We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Candice Young. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Candice below.

Candice, appreciate you joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

From Idea to Execution: How Trek Relief Was Born

The journey to founding Trek Relief didn’t start with a business plan—it started with a backpack, a sense of adventure, and a desire to make a difference.

After graduating from college, I spent years backpacking through Southeast Asia, funding my travels by working as a Fisheries Observer on commercial fishing boats in Alaska. It was an unconventional lifestyle, but one that fueled my love for exploration, connection, and new experiences.

Along the way, I sought out volunteering opportunities and eventually worked with the disaster relief organization All Hands, where I was introduced to the nonprofit world and post-disaster reconstruction in Nepal after the devastating 2015 earthquake. When that project ended, I set off to trek in the Himalayas, exploring Langtang Valley—a place I had heard was beautiful but had been profoundly affected by the disaster.

The Moment That Changed Everything

What I found in Langtang Valley shook me to my core. Entire villages had been wiped off the map, and the survivors—who had lost everything—were receiving very little aid. The devastation was worse than I had imagined, and it was clear that this community needed not only funds to rebuild but also a revival of tourism, which was their economic backbone.

For 10 days, I trekked through the valley, witnessing the destruction, hearing survivors’ stories, and feeling an overwhelming urge to take action. That’s when an idea took hold:

What if I could raise funds for Langtang by inviting people to see it for themselves?

I decided that for every $1,000 donated, I would help organize a guided and portered trek for donors to visit Langtang. This would serve a dual purpose—raising critical funds for rebuilding while also bringing much-needed tourism back to the valley, giving locals the income and hope they desperately needed.

The Conversation That Launched It All

While staying in a teahouse along the trek, I shared my idea with a fellow traveler I had just met—Dr. Rob Williams, a professor who, by pure chance, taught crowdfunding and entrepreneurship.

He immediately saw the potential and, over the course of a week of trekking together, gave me a crash course in crowdfunding—essentially condensing an entire semester into our long walks through the mountains. Then, he challenged me to raise $50,000.

I was daunted, but something inside me knew it was possible. I had the tools, the motivation, and, most importantly, a cause that deeply mattered.

Turning an Idea Into Action

The next step? Just start.

– I posted on Facebook, sharing photos of Langtang and announcing my fundraiser.
– I offered to help donors set up their own fundraising pages to expand our reach.
– I publicly thanked every donor, tagged them, and encouraged shares.
– I kept sharing updates and impact stories, making people feel invested in the mission.

What followed was eight months of relentless effort—constant outreach, engagement, and storytelling. Then, the moment arrived:

We hit our $50,000 goal.

A Turning Point: The Birth of Trek Relief as a Nonprofit

That moment was life-changing—not just because we had raised the funds, but because I realized something bigger:

– This model could work anywhere.
– If I could do it, others could too.
– It could be systemized and replicated worldwide.

I saw the potential for a movement—one where travelers could easily engage with the places they visited, give back in meaningful ways, and even create their own impact programs. That’s when I knew:

This should be more than just an individual fundraiser—it could be a nonprofit.

Scaling Impact: 8 Years Later

What started as a one-time effort for Langtang has now grown into Trek Relief, a nonprofit operating now in Patagonia, Mongolia, and Peru—all led by people who first joined our treks, saw the model, and created their own programs.

Looking back, this journey wasn’t just about starting a nonprofit—it was about following an undeniable call to action, stepping into the unknown, and realizing that with the right tools, support, and belief, anyone can create impact.

That’s why we do what we do—to make it as easy as possible for travelers to engage deeply with the places they explore, take meaningful action, and discover their own path to purpose.

Candice, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Candice, the founder of Trek Relief, a nonprofit dedicated to redefining travel as a force for good. We believe that adventure has the power to create meaningful change—not just for the people who embark on these journeys, but for the communities they touch along the way. Our treks combine exploration, impact, and leadership, offering travelers the opportunity to directly support community-led initiatives, conservation efforts, and sustainable development projects.

The inspiration for Trek Relief came from a pivotal experience during my travels. While trekking through Langtang Valley in Nepal, I saw firsthand the devastating aftermath of the 2015 earthquake and the deep need for both rebuilding support and a revival of tourism. What began as a single fundraising effort soon evolved into something much bigger—a model that could be replicated across the world, empowering travelers to make a real difference wherever they go.

How We Create Impact

Trek Relief is not just about voluntourism—it’s about creating a framework for sustainable impact through adventure. We don’t just invite people to participate; we empower them to lead and create their own programs. There are three main ways to get involved:

Join a Trek – Experience an adventure that goes beyond the ordinary, hiking through stunning landscapes while contributing to hands-on community or conservation projects.
Lead a Trek – Take on a leadership role, guiding a team and facilitating impact. We provide the tools, structure, and mentorship to help you succeed.
Create Your Own Program – Have a vision for an impact trek? We help you design, plan, and execute it—from logistics to partnerships—so you can bring your own meaningful initiative to life.

This model allows travelers, adventurers, and changemakers to engage deeply with the places they visit while creating lasting impact, far beyond just one trip.

What Makes Trek Relief Different

We cultivate leaders – Our goal isn’t just to take people on treks; it’s to give them the tools, mentorship, and confidence to create their own impact.
Every trek is rooted in local collaboration – We don’t impose solutions. We work side by side with local leaders to ensure that our projects address real needs and create lasting change.
We make giving back accessible – Whether through fundraising, company matching, or alternative participation models, we provide different ways for people to get involved—because we believe that impact should be open to everyone.

The Ripple Effect of Impact

What I’m most proud of is the ripple effect of leadership and change that Trek Relief has sparked. People come on a trek expecting an adventure—but many leave inspired to do so much more. Some return as trek leaders, others create entirely new programs in different regions, and many go on to lead service initiatives beyond Trek Relief.

This work isn’t just about one destination or one moment—it’s about fostering a global movement where travel, leadership, and impact intersect.

An Invitation to Travel With Purpose

If you’ve ever wanted to explore the world while contributing to something meaningful, Trek Relief is for you. Whether you’re looking to join, lead, or create your own impact trek, we provide the structure and support to help you take action.

You don’t have to wait for the perfect opportunity to make a difference. You can start now.

#TravelWithPurpose

How’d you meet your business partner?

How I Met My Work Wife, Sarah Nguyen

Sarah Nguyen, the cousin of a good friend, first connected with Trek Relief by joining our very first trip. Ironically, we didn’t actually meet in person until after the trek—I had already maxed out a five-month visa and couldn’t be there with her.

After the trip, we talked about her experience, and she immediately started offering ideas and ways to help. With her background in systems engineering for aerospace companies, she brought a level of strategic thinking that stood out right away. When I later decided to establish Trek Relief as a nonprofit, I remembered her enthusiasm and reached out, inviting her to join our board.

From there, Sarah became deeply involved. She returned to Nepal as a Trip Leader, led our expeditions in Mongolia, and eventually fell in love with Patagonia, where she designed and launched an entire program—one so impactful that it was awarded a grant from Patagonia Inc. Today, she continues to lead that program while also overseeing Trek Relief’s systems, policies, and organizational growth.

Beyond her leadership and expertise, Sarah brings a deep care and intentionality to everything she does—whether it’s protecting the environment, fostering personal growth, or sharing her love for travel (not to mention her incredible baked goods!). We truly complement each other in the best way, balancing vision and execution, adventure and structure. She has been like a sister to me, and it has been an honor to walk this nonprofit path alongside her.

And, of course, it has been an absolute pleasure—and an ongoing joke—to lovingly call her my work wife. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner in this journey, and for that, I am truly grateful.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

How We Built Our Audience on Social Media

Trek Relief’s social media presence started organically in 2016—long before we had a formal organization. It all began with a single Facebook post. I shared images I had taken of Langtang Valley in the Himalayas of Nepal, a village I first discovered in my travels one year after the devastating earthquake that claimed over 9,000 lives in Nepal. The valley had been completely devastated, and the community needed help—not just in rebuilding infrastructure but also in reviving tourism, a vital part of their economy.

To rally support, I set a goal to raise $50,000, guided and encouraged by a fellow Himalayan trekker, Dr. Rob Williams, who would later become my mentor and serve as our Founding Board President. To inspire donations, I offered a unique incentive: for every $1,000 contribution, I would help organize a guided and portered trek for donors to visit Langtang themselves. I also set up fundraising pages so people could involve their own networks in the effort.

What happened next was incredible. Through consistent posting, public acknowledgments, tagging supporters, and encouraging shares, we reached our $50,000 goal in just eight months—all through Facebook. There were no ads, no elaborate campaigns—just heartfelt storytelling, transparency, and a shared vision for rebuilding and renewal.

Advice for Those Starting Out
1. Start with Authenticity – Share your story in a way that’s personal, real, and compelling. People connect with passion and purpose more than polished marketing.
2. Engage and Acknowledge – Publicly thank donors, tag supporters, and reply to comments. Make your audience feel like an active part of your mission.
3. It’s Not Just Your Network—It’s Your Network’s Networks – Encourage people to fundraise alongside you, share your posts, and invite their own communities to get involved. Word-of-mouth is powerful.
4. Be Consistent – Keep posting updates, impact stories, and behind-the-scenes moments. People love following along on a journey.
5. Make It Easy to Take Action – Provide simple ways for people to donate, fundraise, or participate. The easier it is to engage, the more likely they will.

At the end of the day, social media is about connection, not just content. When you show up with authenticity and purpose, your audience will grow in a way that is both meaningful and sustainable.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://trekrelief.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trekrelief/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trekrelief/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trekrelief/?viewAsMember=true
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/trekrelief
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@trekrelief7937
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/trek-relief-los-angeles
• Other: Guidestar: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/81-5114205

Image Credits

Candice Young