Activate Empathy Through Online Counseling and Mentorship
Student online resource center that provides socio-emotional support and academic mentorship
About You
About You
About Your Organization
Organization Name
Organization Website
Organization Country
United States
Country where this project is creating social impact
United States, CA, Orange County
Is your organization a
Other
Your role in Education
Parent.
The type of school(s) your solution is affiliated with
Public (tuition-free)
How long has your organization been operating?
Please select
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Innovation
Select the stage that best applies to your solution
Idea (you're poised to launch)
How long has your solution been in operation?
Still in idea phase, but looking to launch soon
The Need: What problem are you trying to solve?
Students going through personal crisis (problems with family, friends, school) often do not have enough and available free resources to turn to for emotional support, practical information, and advice. Although schools provide limited counseling, students often only turn to these counselors for academic guidance. Students rarely go to school counselor for personal problems for several reasons. Also, students do not normally seek professional help because of the associated costs, for fear of being labeled as "crazy", and for fear of the possible consequences (ie. being taken away from his family). Students who have no friends end up feeling isolated, depressed, angry, unwanted, and lost. These students often end up dropping out of schools, turning to drugs, committing crimes and suicide.
The Solution: What is your solution? Be specific!
a student resource center/website, that is made available within school websites and school district websites, that will provide an ongoing (24/7) socio-emotional and academic support system among students
The Model: Walk us through a specific example of how your solution makes a difference; include your primary activities
- Provide an ongoing (24/7) online socio-emotional support system among students
- Enable a student to seek immediate emotional support via real-time chat with another student who is available online, and also enable the “listening” student to empathize with the other student (“Help!” portion of the website)
- Match students by language and personality type, which would allow for a more effective communication and collaboration, and at the same time self-knowledge and self-awareness (“Who Am I” portion of the website)
- Post questions and answers anonymously in the “I Need Advice” portion of the website
- Enable a student to seek student mentors on different course subjects (e.g., “Learning Zone” portion of the website is where students can post questions and answers in Math, English, Science, History, etc.)
- Enable students to be aware of and share information on what is going on in their local schools and communities (“News” portion of the website)
- automatic filter and removal of unpleasant and vulgar posts before being published on the website to avoid negativity and to stay focused in the purpose of the website
The Marketplace: Who are your peers and competitors? Identify others also working to address the needs you are and what differentiates you from them. What challenges could these players pose to your success or growth?
This project will require the cooperation of schools and school districts, as well as awareness among students of the existence of the website.
Now that you have thought out your entry, help us pitch it.
Define your company, program, service, or product in 1-2 short sentences [136 characters]
An online student resource center for socio-emotional support and academic assistance
Identify what is innovative about your solution in 1-2 short sentences [136 characters]
This oneline support system will be available 24/7 and allows for anonimity and privacy, as well as student connections and networking.
Social Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
What has been the impact of your solution to date?
What is your projected impact over the next 1-3 years?
Help students build self-esteem and better and stronger relationships with their families and others; facilitate positive academic, socio-emotional and behavioral outcome; prevent violence and illegal activities
Winning entries present a strong plan for how they will achieve and track growth. Identify your six-month milestone for growing your impact
Launch the online resource center and advertise its existence and availability.
Identify three major tasks you will have to complete to reach your six-month milestone
Task 1
Completion of the online resource center and enable it to track user registrations, usage, and activities.
Task 2
Create partnerships with schools and school districts in order to make this project available in their websites.
Task 3
Increase awareness among students of the existence of this online resource center
Now think bigger! Identify your 12-month impact milestone
Expand the online resource center to other school districts within two counties in Southern California.
Identify three major tasks you will have to complete to reach your 12-month milestone
Task 1
Create partnerships with other schools and school districts in Orange County and LA County.
Task 2
Continued enhancements and improvements to the online resource center.
Task 3
Get donations and qualified volunteers to assist in the maintenance of the online resource center.
Founding Story: We want to hear about your "Aha!" moment. Share the story of where and when the founder(s) saw this solution's potential to change the world [125 words]
I'm an only child and never really had friends or family to turn to for emotional support. At the age of 42, I found my "best friend" to be a paid psychotherapist to help me through my issues. Now my daughter is going through the same thing, and i found out about this the hard way. As close as I thought she and I were, I realized that there are just some things she will not bring to me for advice for fear of being judged and/or punished. And because of the stigma about seeing therapists (being labeled by others as "crazy") and counselors ("troubled student"), resources for socio-emotional support become even more scarce. Just a few days ago, I almost lost my daughter to death. She is a wonderful daughter and an A-student, and never projected any sign of depression. I had no idea she was going through so much emotional turmoil, I was blindsided. I know I can get professional help for her, but what if it had been too late for her?
Sustainability
Tell us about your partnerships
Partnerships with schools and school districts
What type of team (staff, volunteers, etc.) will ensure that you achieve the growth milestones identified in the Social Impact section? [75 words]
Volunteers with some experience in web development.
Volunteers who can do some public relations in order to form partnerships with schools and school districts.
Please elaborate on any needs or offers you have mentioned above and/or suggest categories of support that aren't specified within the list
 | 16 weeks agoCecile Lorenzana updated this Competition Entry. |
| 16 weeks agoCecile Lorenzana updated this Competition Entry. |
| 16 weeks agoCecile Lorenzana submitted this idea. |
