October 2008 Hall of Fame
STAY TRUE: Service-learning Experiences for At-risk Youth
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR ALL THE SUPPORT!! Many people put an extraordinary amount of time and effort into getting us each and every vote. That votes are currently being "verified" by Ideablob, and we will only get the official tally in about a week. The current total for STAY TRUE is 1747 votes!!
Q1: Do you believe in the power of community service to inspire students to become better citizens?
Idea Description
Stay True is a Philadelphia-based, non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and inspiring at-risk youth to become powerful agents of change through service-learning projects. Stay True offers after-school, extra-curricular programs that give students the knowledge, skills, and confidence to begin addressing the social/political issues that disproportionately affect their communities.
STAY TRUE recruits highly-motivated students between the ages of 11-18 from low-income communities to participate in a four-month-long leadership program focused on raising their social/political awareness and involvement. The program will focus on education, poverty, the environment, and citizenship.
What will you do if you win $10,000 for this idea?
The $10K will truly be critical in helping Stay True offer students these live-changing, service-learning programs. The support will help provide us with the resources needed to offer a variety of programs that will help address the issues confronting many Philadelphians in low-income communities, while also shaping our youth into more responsible and socially-active leaders.
A four-month program requires the following:
1) Transportation (approx. $2500)
2) High-quality Instruction (approx. $1000)
3) Final Project Budget (approx. $2500)
4) Supplies and Equipment (approx. $200)
5) Scholarships (approx. $3000)
Projected Total Program Cost: $10,000
Good luck! I just started and am struggling here! What advice do you have? CynthiaH
Hey isaar, I was asked by the folks at Ideablob to take down our point totals even though they were listed as preliminary. As you know, since you shared as well, we did receive 1454 total votes (when you subtract the votes we got in the first round to get in, which weren't counted in this last round of voting). I think it's only fair you know that since you shared, as well. So that means, you may have to adjust your total number of votes down by subtracting the total votes you received in the first round (the sprint) from the total votes that you see listed under "My Ideas". I'd still assume you guys pulled this out, but I'm just wondering if you beat us by 300, or 100 (frankly, the 300 would feel SO much better). :)
Hey isaar, I was asked by the folks at Ideablob to take down our point totals even though they were listed as preliminary. As you know, since you shared as well, we did receive 1454 total votes (when you subtract the votes we got in the first round to get in, which weren't counted in this last round of voting). I think it's only fair you know that since you shared, as well. So that means, you may have to adjust your total number of votes down by subtracting the total votes you received in the first round (the sprint) from the total votes that you see listed under "My Ideas". I'd still assume you guys pulled this out, but I'm just wondering if you beat us by 300, or 100 (frankly, the 300 would feel SO much better). :)
Hey Folks, I updated our page to show how many votes we received in total. I'm curious as to how many votes the rest of the finalists have. The suspense is definitely killing us. :) Check out the top of our post and if you're interested, follow suit. I'm sure your voters are curious, too.
Exactly what I wrote to AVP...wow, this is a furious competition. I really do love that we all are being positive about this. Good luck over the next 2 hours. My gf and I cancelled the 1st half of our halloween plans...we had to stick around for a bit. Now, may nature take its course...or your efforts. At the end, I think we've all benefitted from this race, regardless of who wins...
We'd be honored to have you sponsor a book. Let's talk through it. I'm in Philly at least once a week (we have a basketball league on wednesday nights). Let's make it happen! Good luck. You guys look like you've come from 3rd place to put this in the bag. Congrats on the effort.
Nir, great idea and great work. You definitely need a sweet promotional video though, to get the word out there and to help with fundraising. But yea, really good stuff, man.
Dear Nir, I met you at Rittenhouse Square Park, and you told me about your great idea. I've voted before, and am doing it again! Just want to say Best of Luck and may the Creator bless you and the children whose lives you are trying to uplift. I hope you win, you (and the kids) deserve it! Much love, brother, Stay True to yourself!! I hope that this project takes off and just keeps growing. Let me know if I can help in any way- email me at: tabrukii@yahoo.com
For the last 7 years, I have worked with at-risk children in New York at a local mentoring program. My first Kiba Kiba Book (www.kibakiba.org) was created by them. If you are inspired, please vote to support my project as well: http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/3407-Kiba-Kiba-Books-Illustrated-b The children and I greatly appreciate the vote of support now that we are no longer in direct competition with each other! :) GOOD LUCK on your project! I wish you well.
Interesting voting pattern Stay True. We love the "alphasigma1" - "alphasigma25" streak you have going here.
...putting in a late vote for the kids. Best of luck! Well put TomT
Best Idea here, period. Imagine the innovation that could actually come out of these inner-city areas besides "do you want fries with that" if the youth had some sort of guidence. While this may be a Philadelphia project, I can see this having a tremendously positive affect on all major cities throughout the US. Ideas to save people are much more useful than ideas to save money.
Hey Patrick, I'd have to say I'm a little upset by your post. It is great that you're supportive of the idea in Philadelphia (I grew up just out side of Philly and I am in the city now). But AVP has developed an exciting concept and something that though invented 10 years ago, is still not commercially available en masse. To another level, it is a global issue being addressed versus a local issue--not better, not worse, just different. As the individual in second place, I would obviously want my idea to win, but I think we should focus on the positive aspects of our projects and not necessarily highlight what we may perceive are shortcomings of another project. Stay True is a great idea, so is AVP. So are the others listed here. I think we should celebrate the positives...
Hey Patrick, I'd have to say I'm a little upset by your post. It is great that you're supportive of the idea in Philadelphia (I grew up just out side of Philly and I am in the city now). But AVP has developed an exciting concept and something that though invented 10 years ago, is still not commercially available en masse. To another level, it is a global issue being addressed versus a local issue--not better, not worse, just different. As the individual in second place, I would obviously want my idea to win, but I think we should focus on the positive aspects of our projects and not necessarily highlight what we may perceive are shortcomings of another project. Stay True is a great idea, so is AVP. So are the others listed here. I think we should celebrate the positives...
im rather upset because the invention that is in first place has already been invented 10 years ago...furthermore, the problem of global warming is being worked upon by thousands of people everyday. the problem in philadelphia is something NOT enough people are doing (althought there are many, there needs to be many more) please vote for STAY-TRUE
I really hope you get that 10k for your kids. Keep on, keeping on. You are noble and good. Have you looked into TIAA-CREF? ~L
NIR- LOVE YOU AND GOODLUCK SO GOOD TO SEE YOU ARE DOING IT RIGHT
I voted, you're welcome.
Nir, I just moved back to Detroit from Philadelphia, and, honestly, don't know why I never got your number from Marcus considering knew no one in the city upon moving there. Im not sure if we ever met back in the WB days, but Im sure Im we crossed paths at some point. Regardless, this is a well constructed, much needed idea that will help the issues that are plaguing the youth of Philadelphia. My ex-girlfriend worked for Citizen Schools in the Dorchester (Boston) in 2006-2007, who's an affiliate of Teach for America. The reason she became interested in the subject of inner-city youth was the lack of funding she experience at Central High School in Philadelphia. She won Activist of the Year in 2002 for the ALCU, through her attempts to equally fund all the public schools in the Philadel…morephia area, rather than having the funding distributed based upon the property tax of an area. She also organized an all school walk-out in attempts to stop privatization of schooling, which has turned out to be a disaster as for scene by most residents, and is well informed on many other subjects that hinder the greatness of Philadelphia's inner-city. Her knowlede and what we were witnessing in South Philly gave cause for many late nights in 2007-2008 filled with our friends discussing ideas on what we could do to change the current situation. In short, thank you for attempting to make something happen. That said, I will inform everyone I know of your idea and cause, specifically friends and those I have met in the Philadelphia area who are still very active and interested in how they can help change their communities. Good luck and thank you again for attempting to make change to a city I miss and love dearly.
Nir, I think you have touched on a critical issue and have outlined a clear and practical approach to making a difference. You have my full support and I hope others will do all they can to help you both in winning this $10,000 and otherwise. Best.
Outstanding idea. This is obviously an area/issue that needs programs like yours.
This is a great idea. Too many education nonprofits are about test-prep or donating things to school, but few are about empowering youth to work within their communities. I hope you win the 10K
Hey Nir, I applaud what you're doing. Good luck winning the $10k.
I also work with "at-risk" youth, as well as incarcerated youth. This seems like a good idea...how will you/do you attract youth and convince them to be of service when there may be more glamorous ways for them to make a quick buck? Do you have any structure in place to follow up with them?
Nir, Good luck!
Good luck, and thanks for providing that additional detail on how you would use the $10k.
Tons of At-risk youth so this gets my vote. Maybe next time go into more detail.
Good Idea!
Nir, I give you a lot of credit for going out and truly making a difference with your own homegrown idea. I truly respect what you are doing.
I grew up around Philadelphia and I love what your idea will help do for the city. Even though we're "competing" for the same funds here, I have to say I respect the clarity of your proposal and the details surrounding usage of the $10k if you win. Good luck.