Spotlight of the Week: Brandy Jemczura

This week, we recognize Brandy Jemczura, a licensed social worker, educator, and founder of Seeds of Caring, a Columbus-based nonprofit that is reshaping how young children engage with their communities through service and empathy.

Brandy’s inspiration came from personal experience. As a mother of young children, she noticed a lack of meaningful volunteer opportunities that included kids. Rather than accept that gap, she created a solution. In 2016, she launched Seeds of Caring to help children ages 2 to 12 grow into kind, community-minded individuals who don’t just witness problems, they take action to solve them.

With her background in education, social work, and nonprofit leadership, Brandy built Seeds of Caring on the belief that children learn best through hands-on experiences and thoughtful reflection. The organization develops age-appropriate service projects that address real social issues like hunger, poverty, and homelessness while nurturing empathy, awareness, and leadership.

Since its founding, Seeds of Caring has partnered with over 40 local nonprofits, including Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Goodwill and has reached more than 91,000 children. Each program is designed not just to involve children, but to center their voices, questions, and efforts. For example, a food drive might include a discussion on food insecurity and how families can support one another, empowering even the youngest participants to understand the “why” behind their service.

Brandy explains, “I wanted my own children, and all children to grow up believing that if they see something wrong in the world, they have the power to change it.”

Her work continues to inspire families, schools, and communities across Ohio and beyond. Whether she’s leading a project, mentoring parents and educators, or encouraging a child to take that first step toward kindness, Brandy Jemczura is making an indelible impact.