MEET THE TEAM
At Holding Hands with Hope, we are committed to addressing the high cost of living and the challenges it brings to housing and stability in large US cities like Los Angeles. Founded by Cheyenne Sadeghi, along with Shahrzad Sadeghi, Arya Samimi, and Aayushi Dedakia, we are a team of pre-med and pre-dental students dedicated to making a difference.
In partnership with companies like MB Orthodontics, Skechers, and other supportive organizations, as well as through generous donations, Holding Hands with Hope continues to raise funds to provide essential care packages. These packages contain hygiene products, clothing, and other necessities for low-income and unhoused residents of Los Angeles.
Additionally, we collaborate with MB Orthodontics, and various medical facilities to facilitate dental care, medical and psychological help for those in need. Your support enables us to extend our reach and impact, offering hope and practical assistance to the vulnerable members of our community.
Thank you for joining us in this important mission.
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Established in 2024
Holding Hands with Hope was founded in 2024 in hopes of raising money to provide essential hygiene care packages to the homeless. With the help of partnering health facilities such as MB Orthodontics, HHWH aims to begin to offer dental and orthodontic care to the unhoused Los Angeles community.
Shahrzad Sadeghi
Introducing Shahrzad Sadeghi, a driven individual currently pursuing her dreams as a dental student at UCSF. Beyond her academic pursuits, she's exemplified leadership as the Vice President of Hearts with Hope, spearheading efforts that raised $50,000 for cardiothoracic surgery for underprivileged children. Prior to her dental journey, Shahrzad showcased her determination as a Division 1 athlete and pre-dental student at the University of the Pacific, where she engaged in rigorous research endeavors. Now, at UCSF, she continues her research pursuits and eagerly anticipates propelling her nonprofit endeavors to greater heights.
Maryam Bakhtiyari
After receiving her B.S. in Biochemistry from UCLA, Dr. Maryam went on to achieve her D.D.S. degree from the University of the Pacific in San Francisco. Dr. Maryam’s desire to bring her patients the latest in overall dental health makes her immerse herself in continuing education every year, leading her to become the first and as of now, only woman to ever achieve the status of Diplomate of the International Board of Orthodontics, the highest level obtainable. She has completed a yearlong residency with Tufts University of Medicine on sleep apnea. In November 2011 she achieved the status of Diplomate and Master of Excellence with the American Board of Craniofacial pain. She enjoys bringing big beautiful smiles to her patients’ lives, but is driven by the fact she can also improve their overall quality of life while doing it.
Arya Samimi
Arya began volunteering at the start of high school at Richstone family center, a center for underprivileged children dedicated to preventing and treating child abuse. He worked as a tutor, spending his time at Richstone tutoring the children and playing with them afterwards. His bond with the children quickly grew and he realized he wanted to enter the healthcare field to both pursue a field he is passionate about and able to help children and families in need. Arya currently is a junior at Cal State Long Beach studying Biomedical Engineering. Next year he plans on applying to dental school and pursuing a career in Orthodontistry.
Cheyenne Sadeghi
(founder)
Cheyenne wanted to help the local unhoused community near his college, Stanford after seeing their exploitation during the pandemic firsthand, which is why he first started his work at Hope Hearted, another nonprofit dedicated to helping unhoused individuals . Cheyenne leads corporate partnerships for the supply chain, including Sketchers and Oral B, to get more hygiene kits in the hands of those that need them. He previously helped fundraise over $10,000 for Hearts with Hope, another nonprofit funding cardiothoracic surgeries for underprivileged children in Mexico. Cheyenne is currently a computer science graduate student at Stanford University and also holds a bachelor’s of science in mathematics from Stanford. Cheyenne dreams of going to medical school and would like to continue helping and serving his community and marginalized individuals through medicine and biomedical research.
Aayushi Dedakia
Aayushi graduated from UC Irvine with a major in Biological Sciences. Aayushi's passion for dentistry and community service is deeply rooted, and inspired by her extensive hours volunteering at hospitals, teaching dental health at elementary schools, and shadowing dentists. She is currently pursuing a master's in global medicine at USC and she aspired to attend dental school in the near future. Aayushi's dedication to giving back has honed through her background and experiences.
