The Carson J Spencer Foundation Funds Youth Social Enterprises to Prevent Suicide

David Bornstein, author, said “What business entrepreneurs are to the economy, social entrepreneurs are to social change. They are driven, creative individuals who question the status quo, exploit new opportunities, refuse to give up, and remake the world for the better.” This year classrooms all across the state of Colorado competed in the 7^th annual “FIRE Within Business Plan Competition” to do exactly that. For an entire year, students across the state work to develop businesses that look at a double bottom line -- garnering both a profit and making an impact in the community. The students participate in the FIRE Within, a year-long, innovative curriculum from the Carson J Spencer Foundation. They’re taught how to develop a product or service that will generate revenue while also addressing a root cause of student distress. Because the program has grown so large, this year the competition was divided into two parts: new businesses competition and returning businesses competition. Business community leaders from all over Denver volunteered as judges for the competition, which included representation from Colorado State Bank and Trust, Johns Manville, Denver Fire Department, Centennial PEAKS, Sky Blue Builders, Daniels Fund, CoBiz, Highlands Behavioral Health, First Bank, Mountain States Employers Council and so many more. Both competitions took place in the board room of Ireland Stapleton.

“What is great about the program is that it is not your standard business plan competition; instead it is a challenge to the students to develop innovative ideas to address a serious issue in an entrepreneurial and sustainable way,” Matt Mason, Senior Vice President at Colorado State Bank and Trust, said.

Returning Business First Place Winner
Green Mountain High School

In the returning business category, the finalists were George Washington High School from Denver Public Schools, Highlands Ranch High School from Douglas County School District, and Green Mountain High School from Jefferson County Public Schools. Highlands Ranch High School won second place with an award of $350 for their business idea to create a Memorial Life Garden and sell “Life Boxes” (creative planers) from it. Green Mountain High School won first place for an award of $500 for their business idea to create a workbook for elementary age kids called, “Dear Parents from Kids: Let’s Talk about Mental Health.”

“The students’ enthusiasm to educate not only their peers but also adults around them was contagious,” said Debbie Ryan, Chief Human Resources and Communications Officer at Johns Manville. “It was great to see future leaders stepping forward to tackle what can be a difficult subject and speaking openly about the challenges of being a teenager today.”

New Business First Place Winner
Thornton High School

In the new business competition, Thornton High School from Adams 12 School District, Aurora Central High from Aurora Public Schools, and Plum Creek Academy from Douglas County School District were showcased. Each of the participating schools created innovative approaches to suicide prevention in their schools and communities. Aurora Central High took second place for $350. Thornton High won first place for $500 for their business of branded water bottles that have coping strategies written on them to help students learn other ways to deal with stress.

 “Their willingness to take that step and just communicate is the proof that the FIRE Within program will have a lasting impact on all those that are involved,” said Mason.