Soul, Service, and Sustainability
There are many things you could say about Kayla Louissaint.
She’s a Movement Science (A.S.) major, supports children and adults with disabilities, leads children’s fitness classes, and is a former athlete, having played basketball both at Queensborough and in high school as part of the 2019 Long Island Class A Championship team.
But among them, one feature stands out: she manages a non-profit, SoulstainableNYC.
And as Louissaint reveals, there’s a bit of history behind it.
Following COVID in 2021, Louissaint was struggling to keep her mental health afloat. As such, she started going on what she refers to as “Gratitude Walks” where she would deliberately spend time outdoors, expressing gratitude, and capturing the beauty of nature.
“Those walks grounded me, and I decided to share my photos on Instagram along with positive and spiritual messages.”
The name of that page? SoulstainableNYC.
However, it wasn’t until the summer of 2023 following Louissaint’s time at the SUNY Albany 2023 Summer STEM Internship Program that SoulstainableNYC as it exists today took shape.
During this time, Louissaint learned technical skills related to clean energy and sustainability through conducting research, creating presentations and partnering with the University on environmental and community-focused projects. The program also introduced her to AR and VR technology, giving her the opportunity to design digital and 3D models to promote sustainable practices, going so far as to even build entire virtual worlds centered around sustainability; as well as teaching her about social and emotional learning and leadership.
This experience proved to be revelatory for her — one that would alter the course of both her brand and Louissaint herself.
“[That’s when] everything clicked. I realized there was a natural bridge between soul and sustainability — caring for yourself, caring for the earth, and caring for your community all go hand in hand. That’s when SoulstainableNYC evolved from just a photo page into a growing initiative that encourages spiritual wellness, environmental awareness, and community service.”
“I realized how important it is for young people to step up and create solutions within their own communities,” she added.
And taking those words to heart, she started a Thanksgiving Food Drive this year — an effort inspired in part by her childhood.
“I grew up in communities where resources weren’t always accessible, and I know how far something as simple as a meal can go. With everything happening economically and socially, I felt led by God to act immediately. Instead of waiting for someone else to do it, the food drive became a way to serve families directly and remind people that they are seen, supported, and loved.”
This marks the first food drive she’s managed, but she is by no means a spring chicken when it comes to community service — she’s volunteered at numerous pantries and outreach events for the Queens and Long Island community in the past.
And “first” really is the operative word here, because she wants this drive to be the first of many.
“My goal is to make this an annual event and expand into other forms of community service, like clothing drives, youth workshops, and STEM & sustainability education programs.”
Before she expands, however, Louissaint needs to graduate (spring ‘26) — and unsurprisingly, her academic plans are as illustrious as her philanthropic ones: transfer to a four-year institution to major in Exercise Science and earn her bachelors. With her interest in Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy, she hopes to continue her education in a way that allows her to work closely with athletes, rehabilitation patients, and underserved communities.
And her endgame? Combine the two.
“My goal is to combine my movement-science background with community-focused service so I can make a meaningful impact on both health and wellness.”
In the meantime, before she’s ready to take the world by storm, Louissaint hopes her community service will serve as inspiration for others locally.
“If you’ve ever felt hesitant about starting something that could help others — do it. Whether it’s a business, a fundraiser, a community project, or a course you’ve been thinking about offering, step out in faith and make that move. You never know who is praying for the very thing you’ve been called to create.”
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