Winners Announced in the Social Enterprise of the Year Competition

By Ginna Jones

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

The Carson J Spencer Foundation uses the FIRE Within program to empower high school youth to change the world they live in by launching student-led social enterprises that directly impact upstream causes of suicide among their peers. Targeting root causes of mental health distress such as bullying or peer pressure, students create and sell products or services designed to combat the problem and connect their classmates to help. In an end-of-year competition, a national panel of judges review students' work and names the most successful businesses as Social Enterprise of the Year. These classes will be presented with their prestigious award at the annual Shining Lights of Hope Gala on August 18, 2016.

George Washington

George Washington High School FIRE Class

George Washington High School, in Denver Public Schools, has been running FIRE Within for the past four years. This year, FIRE Within students in Eric Rodriguez's Psychology class worked to find a primary cause of mental health distress in their school and create a unique product to help reduce the problem. Student-led research showed that peers were experiencing extenuating pressure to balance competing responsibilities to school, family, friends, extracurricular activities, and relationships. They learned that many of their classmates coped with this stress by turning to exercise, through sports inside and outside of school. From this, an idea was born. H2OK is a simple water bottle with a twist. It contains an infuser that allows purchasers to add fruit or ice, giving it a more personalized feel. The name connects to their message that it's important to take care of ourselves physically and mentally, asking for help, focusing on overall health, and it's H2OK to take a break. Water bottles were sold with information on school counselors and the suicide prevention hotline, making it easier to talk about suicide prevention and connecting customers with recommended mental health resources.

"Our mission is to sell as many water bottles as we can to the entire school. We are trying to send out a message that life is worth living, and that each student at George Washington High School is worthy of happiness," an H2OK Student Entrepreneur said.

Students coordinated with administrators to sell H2OK water bottles in the North Lobby where students often hang out during lunch and after school. They incentivized purchases and return visits to their booth by providing free refills of water and iced tea, donated by a local business, and fresh fruit for infusers. Word caught on quickly and customers referred friends, siblings, parents, teachers, and coaches to purchase the product. Their tactics were a success and H2OK sold out of water bottles before the end of the year.

"What inspired me about H2OK was their willingness and dedication to working together as a team. There were times when working separately would have been easier, but they valued each other and wanted to hear everyone's ideas. If someone couldn't work the booth, at least two other students would volunteer. They did everything together," said Jenn Marshall, Sphere Education and FIRE Within Educator.

Dakota Ridge High

Dakota Ridge High School FIRE Within Class

Dakota Ridge began implementing the FIRE Within in Rachel Caliga's Entrepreneurship class in January of this year. The students had to work quickly to catch up with their competition as other FIRE classes had begun developing their suicide prevention initiatives last fall. With a drive to succeed, Dakota Ridge quickly pinpointed that their school community was overwhelmingly challenged by an academic pressure to succeed, at times compounded by struggles with depression and anxiety. After tragically losing a student at their school to suicide, these entrepreneurs knew their peers were at risk. In response, they designed their social enterprise, Operation Upstream, to spread messages of hope and increase access to suicide prevention resources. To combat sluggish sales, students had to think outside the box to find ways to raise funds and market their business. They organized an inter-school kickball tournament with Columbine High School, hosted a successful online fundraiser, facilitated carnival games during lunch hours, and solicited donations from local businesses.

"This group is very impressive, from the number of kids involved to the dedication and passion for the cause. They have built a company with a business plan that is sustainable and effective in achieving their goals. It was very clear to me that they really care for the well-being of their fellow students," said Lee Mulberry, Northern Star Consulting.

In less than a semester, Operation Upstream raised over $3,000 that they will put towards continuing their vital suicide prevention work. Elections were held for leadership positions and students look forward to expanding their legacy in the 2016-2017 school year.

"I am incredibly proud of these students and this program. This year showed me that not only is the FIRE within teaching our youth about suicide prevention, but it is empowering them with the tools, passion, and commitment to stand up for their communities and loved ones," Jamie Lowther, FIRE Within Educator, said.

*****

About the Carson J Spencer Foundation - Sustaining a Passion for Living

The Carson J Spencer Foundation (www.CarsonJSpencer.org) is a Colorado nonprofit, established in 2005.  We envision a world where leaders and communities are committed to sustaining a passion for living. We sustain a passion for living by:

• Delivering innovative and effective suicide prevention programs for working-aged people
• Empowering youth entrepreneurs to prevent suicide
• Supporting people bereaved by suicide

The Carson J Spencer Foundation is the proud 2013 recipient of the “Small Nonprofit of the Year” award from the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.