Youth Venturers featured in Washington Post!

Youth Venturers Yasmine and Niacka are getting some attention these days! Their Venture, ScholarCHIPS, was just featured in a new Washington Post column. ScholarCHIPS raises college scholarship funds for teens who have a parent in prison. As Yasmine noted when she presented her idea to our community panel this spring, "I know what that's like. My father has been in and out of prison since I was a toddler." Yasmine and Niacka joined the Youth Venture family as part of our ongoing partnership with LearnServe International. In addition to pairing high school students with peer mentors, the pair's first goal is to raise $30,000, so that they can award three $10,000 scholarships to other students out there. We know they can do it!

Click here to read more about their story - and follow ScholarCHIPS on Facebook to keep updated about their progress!

Source: Washington Post

Friends Across the Ages

'Tis the holiday season when family, friends, and neighbors gather. Its a special mix whenever the generations come together. Whether its family stories, inside jokes, or general reminiscing, there is much to be gleaned from inter-generational gatherings. In 2011, The Eisner Foundation will award the inaugural Eisner Prize and is currently soliciting nominations of individuals or non-profit organizations from all across the United States for this prestigious honor. The Eisner Prize is a cash award of $100,000 and is designed to recognize excellence by an individual or a non-profit organization in uniting multiple generations, especially seniors and youth, to bring about positive and lasting changes in their community. Are you running a venture that connects friends across the ages and generations? If so, click here to view the original posting and learn more about the application process!

Your Year in Review: What Was Your 2010 Like?

In just a few short days, 2010 goes in the record books. Everywhere you look in the next few days, expect to see plenty "2010 Year in Review"s. Already, you can check out the New York Times' Year in Ideas, and Google Zeitgeist will show you the top search terms for the year. From top movies and music to current events, the annual 365 review is upon us.

In a few days, our attention will shift to 2011 - and many of us will be writing out our New Year's resolutions. But how can you make plans for where you're going without reflecting on where you've come from?

We suggest doing your own "year in review" for 2010. Take out a sheet of paper, grab a pen, and then spend a few minutes thinking about the past year. You might want to look over your memories of the last year -- check your calendar, your email, the pictures you've posted online.

Ask yourself: From classes to family and friends to your Venture, what were your biggest personal events? What lessons did you learn in 2010, and what achievements are you most proud of? Do you see any patterns? What are you most grateful for?

Taking a few minutes to do your own "year in review" can be enormously helpful before moving into the New Year. So, what stands out most to you in 2010?

Youth Tackle World Problems at the UN

Think young people's perspective can't make a real difference when it comes to the world's problems? Think again! On December 21, young people took over the UN for the day as part of an event called "Your World, Your Future: Voices of a New Generation." Over 150 youth addressed the UN Security Council, telling the world body what they thought about peace and security issues. It's all part of the International Year of Youth, which began this past August and aims to highlight and harness the power of youth from around the world to help solve global problems. Click here to read more!

What do you think is the most pressing global issue today, and what are you doing to help solve it?

Gandhi's Life Story by Rap

"Be the change you wish to see in the world."
-Mahatma Gandhi

What a quote, huh? This quote seems to me to be omnipresent across the world of social change. We are all working towards a better world as young people, students, parents, teachers, brothers, sisters, neighbors, or friends. Each of us has our own style, our own passions and interests. We've found that the most successful ventures are the ones that combine our unique passions and interests to carry out a project that we are deeply committed to. Gandhi is one who really lived the change he called for, structuring his life and work around what he believed in and actively participating in movements he built to advocate independence, justice, and equity.

Now you can learn about Gandhi in a new way--rap. That's right, a Gandhi rap! MC Yogi is a hip hop artist who fused his love of yoga and knowledge of the discipline with this inspirational little ditty about Gandhi's life. It's a cool way to absorb the story of an legendary social leader, don't you think? Listen and enjoy, my friends.

How do you live out your version of change?

Facebook: A World of Friendships

Are you a fan of Facebook? Check out this great graphic of friends and relationships mapped by a Facebook intern Paul Butler. So how did this image come into being? Paul was researching the locality of friendship: where do people live in relation to their friends? How do geography and typical divisions between states and countries affect who we know and keep in touch with? In the process of answering his own questions, Paul stumbled upon something that is resonating with people across the globe. "Each line might represent a friendship made while travelling, a family member abroad, or an old college friend pulled away by the various forces of life." Read more about the map and the data it represents here.

From the looks of it, friends make the world go round!

Quote of the Day

"You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing there
will be no result."

- Mahatma Gandhi

What do you think... do your actions have an effect? How about your Venture's, what effect are they creating? Or, have you felt the ripple effect of someone else's positive action in the community?

Happy Holidays from Youth Venture!

Last week, the Youth Venture national office held our holiday potluck and Secret Santa gift exchange. (We admit - we love any excuse to throw a potluck around here!)

This isn't just a season for spending time together and eating too much yummy food; this is a season for reflection and gratitude. All of us spend a lot of time thinking about how we can help each young person reach their full changemaking potential, and every day we're deeply awed by just how much of a positive difference our Youth Venturers create through their work. Thank you for all that YOU do to make the world a better place. From all of us at Youth Venture, have a wonderful holiday season!

Spotlight on Ashoka U

For more information, read the original post at Dowser.org.

Risk is a key factor in all entrepreneurial endeavors. There are good risks, there are bad risks. What's the deciding factor? How do you, as an entrepreneur and changemaker, make those good risks count when pitching your ideas and starting your Ventures?

Dowser.org posted a great interview with our very own Erin Krampetz, Senior Change Manager at Ashoka, who helped launch Ashoka U. This interview is part of a series that talks to "social innovators about bold steps they’ve taken, they reveal that so-called risky behavior may be the most dependable way to produce innovation, leading to better solutions to social problems." Read the full interview here.

Campus Green Scene Video Contest

Check out this opportunity from Campus Green Scene. If your Venture focuses on sustainability or green campus initiatives, or if you have an idea for one, this could be a great to raise awareness, garner support, and multiply your impact!

You could win $5,000 by Making a positive impact on your campus

Shoot a 2-minute video describing an initiative that helps your campus go green. The most innovative, impactful, creative submissions will earn their college or university a $5,000 award.
Winning ideas will even be featured in a documentary. So get started! Grab a camera. Set the scene. A sustainable future begins today.

Deadline: April 27, 2011

Global Social Venture Competition

For complete information, see the competition website at http://www.gsvc.org.

The Global Social Venture Competition is the largest and oldest student-led business plan competition providing mentoring, exposure, and prizes for social ventures from around the world. The mission of the GSVC is to catalyze the creation of social ventures, educate future leaders and build awareness of social enterprises. The competition supports the creation of real businesses that bring about positive social change in a sustainable manner.

Each year, entrant teams from around the world compete for over $45,000 while gaining valuable professional feedback on their ventures. Each entrant team must include a graduate business student from any business school in the world or an individual who has graduated from a graduate business program within the past two years (from the date that the plan is first submitted).

A note to Venturer's: This competition is tailored to graduate business students. Teams must be enrolled in a graduate business program, or include a team member who is. Even if you're not eligible to enter, keep an eye on the finalists and winners page to learn more about some emerging innovations and businesses designed to make an impact!

For full competition details, click here.

Deadline for first submission: January 19, 2011 in the US. Check the website for deadlines in other countries.

Be a Changemaker this Holiday Season!

Being a changemaker is all about being open to leadership, open to innovation, and open to opportunities to positively impact your world. This holiday season, be a changemaker! The spirit of the holidays can sometimes get lost in tinsel, lights, and department store displays, but with the help of the organizations listed below you can give to family and friends AND impact the larger world this year!

GOOD magazine recently did a spread on just how powerful you as consumer are—get this! The average US consumer will spend $698 on holiday gifts. Why not make those gifts count? Spur change with your giving!

Below are two top staff picks for how to give a little more this holiday season:

Heifer International is a completely lovable and effective way to give. Donors can scroll through a catalog of unique holiday gifts—a pig, a hive of bees, or a flock of chicks. Heifer then gifts a family in the developing world that livestock and accompanying training. In exchange, families agree to give one of its animal's offspring to another family in need. How great is that? With the click of a button, you’re creating a sustainable chain of giving and hope, and shedding light on a little-discussed part of the world for people here at home!

Oxfam Unwrapped offers a similar virtual store of opportunities. You can give the gift of play time, chickens, school books, or teacher training. Check out Oxfam Unwrapped today.

If you’ve already done your shopping, but you still want to know how you can get in the holiday changemaker spirit, what about starting a holiday tree recycling program? Earth911 shows you how!

Whatever you choose, take time this holiday season to make your actions count. Happy Holidays from the entire Youth Venture family!

The Power of the Positive

What's something that brightened your day today? Maybe it was the smile someone returned in your direction on the way to school, the hug you got on your way out the door, or the cheesy joke your little brother cracked.

Certain people have that magical ability to frame their world in a positive light and take the time to share it with others. Others have experienced the transformative power of positivity in their lives and recognize just how important it is to spotlight those deeds for the rest of us. Now, Amway has stepped in to up the ante on the power of random acts of kindness with the Positivity Project.

Caitlin Boyle, the founder of OperationBeautiful.com, won the $10,000 grand prize. OperationBeautiful posts anonymous notes in public places for other women to find. These messages share encouragement and are designed to brighten days, boost self-esteem, and remind readers that they are unique and beautiful, just as they are. Boyle has chosen to pay it forward by donating the prize money to Girls on the Run, an organization that encourages pre-teen girls to develop self respect and healthy lifestyles through running. Talk about combining positive power!

If you're interested in getting involved, submit your own story to the Positivity Project's Living Library. Read more about Caitlin's story or hear about it in her own words here. Learn more about Girls on the Run here. (GOTR was started by Ashoka Fellow Molly Barker!)

As Venturer's, all of our projects are creating positive impact across communities. How do you hope to see the power of the positive channeled through your Venture's actions? What about your personal actions?

ABC Kicks off a Journey in Global Health Tonight

Tonight, ABC's 20/20 kicks off a year long journey to report on the health conditions of some of the poorest people across the world. The series, called Be the Change: Save a Life, sends journalists across three continents and through nine countries to examine the issues and challenges facing global citizens as they try to take care of their health needs.

The series isn't just about the problems, its about the solutions and innovations too. Tune in for a closer look at new technologies and programs and the changemakers behind them. TB testing technology, specialized maternity hospitals for slums, HIV prevention programs for mothers and children, and solar powered refrigerators for transporting vaccines are just some of the innovative solutions highlighted. Read more about the upcoming series here, or click on the photo to view the promotional clip.

Check out an Ashoka Fellow generating solutions now:

Mitchell Bessner, a fellow in South Africa, created mothers2mothers to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The program encourages mothers living with HIV to become peer educators and provide support to similarly affected pregnant women and new mothers. This solution is making a positive impact on the lives of women and children in South Africa and is actively changing the broader healthcare system. Learn more here.

Kids Are Scientists, Too!

Youth Venturer Jessica Yang says that everyone can be a scientist. Her Venture, Kids Are Scientists Too (KAST), is a program that brings hands-on science projects to elementary school students near her hometown in Maryland. Over 300 fourth and fifth graders are joining in the fun this Fall to learn more about science, experiments, and creativity.



Who doesn't think its cool to build volcanoes, make slime, create a cell model out of candy, and construct a geodesic dome large enough to fit 12 kids? Today's featured photo shows the group building the aforementioned geodesic dome. A geodesic dome is a spherical structure comprised of triangular elements that allow large amounts of stress to be distributed across a shell when building or engineering something. The group learned that triangles are the strongest shapes for building 3-D objects. The program is now gearing up for its end-of-semester science fair, where students will design and present science projects of their own interest. Jessica and KAST caught some local press this morning: read more here!

What was your favorite science project in school?

Win a Trip with Nicholas Kristof

Announcing the 2011 Win a Trip contest with New York Times columnist and two time Pulitzer Prize winner Nicholas Kristof. This is not a tourist trip, but one about journalism and hands-on experience. Learn about and discuss some of the most pressing global issues while interacting with them. Winners are asked to blog about their experiences to "try to spotlight some of the world’s neglected problems." This year, someone over the age of 60 will join the group! Older readers who have protested their exclusion the past years of the contest are now eligible to apply. "Now Grandma Can 'Win a Trip' too."

For the past four years, Kristof has invited a college student to join him on one of his reporting trips to the developing world. Why? Well, when given the choice to travel, many of us steer clear of the developing world. Intentionally or not, too many people are not actively exposed to the conditions a significant percentage of the world experiences on a daily basis. Kristof says he started inviting young people to travel with him on these trips in order to increase exposure and awareness. As he says, "...the single biggest failing of American universities is that they are parochial and don’t adequately expose students to the one-third of the world that lives on less than $2 a day."

Here's a chance to meet incredible people across the globe, participate in an invaluable learning experience, and share your journey with others. To apply, visit Nicholas Kristof's blog, nytimes.com/ontheground. To read the full article, click here.

Deadline: Tuesday, January 18, 2011.

Why do you travel?

Check out Youth Venture in Seattle!

Youth Venture is tearing up Seattle (in a good way!)
This video spotlights some of the incredible Ventures led by young people across the city. Curious to learn about what's going on? Check it out here!

Get to Know AYUDA

Get involved with AYUDA, one of our very own Youth Ventrue teams. AYUDA stands for American Youth Understanding Diabetes Abroad and was established in 1997 by a dynamic teenage duo who witnessed firsthand the true danger a lack of education can cause. After watching a young boy struggle for his health from the cost of insulin and lack of health education, the two teenagers took action.

AYUDA's goal is to help young people living with diabetes better manage their health and well being through peer lead programs, diabetes camps, and advocacy work. The organization is now seeking volunteers for its 2011 programs running in the Dominican Republic and Ecuador. Volunteers will travel to sites within each country to help run programs and build outreach programs. Volunteers will need to have an intermediate level of Spanish to participate. Application specifics are available here. To read more about the programs and volunteer opportunities, click here. Apply today!

Deadline: February 15, 2011.

Quote for the Weekend

Youth Service America shared a great quote through their weekly National Service Briefing, check it out:

"We must view young people not as empty bottles to be filled, but as candles to be lit."
- Robert Shaffer

So changemakers, what do you think?

Planeteers Needed!

Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, Heart! This is the battle cry of Captain Planet and the Planeteers, a group of people just like many of you who care about the Earth, the environment, and the quality of healthy living in all communities. The Foundation arm of this old school cartoon series supports hands-on environmental projects for young people and offers grants between $250-$2,500 to help launch successful projects.

In order to apply for the grant:

-applicants must have a hands-on project

-applicants must promote an understanding of environmental issues

-applicants must have an adult ally

-applicants must be a federally tax exempt organization (this includes 501(c)(3)'s and most schools).

Interested in more details? Click here!

Next Deadline: Decmeber 31st.

A Civic Marshall Plan

One in four U.S. public school students drop out of high school before graduation.

This staggering statistic has spurred conversation amongst leaders and thought innovators alike and has resulted in a Civic Marshall Plan. If you saw Waiting for Superman, you're probably now well aware of the struggles facing our current education system. You probably also heard the term "drop out factory" referencing certain schools with a disproportionate number of students dropping out before receiving a diploma.

Enter the Civic Marshall Plan. The Civic Marshall Plan has been created in tandem with a movement to build a Grad Nation to unite education leaders and communities towards constructively addressing the drop-out epidemic. Earlier this year, President Obama and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan set a goal of seeing 90% of U.S. high school students graduate by the year 2020. In order to achieve this goal, we'll have to work hard and we'll have to work quickly.

Looking closer at the statistics, almost 50% of drop-outs each year come from a mere 12% of the nations high schools. This finding and other research has helped policy makers and education activists pinpoint areas for action. If you're interested in learning more about the Civic Marshall Plan, the plan to 'Build a Grad Nation', and those areas for action, click here.

Stakeholders and students across the nation are aware of the need to make change in our schools and are ready to act now. What do you think?

Stories from the Summit (Vol. 6): Noelle Joubert, Pure Water Vending

Meet Noelle. At 19-years-old she is the founder of Pure Water Vending and YV Ambassador ’10. Her Venture sells bottled water via vending machines and then uses the profits generated to buy water filtration systems for families in Honduras. Their innovative fundraising idea and ability to rally their community behind their cause has enabled them to raise funds and create change! Watch the video below to hear Noelle tell her story.

 This video is the last in our ‘Stories from the Summit’ series. Still itching for more? Well  you’ll just have to come to the Summit next year now won’t you!

World AIDS Day: An Open Letter from a Youth Venturer living with HIV

Last month we at Youth Venture met Mohammed Barry. Mohammed is a tall 19-year-old with a big smile and bigger dreams. In the few days we spent with him we learnt a lot about courage and passion. Courage, that allows you to carry on in the face of all the hardships that come your way. And passion that gives you the ability to make a difference to the lives of others. Mohammed is, without doubt, an extraordinary human being. He is also a young person living with HIV. Last week was World AIDS day. To mark the occasion Mohammed wrote an open letter addressed to young changemakers across the globe urging them to join the fight against AIDS. Here is an excerpt from his letter:

“I wish I could remember those serene days without plight and pains, undeniably memories of trauma, AIDS, stigma, discrimination, prejudices, hate, fear, derision and the fight for life have eroded my thoughts and formed a bulk barrier that I have for almost 13 years struggled to break, as a teen living with HIV among his peers and in order to remember my early years as a child without HIV. But this is not stopping me from making HIV history because I don’t want YOU to feel this pain I bear. You might be wondering what has kept me going: it’s clear OPTIMISM and HOPE in the wilderness. I believe my life with HIV is a platform for me to reach out to young people like YOU half way across the globe with information about HIV and AIDS. Today I live positively with HIV, healthy and optimistic! How about you? What would you do if you were HIV positive??? Try to answer this and see.”

To read the complete letter click here.

Service Learning Conference in ATL

The National Youth Leadership Council is hosting its 22nd Annual service learning conference in Atlanta, GA April 6-9, 2011.

Get involved! Join teachers, school administrators, other interested students, non-profit organizations, and national education leaders in service learning projects, thoughtful discussions, and hands-on workshops. Hear from Greg Mortenson, founder of the Central Asia Institute and co-author of Three Cups of Tea; Parth Shah, Kiva's impressive, first active youth volunteer; Cathryn Berger Kaye, thought leader in the field of service learning; and many more. There will be opportunities to participate in youth programs, for youth, led by youth. Meet college representatives, regional service leaders, and network with others. Click here to see a full list of speakers and the conferences promotional video!

Bonus: Register for the conference by December 17th and be entered into a drawing for free lodging at the conference's headquarters hotel!

BrandYOU: Changemaker

The skills you develop while running a Venture are valuable in many different areas of your life. Over time schools, colleges, and now organizations have also begun to recognize the value of your skills. Today's world is looking for changemakers!

What does this mean for you? It's time to leverage your changemaking talents in the job and admissions market. Changemakers are successful students and productive employees. So let that college recruiter or job interviewer know that YOU are a changemaker! Not sure how to do this? No worries, we're here to help!

The "BrandYOU: Changemaker" webinar series is meant to help you market your changemaker skills. We're asking our storytelling, resume writing, and interviewing experts to spill their secrets. You will also get personalized feedback on your resume, cover letter/personal statement, and interviewing skills. At the end of the series, you'll leave armed with the tools you need to access the opportunities you deserve.

BrandYOU is a 2-3 hour time commitment each week. Every session lasts 1 hour; the homework assignment for weeks 1 and 2 will require 1-2 hours of additional work (It's worth it!). The fourth and final assignment will be a group interview with a panel of industry experts and will require an hour of your time.

Interested? Register TODAY! We have only 15 spots available and we're giving them out on a first come first serve basis. Click here to apply now!

Do you Jumo?

Check out Jumo, a new online platform for connecting causes, organizations, and people, debuted last week. Chris Houghes, one of the original founders of Facebook, started this new site to help people connect to and follow the issues and organizations that interest them the most.

The word jumo itself means 'to come together'. That's exactly what the site aims to do: bring together a community of people committed to making an impact and solving issues in their communities and around the world. The site syncs with Facebook in a way that allows users to follow issues and integrate their own network of friends and activities into a wider movement of change.

Check out Jumo today!

How can your Venture cause get involved?