Just 10 words.

Growing up, there was one core philosophy in our house: we all deserve a happy childhood. Our immigrant parents grew up in a time of war and destruction, so they worked hard to ensure that Hildy and I could have a better life. Our house became a second home to cousins and friends who needed a place to stay, and that became the inspiration for When Toys Age, a research, design, and policy incubator dedicated to social impact projects. It’s purpose is to take steps toward creating a better home for all. 

In 2019, we learned that approximately 1 in 6 youth in the U.S. reported making a suicide plan. That was before the pandemic. And when our team at When Toys Age began receiving incredibly personal letters from parents, teachers, and students detailing their fears and experiences at school, we knew we couldn’t afford to wait any longer. 

As the mental health epidemic, rise in gun violence, civil unrest, political polarization, harsh testing, and social inequities continue to terrorize the school landscape, the quality of education and student life is called to the forefront of our global interest.

QESLO’s mission is to contribute to the building of a global culture of accountability in education, the eradication of systemic barriers to quality education and student life.