Giraffe Juice
Giraffe Juice, founded by JP Allen; both books and a website for sharing NVC (Nonviolent Communication, developed by M Rosenberg)with children and youth.
About You
About You
About Your Organization
Organization Name
Giraffe Juice
Organization Website
Organization Country
United States, CA, Berkeley, Alameda County
Country where this project is creating social impact
United States
Is your organization a
Business
Your role in Education
Other.
The type of school(s) your solution is affiliated with
Other
How long has your organization been operating?
1‐5 years
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Innovation
Select the stage that best applies to your solution
Growth (your pilot is up and running, and starting to expand)
How long has your solution been in operation?
Operating for 1‐5 years
The Need: What problem are you trying to solve?
Giraffe Juice, the books are aimed at addressing bullying. The project is aimed at teaching children, their families and teachers about empathy and connection, and to serve as a clearing house, of sorts, for NVC (Nonviolent Communication as developed by Marshall Rosenberg)when and where it is directed at serving children. NVC and empathy are amazing tools that will solve the problems of violence and isolation.
The Solution: What is your solution? Be specific!
When people build their empathy skills they become able to understand why people do what they do, and see actions without judgment. Judgment stands in the way of connection and of solutions to problems. NVC teaches the skills that help us return to our empathic nature. Giraffe Juice, the books and the website, help children learn about empathy and NVC, thus regaining those live-serving skills.
The Model: Walk us through a specific example of how your solution makes a difference; include your primary activities
We are in the process of promoting the reader and workbook by reaching out to NVC trainers, family camps, and others serving children. The book has encouraged children and youth to start empathy groups in person and online. The website is designed to help anyone who wishes to share their experiences with empathy as well as other resources for learning and sharing empathy and NVC.
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?
Because our goal is to spread empathy I see no-one in our 'business' as competition; our goal is only served all groups, businesses, and individuals teaching NVC and/or empathy. One challenge is differentiating between empathy and sympathy or other forms of mollifying feelings. This mis-understanding makes it a bit more difficult to share the value of empathy.
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]
Giraffe Juice' mission is to support people all over the world to learn Nonviolent Communication and thus grow peace and understanding.
Identify what is innovative about your solution in 1-2 short sentences [136 characters]
Giraffe Juice simplifies the skills used in NVC, thus making NVC accessible to all people with little or no formal education.
Social Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
What has been the impact of your solution to date?
Feedback we have received include: support at school in negotiating bullying situations; teaching a violent father to handle his anger differently (reported by a domestic violence counselor); and encouraging a child to start a "Giraffe Club" at his school (the giraffe is the symbol for NVC(tm) and stands, in part, for having a big heart and sticking your neck out to promote connection).
What is your projected impact over the next 1-3 years?
We are planning to add other books to our offerings, as well as newsletters where we share ideas for growing NVC skills including empathy. As our reach grows around the United States and around the world we hope to give away and sell at least one million copies of Giraffe Juice so as to spread these valuable skills and change millions of lives.
Winning entries present a strong plan for how they will achieve and track growth. Identify your six-month milestone for growing your impact
Outreach email to 500 persons and organizations
Identify three major tasks you will have to complete to reach your six-month milestone
Task 1
develop address lists
Task 2
redraft letter to each type of individual and organization
Task 3
continue to interact with people posting on our Facebook and web pages
Now think bigger! Identify your 12-month impact milestone
Follow up with outreach group and deliver at least 5000 copies of Giraffe Juice
Identify three major tasks you will have to complete to reach your 12-month milestone
Task 1
Draft follow up letters, finalize letters
Task 2
Set up self-print accounts in a Australia or New Zealand and England (we already have one in US)
Task 3
Follow up with current users of Giraffe Juice to get more subscribers.
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]
Giraffe Juice was written by JP Allen and Marci Winters to help fill a deficit in NVC: materials for children. As and NVC practitioner JP saw this as a great opportunity to contribute to children and their families: NVC helps people communicate and connect with one another, and to recognize feelings and needs so as to live lives full of joy and connection. The website was developed to promote the distribution of the books, and to further support children, teachers and families by being a "one stop shopping" place for all things related to this dream of joyful and connected children and families.
Sustainability
Tell us about your partnerships
Giraffe Juice has been distributed by a few NVC organizations in the US and by a few NVC trainers.
What type of team (staff, volunteers, etc.) will ensure that you achieve the growth milestones identified in the Social Impact section? [75 words]
We currently have a team of 7 volunteers; 5 in the US and 2 abroad. As sales become a significant source of income we will be able to have paid staff.
Please elaborate on any needs or offers you have mentioned above and/or suggest categories of support that aren't specified within the list
We would love support in spreading the word of the books and upcoming newsletters, as well as finding new books that support our mission. We would love to advertise similar books and resources on our website.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| giraffe-juice.pdf | 468.67 KB |
 | 59 weeks ago Barbara Kochan updated this Competition Entry. |
| 59 weeks ago Barbara Kochan submitted this idea. |
