Akayla Brown, a teenager from West Philadelphia, was just 13 years old when she knew she wanted to help her fellow peers around her.

A few years later, she became a Howard University student who is still on a mission to help the city she grew up in.

Brown, along with other volunteers, founded Dimplez 4 Dayz, a nonprofit organization that has helped over 5,000 Philadelphia residents, from school supply giveaways, to food drives, and youth mentorship programs.

She continues to perform countless programs and workshops to help the city’s youth.

Dimplez 4 Dayz recently announced that they have partnered with The Philadelphia Zoo to showcase a new Summer youth program for children who are interested in Zoology and wildlife education.

Children between the ages of 11-18 years old will be able to participate in learning about wildlife nutrition, animal engagement, and spend one-on-one time with zookeepers on the site.

“From July 12 to August 23, for the first time ever, The Philadelphia Zoo is partnering with Dimplez 4 Dayz resource center to bring a summer program to the youth of the city,” the organization said in a statement.

Around 20 youth are participating in the summer program. The nonprofit organization stated that older children have been acting as mentors to help the organization care for the children.

“This collaboration means a lot to the youth residents in Mantua. They often ride, bike, or walk past without entering or knowing the value of the Zoo being in their backyards,” said Angela Richardson, Executive Director of Dimplez 4 Dayz. “This partnership bridges the gap between access to programs, employment, and education, adding value and purpose that will last a lifetime.”

The Philadelphia Zoo stated that it will also act as a safe haven for children involved in the program.

“The Philadelphia Zoo is thrilled to partner with Dimplez 4 Dayz. They are a hard-working, compassionate group reaching out into their local community to provide safe spaces and educational programming for young adults. This is a shared vision among our two organizations and we are so excited to create this opportunity for youth in West Philadelphia. Together we can inspire the next generation of conservationists.” Bethany Housman, Director of School and Community Partnerships at the Philadelphia Zoo said.

Dimplez 4 Dayz has also been an empowering organization for Philadelphia youth throughout the Summer.

Last Fall, Brown opened a resource center dedicated to children who want to stay out of the streets.