Country of Residence
United States
Age
16
Project title
GTCUW & NHS School Supply Packs
Project Summary: Describe your project in one sentence
We build school supply packs for communities who need them.
Website URL(s) or social media handles.
Project Category
My project is an existing project that I started
Project Stage
Idea (We’re hoping to get started in the future)
Founding Story: What was the spark that led you to start your project? What was the "Aha!" moment that led you to get started and see the potential for this to succeed?
It was a moment in which my friends and I were trying to brainstorm ideas for NHS projects. I wanted to make sure any project I was going to do would be impactful in some way. Then, I thought about some things that are connected to school & things that benefit me as a person. So, I searched on google and looked for opportunities for impacting my community academically (in the Minnesota Twin States region). We found the website "Greater Twin Cities Under Way", which help those in need.
The Problem: What problem are you helping to solve? Why does it matter to you and your community?
I want to make a difference to those who don't have enough school supplies to attend school or any general education. It matters because everyone deserves an education with access to tools that will make them successful.
Your Solution: How are you solving this problem? Share your specific solution.
The process is simple: families from my school and general area can donate school supplies to us. Additionally, we'll try to use monetary donations to shop & pack these supplies. Finally, we will send them over to GTCUW to deliver them to families in need.
Impact: How has your project created impact / made a difference so far? Or, if at an early stage, what will impact look like?
Kids who feel like they aren't ready for school, possibly because of financial trouble or other reasons, will not have to feel burdened. Just a small difference--the ability to have notebooks, pencils, paper, etc-- could put a smile on someone's face and allow them to feel welcome & learn.
Your Innovation: What is different about your project compared to other programs or solutions already out there? How is your project new or innovative?
It's quite different from NHS projects in my school. Usually, the NHS members recycle common ideas & projects. However, I really wanted to come up with something new, or even bring back past ideas that have sizzled out. I did this previously with a book fair & chocolate fundraiser--both were past projects I remember loving as a kid, but they died out. I want to rekindle, build new ideas, and use my resources to impact my community.
How many people are on your team?
3
Your team: What role(s) do your team members play? How do you share leadership with them?
We all share leadership together. Since there are 3 of us, we can split up the work evenly. For example, one person can create posters/public promotions for the project. Another one can handle the logistics of the project--supplies, which types, etc. The third can coordinate/oversee. These tasks can be intermingled with each other--if someone needs help. Finally all three of us will work together to build the school supply packs (maybe with help from other schoolmates) and donate them.
What’s Next: What are the next steps you plan to take to grow or strengthen your project over the next year? If your project is still in the idea stage, describe the steps you will take over the next three months to launch or begin developing it.
After our proposal is accepted by our NHS advisor. We'll first begin will promotions: emails, posters, spoken words, etc. Next, we'll set up donation boxes throughout the school, allow students & parents to donate supplies (that are in our list of accepted items), and we'll shop for additional items with donated funds. Finally, my partners & I will place all necessary items in each pack, and donate them to GTCUW.
How do you encourage other people to join your project or learn about the problem you’re working on? If you have a new idea, tell us how you will do this in the future.
Well, the best way to draw in people is to find those like-minded people. I know many who are willing to make a difference. In our case (a private Islamic school), it's a religious duty to do good in the world--this project is one of such ways to fulfill our duties. Furthermore, with younger children, we can have incentives (such as a competition) to push the students to donate more. Finally, social media and the internet can play a big part in publicizing our idea.
