Incoming Student at University of Arizona

I started sewing the beginning of my senior year because I fell in love with scrunchies my freshmen year. I will be attending @universityofarizona this fall to study Animal Science. I decided to make masks with United We Mask because I see how much my community is struggling with getting masks, especially since we’re in a really small valley and have no places to get material.  This organization has helped me provide aid to essential workers in my community in need of masks. I also have a small business selling the creations I make @karens.customs and I will be posting all my progress on mask making at @k.a.r.e.n55

2nd Year UCLA Student, Biochemistry and Designer for FAST at UCLA

Outside of FAST, I volunteer with a student-led organization that provides free health services to underserved communities in Orange County and the Greater Los Angeles area who face health inequities and barriers. Due to this pandemic and stay-at-home order, we haven't been able to provide resources to them these past few months. Because of this, I felt stagnant and the inability to help in these circumstances until FAST decided to work with United We Mask in this amazing collective! This collaboration has given me the opportunity to blend my interests in health care and fashion together through sewing and donating masks with the ultimate goal of promoting good public health practices!

2nd Year UCLA Student, Finance Member for FAST at UCLA

I’m a second-year UCLA student and a Finance committee member for FAST at UCLA I decided to be a part of the United We Mask movement because it’s a great way to stay involved with FAST while giving back to my community. When the pandemic and stay-at-home orders began, I had to return to my home in New Jersey, on the opposite side of the country from the FAST community. I initially feared losing touch with them, but the partnership with United We Mask gave me a chance to stay connected. It allows me to use my creativity for a great cause, and to make the most of this uncertain situation to spread positivity. I’m excited to see what we will accomplish together.

3rd Year UCLA Student, Dance and Designer for FAST at UCLA

After seeing frontline workers put their own health on the line to help those affected by COVID-19, I knew that I wanted to find a way that I could support them. I decided to put my sewing ability to use to help those workers who help us feel a little more at ease during the pandemic.

2nd Year UCLA Student, Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics and Model for FAST at UCLA

I decided to join the United We Mask X FAST collective because I felt that I needed to use my privilege and time to give back to the community and the essential workers that are risking their lives to help others. I wasn't comfortable with knowing that I had to resources to help and not doing so.

UCLA Graduate, Events Member for FAST at UCLA

Whilst growing up in London, I’d sew my ballet shoes and add decorative pieces onto my tutus so having this opportunity to sew again for United We Mask brings back some nostalgia mixed with serenity and huge reward. I particularly enjoy that there’s a sense of human touch and love involved with making these masks because that’s what the community needs right now. It’s also heartbreaking to see essential workers wearing uncomfortable, mass produced masks 247 which leaves their skin feeling red and sore, so I only use the softest materials that are sustainable and most importantly, keeping you safe!

3rd Year UCLA Student, Math for Teaching and member of FAST at UCLA

I joined United We Mask x FAST collective in order to give back to those in my community, the transition back to school or back to work may cause uneasiness to those who cannot afford or cannot find masks. Being part of this movement allows me, as well as other involved, to donate masks to those who desperately are in need.

1st Year UCLA Student, Biology and Outreach member for FAST at UCLA

As a pre- med student and a fashion lover, I’ve always looked for ways to mesh all my passions into one. Being a part of FAST has allowed me to explore and bring out my wild, creative side. During this hard time, I wondered about what I could do to contribute to my community. When FAST announced they were partnering with United We Mask, I was ecstatic to be part of the Outreach Team!

4th Year UCLA Student, Communications and Vice President for FAST at UCLA

In times like these, it is important to help one another and to educate ourselves, both things that United We Mask is doing. As Vice President of FAST, I’m proud that part of our legacy will be the initiative we took to give back to our community.

My goal is to positively impact lives through everything I do in a fun, happy and accessible way. I do this by taking action on current issues through mediums including children’s books, websites, videos, graphics and community organizations. I’m from Orange County, CA and a senior at USC studying Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation. I have always loved expressing myself creatively through designing: user experiences, consumer products and community programming. Let’s Smile From Ear to Ear!

I think that now more than ever it’s important to take care of ourselves and each other. I believe in the power of community and how organizations like United We Mask can help people to safely navigate through these confusing and scary times! I hope to grow more empathetic to others and be able to help in anyway that I can.

I've always liked making crafts, and I've been knitting and crocheting for years. With COVID-19, and the need for masks, I decided it was a good time for me to learn to sew. I wanted to make masks for United We Mask because I saw that this was a way I could use my resources to help during this time, and I wanted to help make sure everyone had access to the masks they needed.

Sewing has always been a hobby of mine since high school, but I slowly drifted away from it once college started. During this difficult time, I found this as the perfect opportunity to return to sewing by making masks for United We Mask. Being also a worker in the medical field, I have seen the struggle of trying to provide care with the sudden reduction in supplies, and this further encouraged me to help. This organization allows me to do so by combining my passion for sewing and healthcare. 

I am a ex-Instagram and ex-Prada employee now incubating my zero waste fashion startup Shelly Xu Design at Harvard’s i-lab. This year, Shelly Xu Design became the first fashion brand to make finalist in Harvard's President's Innovation Challenge, the annual competition that brings together innovators from across all Harvard schools to tackle some of the world's most pressing problems. Shelly Xu Design uses zero fabric waste as the creative constraint and is researching clean technology as the means to scale. We want zero waste fashion to define the future of fashion. You can see more of our work at shellyxu.design or @ShellyXuDesign on Instagram.

Meghan He, 4th Year UCLA Student and President of FAST at UCLA

I joined United We Mask when the predominant public health concern shifted form PPE shortage to COVID-19 misinformation. During my work as a therapist and COVID-19 screener, I witnessed how digital misinformation disproportionately raised vaccine hesitancy and institutional distrust in underserved communities. It has been my goal to address the appropriately-coined “info-demic” with research-based education and the power of storytelling.

The Hope Pham Collection

“I have been sewing for two years, but I’ve always enjoyed clothing and interior designing. Once school courses went online, I began sewing face masks for donation with my extra time. When FAST connected with UnitedWeMask, this was the perfect opportunity for me to maintain a sustainable process of donating to local hospitals with the support of my community. I hope that my face mask designs will be enjoyed and well used! “ - Hope