High School Dropouts

Submitted by carlitomakavelli on Wed, 02/08/2012 - 01:14

the problem:

We plant seeds in urban. Areas we cal it the money tree we bring the people of the area to help of planting then once everyone knows each other on better terms they help each other many ways just from planting a few seeds

vital stats:

people impacted:

people involved:

why it's important:

I grew up by myself I don't want my future my child to live the same way

the plan of action:

Go to urban areas bring the people in. The area together

how you can get involved:

n/a

project updates:

Submitted by kaylaparacristo on Mon, 02/06/2012 - 17:27

the problem:

TRYING TO HAVE HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMAN STAY IN SCHOOL

vital stats:

people impacted:

people involved:

why it's important:

THE MAJORITY OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS DO SO IN THEIR FIRST SEMESTER OF THE 9TH GRADE

the plan of action:

REACHING OUT TO INCOMING FRESHMAN TRYING TO GET THEM INVOLVED IN SCHOOL ACTIVITIES BECAUSE IT LOWERS THEIR PROBABILITY OF DROPPING OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL FROM 98% TO 4%

how you can get involved:

n/a

project updates:

1 comment

Submitted by mflacks on Wed, 02/01/2012 - 13:59

the problem:

I attend a school that educates over three thousand students, consisting of three townships: two of which are middle class to upper class suburbs, and the other being inner city. With a population so large, the demographics of my school differ greatly. Through my endeavors as Chair Person of Fundraising for my school’s Future Business Leaders of America club, I have spoken with many students about their career goals for the future and what they plan to do after high school. Many of them are unsure. Whether it is because of their home life, low-income, or lack of information, a good percentage of my school has no plan for after high school.

vital stats:

people impacted:

1,300

people involved:

1,300

why it's important:

I will be the first in my family to graduate from college. Although my mother never attended college, she is involved in so many different projects and always busy. She is event planner for the PTA at the local elementary school, she works a part time job, and she takes classes at the local community center, all while being a single parent to four children. Seeing her always busy and making such an impact on the community inspired me; it gave me a passion to do great things. I am involved in seven different clubs at my school, a part time job, and Honors/AP classes. Going to college has always been such an important thing to me. Seeing that my mother could have taken her talents to another level if she had attended college has really pushed me to work hard and do great things in this world. Therefore, seeing kids my age so unsure of their future gave me an idea.

the plan of action:

I wanted to ignite a passion in these children that would drive them to great success. I came up with a Career Expo for my school. I sat down with my principle and my FBLA advisors and told them of my idea. I was going to reserve both gyms in my school for various businesses to send representatives to set up tables and speak about their careers. I targeted all sixteen career clusters of Pennsylvania so that the students were exposed to every career path possible. I hoped that these students would find their interest at one of these tables, and start their journey to a blossoming career.

how you can get involved:

Other people can help by using this project to help other schools and help other students figure out what they want for their future.

project updates:

Submitted by The Collective on Wed, 02/01/2012 - 13:14

the problem:

We believe that one of the biggest challenges facing young organizers is navigating internal group dynamics. Whether it is teens, college students, volunteers, parents or community members fighting together for a specific cause, there are inevitably moments in these struggles when group members are faced with difficult decisions and potential conflicts. Often times these complex internal dynamics can be the biggest barrier a group may face when working on a campaign or project.

Through workshops on non-violent communication, consensus decision making and non-hierarchical leadership, we hope to promote alternative strategies and tools for organizing at the grassroots level. Our goal is to alleviate much of the stress and anxiety that can come from working in a group setting, and provide creative techniques for collaborative work.

We also believe that the way we are with each other reflects the way we are in the world. By this we mean that if we can radically change our relationships to be more harmonious, peaceful and cooperative, we have the capacity to create entire communities in the same way.

vital stats:

people impacted:

200

people involved:

why it's important:

The members of The Collective first met in 2007 while participating in a study abroad program. There were 28 students on an epic journey across the world, and establishing effective and democratic group norms was a key component of our trip. For us, the exploration of these issues came first out of necessity. In order to survive our nine months together, we had to devise ways to interact, make decisions and handle conflict.
It was during this time abroad that many of us discovered the importance of collaborative decision making and ways in which non-hierarchical leadership can create a space where all voices are respected and heard. Ultimately, by the end of our time together, we were deeply committed to working with each other and others on developing new processes for communicating and organizing in groups.

the plan of action:

Since 2010, we have taught numerous workshops to college students, young adults, small progressive nonprofits, and co-ops in the region. We have promoted our work through word of mouth and other networks with which we are familiar.

In addition to teaching in-person workshops, we have written, designed and published materials on communication and community-building techniques.

With a seed grant of $500, we could significantly expand the content and scope of our workshop, as well as produce a more comprehensive resource guide and workbook on consensus and alternative forms of decision making.

how you can get involved:

Others can be involved by attending our workshops and teaching others! We believe that the material and content of our workshops and publications should be widely distributed, and that everyone can benefit from these resources.

If others have an interest in teaching the materials with members of the collective, and getting directly involved, we would be happy to discuss that possibility.

project updates:

Submitted by roger2286 on Wed, 02/01/2012 - 12:57

the problem:

The Problem im planning to solve is hunger, homelessness, batterd woman, sick, poor, religious pratcie i school, troubled youth etc..

vital stats:

people impacted:

100

people involved:

why it's important:

It is important to me cause i hate to see my society go down hill and suffer from poverty. I came from a rough childhood and i know what it feels like not to have nothing i just want to give back and bea ble to help and give back to all.

the plan of action:

My plan to open up more shelter facilities food programs, build more schools and universities, afterschool programs keep kids engaged.

how you can get involved:

I need funding, dedicated people who will help and fight for the cause. Support and a better network to reachout to american society

project updates:

Submitted by DBH0014 on Wed, 02/01/2012 - 11:51

the problem:

A Family Community is a program I am desigining to benefit every individual in our community, not only residents and locals, but the community as a whole. This includes surrounding areas and even alternate states. We aim to provide Disater education, job readiness, disater preparedness seminars, dating volience information, a place of refuge for volience over comers, a place for homeless individuals to get food, and clothing and opportunities for job search, and job placement. We want to prevent teen pregnancy, but all the same provide help to those who have already had children. We promote family stablility. We want to educate individuals on healthy eating, and living a healthy lifestyle as well. We plan to this not only by branching out and starting partneships with exsisting organizations, but by putting in hard work, and sweat ourselves as well. We plan to involve individuals that seek help in unimaginable ways.

vital stats:

people impacted:

people involved:

why it's important:

This is imporatnt to me because, I grew up in a single parent home; and felt sad and alone. I want individuals to understand that not every house hold is the same, and that it is okay to be different. I understand the importance of education, and i am seeking to futher my education. I want every individual that I encounter to understand this concept as well.

the plan of action:

*Conduct meetings with community leaders(i.e. Community pastors, non-profit organizations, mayor)
*Get Schools involved( with the job I already have I have easy access to recruiting teens, and volunteers)
*Get the community aware.....(i.e.: Facebook, local news, news paper)
*Recruit Volunteers/ Board members (i.e. Church goers)
*Set up banking account
*locate a building for headquaters (i.e.: unused city building, or church building)
* Contact local food banks set up patnerships
*start partnership with local DHR

how you can get involved:

Individuals can help by contributing non perishable items, volunteering, making donations, and participating in the program

project updates:

Submitted by bri7232 on Wed, 02/01/2012 - 01:05

Check out our videos!

the problem:

Right now, more than 300,000 Kenyan youth live and work on the streets. Street youth face a life of disease, poverty, exploitation, and violence. Some street youth survive by collecting scrap metal for recycling as well as washing cars, while the more vulnerable turn to theft and prostitution. In Kenya, where education is neither free nor mandatory, many street youth have not completed Primary School let alone Secondary School. Millions of dollars are invested into humanitarian programs that offer food, clothing, and shelter, but they often fail to keep youth off the streets forever. In a country with an unemployment rate of 64% among youth between the ages of 18 and 35, street youth simply cannot compete in the job market.

vital stats:

people impacted:

300

people involved:

why it's important:

In 2008, I traveled to Nairobi, Kenya to volunteer with an HIV clinic in Mathare, the second largest slum in Kenya. The experience changed my life. Upon my return to the U.S. I changed my major from Biology to International Studies with the determination to go back to Kenya after I graduated.

I graduated in December 2010 and moved to Kenya in March 2011 determined to make a change in the world. Just a few short days after landing in Nairobi I met a former street boy, Wiclif Otieno. Wiclif's story, success, and passion for changing the lives of other street youth through KITO International was very inspiring. We became instant friends.

Wiclif taught me a lot about street life, poverty, and the importance of quality aid. I quickly fell in love with the KITO community and it didn't take long before Wiclif and I joined forces to continue KITO's growth.

the plan of action:

KITO believes that "moving off the streets" means "getting out of poverty." If street youth are given an economic opportunity that enables them to work their way out of poverty and become self-sufficient, they will stay off the streets forever.

Potential KITO youth are referred by partner organizations, recruited by team members, or apply on their own. KITO selects street youth through a participatory interview process. Successful applicants enter a vigorous 2 month training program which covers entrepreneurship, life skills, employability skills, and financial literacy. Upon graduation of KITO's Training Program, KITO youth are offered temporary employment with KITO's social enterprise, EcoSafi, where they learn to make bags from recycled material as well as practice the skills they have learned in a hands-on setting. KITO staff work tirelessly to customize each youth's exit strategy. KITO youth have the option to start their own business, go back to school, or find full-time employment.

how you can get involved:

Spreading the word about KITO International is very important to us. You can help us in these efforts by liking us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/kitointernational) or following us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/kitointl). KITO International is always looking for volunteers, interns, and donations to help us achieve our mission. To learn more about us please visit www.kitointernational.org.

project updates:

videos:

Submitted by Juke2611 on Sat, 01/28/2012 - 21:26

the problem:

i want to increase the number of low income students going to an university, junior college or even trade school. I want highschool students to have a positive mentality about college, and actually desire to attend one.

vital stats:

people impacted:

people involved:

why it's important:

The youth of America is our future. It is our job to make sure they are equipped with the tools they need to be successful and ready to take on such a responsibility.

There are students who do not have an older sibiling or a father figure in their life, and I want to change that with my mentor program,

the plan of action:

I am a freshman involoved in Student Governemnt at the University of Colorado which makes it possible for me to put a projeect like this together. Right now I am working with the mile high tumblers on getting kids out of their program and using them in this program. How it works is that once a week the highschool students will come to campus and will be paired up with an older mentor with simliar qualities. During their time spent together they can study, play in the rec center, or even just talk.

how you can get involved:

n/a

project updates:

Submitted by ebeltre on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 22:42

the problem:

Many individuals are unaware of the great services that currently exist that address issues/needs that can be considered fundamental for an individuals ability to create living stability and growth. These four groups of needs are personalize finance, education, employment, and health (both physical and mental)

These individuals need one central location where they are given access to the service providers that are proficient in these fundamental needs. OpenDoors Resource Center wants to be that location, and we want to start in Richmond Hill Queens (New York).

vital stats:

people impacted:

140

people involved:

why it's important:

About 2 years ago a group of us volunteered at a church that ran a "pennies-on-the-dollar" flea market on saturdays. Jeans and t-shirts were being sold at very low prices such as 4 for $1. While interacting with these customers we realized that this community was in need of more than just clothing. They needed access to workforce, health care, education (many didn't even speak english).

The most frustrating part in discovering all of these needs what knowing that there are many free services that could help these individuals.

the plan of action:

Currently OpenDoors Resource Center is functions from the office of a local church. Until OpenDoors Resource Center were to have its own location, we host monthly events such as coat drives, food pantries, and in some cases we are able to bring in experts from the field to help sign up people for health insurance, or even have their taxes done.

Ideally we would like to have a center where a variety of service providers could be accessed by community members. One center, many services.

We currently have a calendar of events for the year of 2012.

how you can get involved:

People can help by donating time and or funds. We are always looking for individuals to help implement and create awareness of our model.

project updates:

Submitted by Together We Rise on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 12:58

Check out our videos!

the problem:

Together We Rise is trying to solve the problems associated with the broken foster care system and the lack of awareness about this issue.

Together We Rise is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of foster children in America by funding programs that give a sense of normalcy, comfort, and self-esteem to combat the disproportionate opportunities available to foster youth.

vital stats:

people impacted:

3,000

people involved:

100

why it's important:

The devoted and enthusiastic staff of Together We Rise (TWR) work tirelessly to solve the many challenges that foster children face. The life of a foster child is often bleak and the statistics clearly display this. For example, nearly 23,000 foster children will die of neglect or abuse by their 5th birthday and almost half of those children will become homeless within 18 months of leaving the foster care system by 2020.

TWR makes decreasing these bleak figures the cornerstone of our organization. However, the issues that TWR solve go well beyond what the numbers show; we also work to bring a level of normalcy to foster children's lives.Their lives are often very unstable and changing this is one of major goals.

the plan of action:

Children are the future and we believe they deserve to live the best life possible. They have been put into a situation that they have no control over. We want to show them that there are people in the world who care about them and want to see them grow into successful adults. If we have the ability to touch even one child's life and know we made an impact in a positive way, then we have done our job. We have developed programs that allow them to be successful in society, school, sports, creativity, and life. Our sports camps also help to raise awareness about childhood obesity and teach them ways to stay healthy throughout their lifetime.

how you can get involved:

Together We Rise (TWR) values its relationship with the foster community, its sponsors, and its volunteers. Innovation, creativity, and a strong work ethic are instilled to improve the lives of foster children through integrity, commitment, and dependability. TWR utilizes young adult volunteers through social and digital media to host sports camps and implement educational programs with various subjects. A variety of programs are created to reach the diverse and varying interests of foster children, offering them an assortment of activities to provide a well-rounded experience. We welcome all interns or volunteers from around the nation and encourage applicants to apply through our Facebook page.