Be Aware

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

Program implemented in public middle schools that addresses social problems on local, national and global level. Brings up discussions on social awareness and creating change; this is a social action project that gives students resources and opportunities to work on social justice issues with Pgh organizations and non-profits.

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Lily Wein

What is the idea?

Program implemented in public middle schools that addresses social problems on local, national and global level. Brings up discussions on social awareness and creating change; this is a social action project that gives students resources and opportunities to work on social justice issues with Pgh organizations and non-profits.

How would idea work?

• Could be a class in school or brought in extra-curricularly by social action leaders
• Classroom program than engages all students
• Kids work on projects and class and learn how to take the next step to bring social awareness to the community

Pluses:

• Teach kids about social problems and concerns
• Kids engage in inspiring projects and learn how to do social organizing
• Kids' involvement in community and volunteerism
• Resources for kids

Concerns:

• School curriculum is limiting

Community opportunities:

• Middle and high school students
• Social organizations looking for volunteers
• Everyone is affected by social change

Da Club

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

[Overview needed]

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

[paste text here]

 

Melody: music education life opportunity dreams youth

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

Promote music and arts in public schools through public speaking. Appeals to students and school board members on emotional and personal level

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Stacy Salopek

What is the idea?

Promote music and arts in public schools through public speaking. Appeals to students and school board members on emotional and personal level

How would idea work?

• Features speakers who have had positive life enriching experiences with music who tell young kids about music's benefits and opportunities
• Helps with fundraising, public relations: volunteers give lessons and donate instruments and supplies. Also accepting financial donations

Pluses:

• Kids have artistic outlet
• Alternative to drugs and alcohol
• Teaches skills for rest of life (social, personal, teamwork, goals)

Concerns:

• So many schools already exist with huge variety of resources
• School curriculums already pressed for time and money

Community opportunities:

• Public and private music teachers
• Band, orchestra, chorus members, musicians
• General population and those curious about music

Space for Kids and Teens

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

A space downtown for kids and teens to hang out that is run by kids and teens: smaller centers may be located in the different neighborhoods

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Macy Lucas, Katie Linkhauer, Emily

What is the idea?

A space downtown for kids and teens to hang out that is run by kids and teens: smaller centers may be located in the different neighborhoods

How would idea work?

• It could be supported by people selling their products and be used for advertising
• Have games, activities and wifi access

Pluses:

• Kids have safe place to hang out
• Employment opportunities
• Artist exhibition

Concerns:

• Building?

Community opportunities:

Teens and kids under 18

Spin-In (Students Participating in Neighborhoods)

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

Free, safe shuttle for middle and high school students to attend after school programming and arts events of local non-profits, outside of their neighborhoods

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Alison Anderson, Richard Butler

What is the idea?

Free, safe shuttle for middle and high school students to attend after school programming and arts events of local non-profits, outside of their neighborhoods

How would idea work?

• Student designed vans (exterior, interior, sound tracks)
• After school pick up at schools that loop to participating organizations and back to neighborhoods
• Weekend neighborhood loops to special events/arts
• One adult supervisor in addition to driver for younger students
• Eco-friendly vans
• Tutors possibly on board

Pluses:

• Local non-profits use as shared service to serve underserved youth
• Cost effective
• Students are able to attend programs that interest them
• Exposure to new parts of Pgh and what Pgh has to offer

Concerns:

• Funding
• Partnership coordination
• Safety
• Scheduling/logistics
• Marketing to stakeholders - orgs, parents, kids

Community opportunities:

• Non-profits - arts/culture, community centers, YMCA, boys and girls clubs, after school centers, rec centers
• Underserved students
• Parents with latchkey kids

The Real Real World

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

[Overview needed]

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

[paste text here]

 

Youth at the Table

This Idea has been promoted to the Top 20. 

Idea Overview

Bridge the gap between high school youth and adults through meaningful collaboration on decision-making bodies - including long-term participation and mentorship on boards.

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Ryan Oliver, Paige Berry, Elizabeth Perry, Sarah Coon

What is the idea?

Our program will bring youth to the table...Bridging the gap between high school youth and adults through meaningful collaboration on decision-making bodies - including long-term participation and mentorship on boards.

How would idea work?

• Student selection: tap into potential leaders rather than identified/current student leaders, range of school participation
• Boards: range of decision-making bodies including foundations, school boards, community organizations, neighborhood associations, hospital boards, political boards, non-profits, businesses, authorities
• Boards grant full membership (within legal bounds) to students and provide one-to-one mentors (mentors are trained)
• Start small-spread program with success
• Training/retreat for both adults and youth
• Long-term commitment for all involved
• Specific involvement criteria/expectations for adults and youth
• Student incentive - college scholarship at completion
• Board contribution to program and scholarship based on ability to do so
• Student bus tickets to get to meetings
• On staff-program manager/director and a volunteer advisory board (that includes recent program alumni and/or students

Pluses:

• Students: leadership development, long-term connection to community, develop self esteem as their ideas are valued, professional development and mentoring, youth population throughout Pgh are represented, learn strategies to create change, ENGAGE, scholarship, network beyond network of their peers
• Adult Board members: window to new perspective/youth viewpoint on issues, personally and professionally challenged, change stereo-types of people different from themselves (age, race, socio-economics, gender), "Youth at the Table" organization
• Community: improved communication, representation/collaboration between under-represented communities, greater understanding, better citizens, development of youth network

Concerns:

• Diverse pool of students
• Institutional nervousness
• Board buy-in
• Long-term operating support/commitment
• Youth accessibility, transportation, availability
• Mentor clearances

Community opportunities:

• Everyone
• High school students, education establishment, political establishment, adult leadership, SPROUT
• Potential Boards: Heinz Endowments; Women and Girls Foundation; Pgh Public Schools; Grable Foundation; Pgh League of Young Voters; Charter school review teams; League of Women Voters; Urban League; YMCA/YWCA; 3 Rivers Workforce Development; UPMC; PAT; Coro; Buhl Foundation; McCune Foundation; Union Project; RK Mellon Foundation; etc., etc., etc.