Tejada, President
Growing Up Inside the Foundation
My name is Ariela Tejada. I am 18 years old, and Meds4Kidz has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up watching my family build this foundation taught me the value of giving back from a very young age.
Even though I was young when Meds4Kidz first started, I practically grew up inside the foundation, and its mission was instilled in me every step of the way. Over the years, that early experience turned into a genuine drive to take action. As I stepped into leadership roles as Vice President and now President, I worked to expand our reach through new initiatives. I spearheaded annual Christmas drives to bring holiday joy to impoverished children in our community of South Florida, started back-to-school efforts to provide local underprivileged students with essential school supplies, and created our Big Buddy program—pairing volunteers with kids who are here without their parents to offer tutoring, mentorship, and friendship so they never have to feel alone.
This foundation is deeply personal to me. It isn’t just something I did while growing up, it’s a lifelong commitment, and I plan to continue fighting for these children and carrying this mission forward for the rest of my life.
Delivering Smiles Directly to Local Children
Under Ariela’s leadership, Meds4Kidz turns community contributions into direct hands-on impact. Each winter, Ariela mobilizes volunteers and personally coordinates holiday gift distributions across South Florida—ensuring pediatric shelter residents, crisis care facilities, and local underserved children receive customized holiday packages filled with brand-new toys, warm essentials, and seasonal joy.
Initiatives Spearheaded Under Ariela’s Leadership
Expanding the foundation’s footprint through targeted local programs across South Florida alongside our ongoing international mission in Bolivia.
South Florida
The Big Buddy Program
Created and launched by Ariela to support unaccompanied youth and minors living in South Florida without their parents. The program pairs trained youth volunteers 1-on-1 with children to provide weekly academic tutoring, ESL language assistance, and compassionate friendship so no child navigates life alone.
Bilingual Tutoring
Unaccompanied Youth
nAnnual Fall Drive
Back-to-School Supply Drives
An annual local mobilization providing brand new backpacks, STEM calculators, notebooks, and essential school supplies to underserved students across South Florida. By eliminating material hurdles, the drive equips students to enter the classroom on day one with confidence, dignity, and readiness to excel.
K-12 Outreach
Title 1 Support
300+ Children Gifted
Annual Holiday Drives & Angel Tree
Spearheaded seasonal gift drives across South Florida, coordinating online community registries on Amazon and Target alongside local Angel Tree adoptions. Each winter, more than 300 children in pediatric shelters, crisis centers, and low-income households receive customized holiday gifts and warm seasonal care.
Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Bolivia Pediatric Medical Shipments
Safeguarding Meds4Kidz’s foundational international pipeline by sustaining shipments of specialized pharmaceuticals, anticonvulsants, and medical nutrition to El Hogar de Dios in Bolivia—a shelter caring for children afflicted with severe neurological conditions, cerebral palsy, and physical disabilities.
Specialized Pharmaceuticals
Hogar de Dios
Serving Since Childhood: Hurricane Irma Relief
Ariela’s dedication to community service began long before stepping into the presidency. In 2017, in the devastating wake of Hurricane Irma, young Ariela and Daniela mobilized South Florida neighbors, filled supply boxes, and rented a 26-foot U-Haul truck to personally deliver relief supplies to displaced families in Marathon and across the Florida Keys.
7+ Years Dedicated Leadership
The Guatemalan-Maya Center (Centro Maya Guatemalteco)
Palm Beach County & South Florida Community Partner
“Ariela has volunteered with our nonprofit for over 7 years consistently demonstrating reliability, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to uplifting her community. She is often the first to offer help, approaching every task with humility and excellence. Her service is deeply rooted in love for the people and a strong sense of responsibility to give back to a community that she loves.”
“Ariela exemplifies resilience, cultural pride, and a deep commitment to justice… and I give her my strongest possible recommendation.”
Director of Operations • The Guatemalan-Maya Center, Inc.
Annual Holiday Toy & Joy Drive Gallery
Personal deliveries, smiling children, and hands-on community care led by Ariela Tejada across South Florida.
Mobilizing Holiday Care
Ariela overseeing the loading and logistics of our moving truck packed with holiday packages for local families.
Delivering Bright Smiles
Personal gift presentations ensuring each child receives their wish-list toys and seasonal warmth.
Maternal & Infant Support
Reaching underserved indigenous families and mothers with essential holiday packages and infant supplies.
Grassroots Community Spirit
Ariela and Alejandra Tejada delivering oversized gift sacks directly to enthusiastic children.
Youth Mentorship in Action
Pairing student volunteers with young boys and unaccompanied youth to build friendship and confidence.
Teen & Youth Outreach
Expanding holiday gifts and mentorship to adolescents and older children in crisis shelters.
Support Our Mission & Community Programs
100% of donations go directly to purchasing medicines, educational supplies, and essential support for children in need.