The Link Between Innovation, Youth and Social Entrepreneurs

On Monday, November 16^th, 2009 thousands of thought-leaders from top universities, non-profit organizations, corporations and social businesses engaged youth in various activities for Global Entrepreneurship Week.

Joining the celebration, KooDooZ was invited into a NFTE classroom to engage high school students in the principles of social entrepreneurship and social intrapreneurship.

KooDooZ GEW Presentation

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The KooDooZ team engaged students from Soledad Enrichment Action Girls Academy with case study examples of how social intra/entrepreneurs have executed their good work – both from within the existing framework of an organization, as well as on their own laurels. Students also heard firsthand from field innovators who are tirelessly instituting change around United Nations Millennium Development Goals such as:

• Millennial Development Goal #1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger
  Mark Horvath, founder of InvisiblePeople.TV, who will put a magnifying glass on U.S. homelessness and the advocacy tools he is using to encourage public and corporate support


• Millennial Development Goal #2: Achieve Universal Primary Education
  Scott Fifer, founder of GO Campaign, who will share his experiences of working with grassroots organizations to provide access to education and help vulnerable children worldwide


• Millennial Development Goal #6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Other Diseases
  Nedra Weinreich, president and founder of Weinreich Communications, who will reveal which innovative social marketing stratagems have effectively been implemented in the health sector to advocate awareness and behavioral change around disease prevention


• Millennial Development Goal #7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability
  Alexandra Teklak, creator of Aquamantra, who will share her experiences about the new rules of business sustainability and why she decided to create an energy enhanced natural spring water bottle in the world’s first 100% biodegradable, recyclable and compostable container

Young activists have long been the vehicle for change in this country. KooDooZ believes KDZ will define the next generation of social entrepreneurs. By unleashing their creativity and ingenuity, they will naturally become agents of change on the path of empowerment and innovation.

Redefining a kid's relationship to knowledge

Youth need to see that they are an influential and vital part of the community. When we don't include our youngest members of society in conversations of innovation, we loose an opportunity to cultivate a great mind. Today's schools need to tap into the creative and collective mindshare of kids who have already identified an ability to strengthen their community vision and inspire change.

I am proud that Tara Treffry, Community Research Coordinator at KooDooZ, was invited to speak about her career in teen empowerment to the students at the Environmental Charter High School (ECHS) for the Third Annual Environmental Awareness Career Day (10/26/09 ). Of special import to ECHS students is how different careers impact the environment and the world’s resources. The goal of the day is to further the school’s emphasis on college readiness, environmentalism and social justice.

ECHS believes in the power and passion of youth and has created a program that fosters and engages its students. The school sports a never ending list of accomplishments highlighting their committment to the idea that education outside of the classroom is just as valuable as education in the classroom.

ECHS holds students to a high standard of social responsibility, requiring 80 hours of community service before graduation. Students are encouraged to develop meaningful relationships with non-profits and organizations in their community as a way to complete their hours.

Public charter schools educate 1.25 million students across 4,300 different campuses throughout 40 of our United States. Chartered with building on the academic strengths and passions of their students, schools like ECHS have been redefining a teen’s relationship to knowledge by teaching him and her to make the world a better place.

Since its inception in 2000, ECHS has integrated environmental education in its' curriculm – though back in the day, the school held classes in the basement of a local church. Now 460 students rich and with a 50-year lease from the Lawndale Elementary School District, students in 9th through 12th grades have the space to use the compost corner and nurture a self-sustaining vegetable garden, which they tend entirely on their own, even using the edibles as part of their lunch program. Leftovers are often converted into biodiesel.

Required for all students to take during their 10th grade year, the Green Ambassadors class is a grassroots program with the aim of empowering youth to be agents of change in their communities and the world:

• One Billion Bulbs: this project involves youth empowering youth to imagine the possibilities of mobilizing the world to replace one billion standard incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs.


• Plastics are Forever: is another initiative where youth empowering youth create cleaner oceans by banning plastic bags and Styrofoam (polystyrene) in Los Angeles with Algalita Marine Research Foundation, Bring Your Own, Heal the Bay and other non-profits. Most notably, in 2008, students finished building a “Flotation Machine” and earned first place for having made it out of 800 used plastic bottles. Did you know their vessel actually sailed from Santa Barbara to San Diego?


• Public Recognition: Green Ambassadors are trained in Biofuels, Organics, Biodiversity, Remediation of our soil, and constructing buildings and structures out of earth friendly materials. The school’s students and teachers have won EPA awards, Environmental Hero awards, urban poetry awards, and many more. Of import here is the “Big Ideas for a Small Planet” documentary series which presented forward-thinking designers, products and processes that are on the leading edge of a new green world. Each episode revolves around a different green theme as it spotlights a specific innovator or innovation that has the potential to transform our everyday lives.


• Environmental Educational: includes trips to places such as Catalina Island, Joshua Tree National Park, the Sespe Wilderness Reserve, and multiple green enclaves around Los Angeles. In 2007, students raised funds to go to Brazil and studied the giant river otter with the group Earthwatch.

KooDooZ hosted a booth and engaged with students who have proven that they have developed a life balance of heart, mind, body and spirit -- a balance KooDooZ hopes to inspire more kids to find.

Other invited speakers included Lisa Sarno, Executive Director at Million Trees LA ; Ana Maria Sanchez, Program Coordinator at Generation Earth / Tree People ; Lisa Cox Wildlife Biologist at Fish & Wildlife Service ; Gretchen Lewotsky VP State and Local Government Affairs and Environmental Operations at Fox Entertainment Group ; Juan Devis Director of Production at KCET ; and two dozen other speakers from socially conscious organizations.

How Can Kids Make A Difference?

Experts ascribe different traits to different generations. Based on my personal and professional experience, I would agree that members of “Generation Z,” (born mid-1990s through the first part of this decade) are just as anxious as their older "Gen Y Millennial" siblings to make a difference.

Gen Z is the “Look At Me” generation who enjoy social networks, text messaging and keeping in virtual (if not virtuous) contact with their friends. Social researchers anticipate a strong social conscious and work ethic.

Typically, their heroes are close to their hearts, many naming grandparents, teachers and mentors over entertainers or politicians.

True, many of the Gen Z youth are still in their tweens and early teens, thus in a stage of evolution. But these kids will be leading the world in a couple of decades, so why not invite them to share their strong opinions now?

In partnership with Dreams For Kids and Split Pillow, we decided to ask:


The above video was shot, produced and edited entirely by kids in the Dreams Leaders program, with the professional equipment and guidance from Split Pillow.

Wanting to tap into the savvy technology skills of these kids, KooDooZ proposed to the Dreams Leaders Director, Abby Kritzler and Dennis Belogorsky, Executive Director of media literacy non-profit Split Pillow, the development of an online KooDooZ site challenge for kids across the nation to share their thoughts on video about how to make a difference.

Local Chicago youth in the Dream Leaders program were educated about how they can use media as an influential tool for social innovation and drive awareness to humanitarian issues.

How are you making a difference? Share with us! Here's how:

1. “Get In” KooDooZ by registering for an account
2. On the challenge board, find the “To Get Focused on Philanthropy” challenge
3. Click the “Subscribe” bulls-eye button to subscribe to the challenge and view all requirements
4. Upload your video directly on the KooDooZ site

About Split Pillow: Split Pillow is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the development of emerging filmmakers, the production of collaborative motion pictures and the promotion of media literacy through events, projects and workshops that foster education, appreciation and artistic innovation. In addition to providing creative opportunities for emerging film-makers in the Midwest, Split Pillow is also one of the region’s foremost advocates of Media Literacy education. Motion pictures are undeniably one of America’s greatest contributions to world culture and one of our most powerful tools for expressing the diversity of the human experience.

About Dreams for Kids: Founded in 1989, Dreams for Kids is a volunteer based, registered non-profit 501(c)(3) children’s charity that works to break down social barriers and end the isolation of children in need. Our mission is to empower young people of all abilities through dynamic leadership programs and life-changing activities that inspire them to fearlessly pursue their dreams and compassionately change the world. Through various initiatives from global awareness workshops to adaptive sporting events, Dreams for Kids unites children of every ability, race, religion, and socio-economic background and inspires them to realize their full potential and serve as active members of their communities and citizens of the world.

Also see: Focusing on Philanthropy with Kids

• Today’s young generation deeply cares about impacting their local and global communities.
• 54% of teens support a cause online
• 34% volunteer, according to a recent Common Sense Media poll.

Sustainability: Our Challenge. Our Future.

Today is August 12^th – International Youth Day. Designated by the United Nations one decade ago, this day is purposed with raising awareness of youth-related issues around the world.

Sustainability: Our Challenge. Our Future.

This year the United Nations is encouraging youth to prove themselves to be key partners in sustainable development. “Young people often lead by example,” said U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. “Sustainability is the most promising path forward, and youth can lead the way.”

According to the UN, sustainability does not only mean keeping our environment safe for the future, “sustainability encapsulates three facets of life: the environment, society and the economy.” That means that everything we do -- every action we take – can have a ripple effect expanding beyond local communities clear to the other side of the world.

One way in which KooDooZ is embracing the United Nations’ Sustainability Challenge is to encourage KDZ (our site users) to put a sustainable message on a bottle. Literally.

“We’re asking KDZ to design an image or a message that effectively communicates the importance of water as a source of health and wellness for both people and planet,” said Lee Fox, founder of KooDooZ.

The winning “Ripple Effect” design will be produced on white stainless steel water bottles, earning the creator $125-dollars PLUS $1 per bottle purchased on the KooDooZ website for the first year. Additionally, $1 from each bottle sold will also be donated to KidShape, a non-profit organization that builds healthy families.

Sponsoring this challenge is EcoUsable, a company with the mission to save our planet one bottle at a time. “Every day, 60-million water bottles go into landfills,” said Joey Mendelsohn, EcoUsable President and Founder. “We team up with other environmentally friendly companies with similar visions because we can’t do it alone. If we combine our efforts, we will be able to make the difference the world needs for the success of future generations.”

One hundred community friends in Southern California will be gifted with an EcoUsable water bottle on Saturday, August 15^th during a KooDooZ co-sponsored walk to raise awareness for youth health & wellness.

As guardians of tomorrow, youth must be listened to, included and engaged today. It will be with their creativity and energy, that our challenge with sustainability will be turned into an achievement of stewardship.

To Create an EcoUsable “Ripple Effect” Design: (Challenge Ends: 09/30/09)

This challenge serves as a call to action for KDZ (kids & families using KooDooZ) to make a difference by focusing on a global sense of social responsibility. NOTE: “Ripple Effect” is also a term used to describe how one action can trigger another.

• Go to KooDooZ: http://www.KooDooZ.com/
• Click “Get In:” on the landing page and “Log In:” on your KooDooZ desktop
• Click on “Global” on the left side of the bulletin board
• Click on “To Do A Water ‘Ripple Effect’ Design” challenge (Note: you may need to scroll down)
• Click on the “Subscribe” button (the red bulls-eye)
• Complete the challenge To Do List and turn this challenge into an achievement!

Together, KooDooZ and KDZ can celebrate 10 years of International Youth Day while inspiring health and wellness for both people and planet.

OBESITY IS A CHALLENGE KDZ CAN OVERCOME – WALK FOR AWARENESS.

Obesity in America

According to the American Heart Association, approximately 9 million children (between the ages 6 and 19) are considered obese in the United States, equivalent to the entire population of the state of North Carolina. Something needs to be done to trim down the expanding waistlines of American youth.

This summer KooDooZ challenges us to raise awareness about the obesity epidemic and help the public understand that for the first time in history, this next generation will not outlive their parents unless we make a change.

Being overweight means greater health risks:

• According to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, 1 in 3 American kids will develop Type 2 Diabetes in their lifetime
• Tens of millions of Americans suffer every day from preventable illness and chronic disease, and we spend over $2 trillion annually trying to reverse this serious health trend

Obesity impacts more than health: Social isolation, guilt, and even self-loathing can become wellness issues that follow obese people through their lives.

Fortunately, obesity is both preventable and reversible. Even small changes to diet and exercise routines can positively affect health and wellness. Here’s an easy call-to-action you can take now:

Tour De Fitness (Santa Monica, CA 08/15/09)

O2 MAX has partnered with KooDooZ to redefine fitness for youth by empowering them to embrace exercise, nutrition, and healthy living with a “power walk.” Branded Tour de Fitness (TDF), this walk enables youth and their families to enjoy a day of activities while promoting the importance of fitness, exercise and nutrition. TDF was created by O2 MAX to raise awareness about the youth obesity crisis.

We are providing three ways you can help us turn this healthy challenge into an achievement:

1. Take on the Tour de Fitness challenge in your own community:

• To organize your own TDF, visit http://www.KooDooZ.com/
• Click "Get In:" on the landing page and "Log In" on your KooDooZ desktop
• Click on "Global" on the left side of the bulletin board
• Click on the “To Do A Tour de Fitness 09” challenge
• Click on the "Subscribe" button (the red bulls-eye)
• To be eligible for prize consideration: build in stops to refuel, document your group talking about healthy eating habits, share fun exercise methods by inviting local sports and fitness personalities to spend a few minutes training your group, and upload your TDF video documentary to the KooDooZ video portal

2. Walk on August 15th in the Santa Monica Tour de Fitness:

• Go to KooDooZ: http://www.KooDooZ.com/
• Click "Get In:" on the landing page and "Log In" on your KooDooZ desktop
• Click on "Global" on the left side of the bulletin board
• Click on "To Do TDF '09 in Santa Monica" challenge
• Click on the "Subscribe" button (the red bulls-eye)
• Complete the challenge To Do List and turn this challenge into an achievement!

3. Over 18? Volunteer at the Santa Monica Tour de Fitness:

• Volunteer to help register kids and their families in the morning, walk with groups of kids and/or help coordinate activity stops along the way
• Register via Meetup at http://walkers.meetup.com/676/calendar/10926551/ or send an email to info@KooDooZ.com
• Indicate if you would like to volunteer for an AM or PM shift (the event is scheduled from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm)

Watch a video from last year's Tour de Fitness!

Focusing on Philanthropy with Kids

There are 80 million tweens, teens and twentysomethings in the Millennial generation (born in and around the 1980s through the turn of the century). More than half of these young people have community service experience or have tried their hand as entrepreneurs. Many are concerned with urgent social challenges – such as poverty, climate change, homelessness – and want to be part of something bigger than themselves.

Despite their social and economical potential, the voice of youth under the age of 18 remains a whisper in society’s ear. KooDooZ and two non-profit partners, Split Pillow and Dreams for Kids, are actively interviewing youth this summer to unearth the answer to the question: “What can you do to help people live better lives?”.

Our first interview was with Ben Spengel, a 12-year-old boy with cerebral palsy who thought kids with disabilities should be able to compete in a track meet. Just shy of his 11th birthday, Ben told his mom about a way he thought he could help people like him. "Figure out what you can do, and then just work really hard at being really good," his mom advised.

With his goal clearly articulated, Ben approached McHenry, IL Mayor Sue Low and explained his idea of hosting an “Assisted Walk” competition. Maybe it was because Mayor Low had been a special education teacher herself for 33 years, or maybe it was because Ben's passion was contagious. Either way, the Mayor believed Ben could take on this challenge and make a real-world difference.

He did. Ben started by typing out a proposal for the city council to consider and then spreading the word through his school, explaining how kids could empower each other with simple cheers of support.

This month, Ben saw his dream become a reality for the second time. The first race held in 2008 had two participants. This July, Ben's event more than doubled. Five 6-14 year olds using crutches, walkers, canes or wheelchairs were able to participate in five different activities: the 25-meter race, 100-meter relay, a softball throw, a discus toss, and long jump.

Ben's interview will be available next month.

It is our hope that Ben's story will inspire more youth to share their ideas on how to help people live better lives or to interview a local change-maker who already has.

Challenges facing today's youth (according to UNICEF) include:

• One-half the world's population (3 billion people) live on less than $2 a day
• 30,000 children die every single day due to poverty
• Nearly 1 billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their name
• Over 253 million children -- some as young as 5 years old -- work in Child Labor

These statistics only emphasize the need to empower KDZ to help kids, and that's exactly what KooDooZ, Dreams for Kids, and Split Pillow are doing. Will you take the KooDooZ Challenge** "To Get Focused on Philanthropy"?

Dreams for Kids is a children’s charity that offers a safe place where young people of all abilities are empowered to fearlessly pursue their dreams and compassionately change the world. Split Pillow is a non-profit motion picture production and media literacy education company. Together, these two Chicago-based organizations and KooDooZ are empowering KDZ to get behind the camera and take action.

Through this challenge, kids will get focused on philanthropy and improve their understanding of critical world issues.

**To register:

1. Visit http://www.koodooz.com/ and click on the “Get In” button


2. Create an account and click the “To Get Focused on Philanthropy” challenge on the bulletin board (on the left piece of paper)


3. Click the “Subscribe” target button and start the challenge!

Entrepreneurs Can Change The World

I see a social entrepreneur as an ordinary thinker with an extraordinary thought. Who measures success -- not with income of dollars -- but outcomes of sense. Someone who tries not to fail, but more importantly, fails not to try.

Today, a friend shared the below video.

Applause to Sonja Jacob, Carly Cornado & Ben White (creators of this media) who developed it to inspire people to see themselves as a vehicle of change, with passion as the driver and innovation as the fuel. (I hope the viral nature of your piece benefits grasshopper, as it was intended).

As the video so clearly illustrates, a kdz age might limit his time on earth, but his impact on our world should be unlimited.

Please, challenge your kdz to achieve.