Find your favorite nonprofit or choose one that inspires you from our database of over 2 million charitable organizations.
Displaying 433–444 of 476
Teen-Turn addresses the numbers of third level qualifications, particularly those related to STEM, attained by women from disadvantaged and underrepresented communities. Teen-Turn achieves this by providing--from when participants are teenagers--ongoing hands-on experiences, exposure to consistent, invested role model mentors and long-term support through alumnae career development opportunities. ***** Teen-Turn aims to influence course decision-making processes, inform participants on education and career options, and combat stereotypes by strategically changing how girls from disadvantaged and underrepresented communities identify with STEM career environments through mentored summer work placements, after school activities and alumnae opportunities. Programming begins with a work placement in the summer after Junior Cert, during which participants are exposed to projects, introduced to role models and begin to blog about their time so that we can evaluate the effect of the experiences. From there, the girls have the option to join after school activities which include science projects for BTYSE/SciFest, the creation of a social enterprise and app development for Technovation, homework/grinds clubs, or related events like learning camps and incubators with company partners. Once participants have completed secondary school, they enter into our alumnae network--which offers numerous events to meet with fellow Teen-Turn participants, mentors who are women working in STEM roles, and career advisors all there to help with qualification completion and to build a professional network. What we do is empower our participants-to identify a STEM interest, to be supported in the pursuit of mastering skills and gaining qualifications related to that interest, and then provided the connections and social capital and ongoing reinforcement to develop a STEM career from that interest. We call it our 'Junior Cert to Job' commitment. ***** Our proposition is that more girls acquiring in-demand STEM skills will result in more women employed in STEM careers, addressing skills shortage, gender ratio and social inclusion challenges. This is done by initially introducing STEM careers through work experience, followed by after school STEM activities including science projects and app development, then bolstered by STEM club involvement and ongoing STEM learning, exam support, discussion and debate events and career workshops. NOTE: All activities, other than work placements, were successfully brought online during COVID-19 restrictions and can again if the need arises. Core Project Elements Summer Work Experience: girls in the summer after Junior Cert (aged 15) are introduced to STEM career environments at companies located near their homes; during this experience they are introduced to female role models, work on an actual project, learn to visualize themselves in a STEM workplace, and gain an understanding of the companies flourishing in their neighborhood thereby crossing what is often a corporate/community divide. After School Activities: (1) Project Squad, 13 weeks in autumn, participants learn about the scientific method, research methodology, experimentation, data collection, results reporting and visual presentations while mentored on projects of their own design by industry and academic women-in-STEM; (2) Technovation, 13 weeks in spring, participants learn how to build a business plan and develop a mobile app that addresses a community problem, including design thinking, scrum/lean methodology, market research, pitch and demo presentations, and computer programming principles such as loops, conditionals, variables, and databases again while mentored on projects of their own design by industry and academic women-in-STEM. Clubs: (1) Grinds, year round, senior cycle and exam support is provided on a fortnightly basis by university students imparting techniques for studying and improving habits and following NCCA curriculum materials; (2) Groundwork, year round, participants engage in ongoing person centered planning activities through monthly sessions conducted online by trained mentors who work with beneficiaries to develop plans that establish individual goals and what is needed in terms of support to achieve them with additional quarterly personal development workshops-this activity is particularly effective with those from our cohort who have disabilities. Term Break Camps (1) Incubators, during autumn and winter mid-term breaks, teams from our afterschool who produce work that could go into production/to market or, at the very least, be developed into a minimal viable product learn about and work on a strategy for commercializing their inventions or apps; (2) Devising Week, during Easter break, 'devising' for participants means to plan or invent for a four day period when learning skills, mentoring and career experience are combined to deliver instruction in using technologies to problem solve in ways that are relevant to and currently being done in industry. Alumnae Opportunities: girls who have completed secondary school can participate in offerings that are designed to be social and enable the building of support and professional networks including debate and discussion events, scholarship information and application workshops, CV, job hunt and interview training, study habits bootcamps, and "give-back" mentoring days. Teen-Turn works with school representatives, including school completion officers and guidance counselors, to identify girls with promise who lack the confidence or are challenged by home circumstances, learning difficulties, or other obstacles (including ASD) that prevent them from performing in school as well as they potentially can. Conscious that these at-risk girls have high attrition and low post-secondary education progression rates, our approach is both immersive and followed up with reinforcement along what we call the 'Junior Cert to Job' route. An important component to this intervention is that each girl interacts regularly with women-in-STEM mentors as learning in the presence of female role models has been shown to impact girls' self-image and confidence, encouraging them to see themselves in new ways and stimulate new interests. We also provide recurring skill training and personal development opportunities. ***** Teen-Turn seeks impact over impression, distinguishing itself by committing to support participants through multiple stages--secondary school, third level, and career--to combat the high drop-out rate which affects our beneficiary group. Teen-Turn focuses on long-term results through its 'Junior Cert to job' support system. We are on track to increase the number of disadvantaged girls entering third level/acquiring jobs by 1,000 by 2021 and expect to continue at a rate of at least 300 per year. Within five years we will have provided a significant number of disadvantaged girls in Ireland the social capital and skills experience necessary to acquire STEM qualifications and career opportunities. The impact is this development of a local talent pool of skilled women who can thrive in a STEM career environment from whom companies can hire. Resultant, too, is the knock on effect of their presence as role models to girls from their own communities. Our Theory of Change envisages this impact as reaching even further than broadening inclusion in STEM. In addition to the likelihood of participants finding meaningful employment in STEM, changing their own and possibly their families' standard of living, there are other possibilities. Because of the enterprise programming to which the participants are exposed and the frequent feedback reiterating an interest in starting a business, some Teen-Turn beneficiaries will start their own companies, becoming employers themselves. The qualifications attained combined with the professional network developed should position these individuals to succeed. Also, as a factor of a skills shortage is staff turnover, employee retention will be improved by there being a talent pool from which to draw who has ties to the neighboring communities. Lastly, studies indicate that when those from disadvantage are empowered to become active citizens, they also become powerful self advocates. It is our expectation that future policy makers and community lobbyists will emerge from our cohort, already evident on a few of the girls' blogs.
1. Contextual elements The actions deployed by Nightline address issues relating to students' mental health, not only in terms of psychological well-being, but also academic success and, ultimately, socio-professional integration. > French students, a population known to be at risk in terms of mental health - 1 in 5 students in France is at risk of psychological fragility ; - in 2021, 36.6% of students reported depressive symptoms, compared with 20.1% of the general population - outside the context of the health crisis, analyses show that students are already a particularly vulnerable population when it comes to mental health problems: even before the health crisis began, 22% of students in France had suicidal thoughts, and 6% of these had already attempted suicide ; - In France, suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 15-25; - in 2022, emergency room visits for suicidal gestures, suicidal ideation and mood disorders increase among 18-24 year-olds, compared with the already high levels observed in early 2021 ; - 62% of 18-24 year-olds say they have had suicidal thoughts since September 2021, compared with 34% of the total population > Mental health and academic results The links between mental health and academic results are proven: for students, an untreated psychiatric disorder can indeed lead to a significant drop in academic results and increase the risk of dropping out of school, as well as difficulties with long-term social integration, such as obtaining or maintaining employment. The results of the Observatoire de la Vie Etudiante (OVE) health survey in 2016 indicate that students presenting a depressive episode or having had suicidal ideations had to stop working or studying for almost two months (on average) because of their symptoms, and their chance of passing exams is reduced by at least 16%. Early intervention and follow-up strategies to deal with psychological issues in the university environment enable direct prevention that benefits students' mental health, as well as making a significant contribution to their academic success. > Enabling young people to realize their potential, and promote the professional integration of young graduates The WHO's definition of mental health includes the world of work, employability and individual productivity, and indicates that depression has been the second leading cause of illness and work stoppages since 2020; the OECD, for its part, points out that people suffering from mild to moderate mental health problems - such as anxiety or depression - are twice as likely to be unemployed. In addition, mental health problems in the workplace (stress, burnout, psychosocial risks (PSR), psychological disorders, mental health disability) have become one of the main causes of absenteeism from work: more and more employees under the age of 30 say they are stressed at work, or exhausted (52% in 2022, compared with 47% and 43% respectively in 2018), and more and more are taking sleeping pills or antidepressants (22% in 2022, compared with 9% in 2014). 2. Nightline's mission: to promote and support student mental health and engagement > The creation of Nightline It was during his university exchange year in Paris in 2016 - after noting the absence in France of mental health support systems focused on primary prevention - that an Irish student (himself a volunteer with Niteline Dublin) wanted to respond to this lack, and import the "nightline" concept to France: a free, anonymous, confidential helpline staffed by trained student-volunteers), which originated in the English-speaking world in the 1970s and is now present in many European countries (as well as Canada). Thus was born Nightline France, an association dedicated to supporting student mental health in France, for students and by students. France is under-resourced in terms of psychological support for students: today, there is 1 psychologist for every 15,000 students in the University Health Services (SSE), whereas international recommendations state that there should be 1 for every 1,500. The SSEs, the Centre Medico-Psychologiques and the University Psychological Aid Offices are thus largely saturated, requiring weeks or months of waiting before a young person can meet a professional. At the same time, students feel they have no access to existing resources (lack of knowledge, saturation of services, etc.), and are distrustful of mental health issues (even one year after the introduction of psychology vouchers for students, only 0.70% of psychologically fragile students had used them). What's more, approaches to health care are still conceived on a thematic basis (addictions, sexist and sexual violence, etc.) rather than on a population basis. However, the way in which we address students (and therefore the "young public") needs to be specific (we don't address "young people" in the same way as we are used to addressing the general public), while at the same time refining the "young" category, still considered in a very general way, as a single, homogeneous entity. > Peer support and community health In this sense, Nightline's actions are based on two innovative concepts in France, which postulate the interest of doing things with the beneficiaries, and not just for them: peer support and community health. Community health is the process whereby individuals and families (on the one hand) take charge of their own health and well-being as well as that of the community, and (on the other) develop their capacity to contribute to their own development as well as that of the community. This process therefore includes representatives of the target audience - in this case students - in the identification of priorities and their implementation. This makes it possible to : be as close as possible to the mental health needs of the target community ; support the empowerment of individuals and the community (through a participatory dynamic); encourage empowerment (the process of strengthening the ability to act autonomously and gain greater control over one's life); complement prevention approaches focused on the individual and on the treatment of mental disorders; bypass the limitations of traditional prevention initiatives for students (mistrust, feeling stigmatized, need for peers); benefit the whole community (peers helped and peer helpers, through the development of their listening, empathy and support skills). Given the credibility conferred on volunteers by the fact that they have lived through an experience similar to that of the person seeking help, and the existence of a real taboo associated with going to see a psychologist, peer support also has many advantages, and can be both a gateway (or an intermediate step, a springboard) to care for those who might need it but are reluctant to ask. The diversity of mental health needs calls for a range of resources and interventions to meet them: not all students need to consult a psychologist, so peer support programs are positioned to provide accompaniment, support and, if necessary, a springboard to care via referral. Peer support thus has benefits for the people it supports ... : peer-help programs help to combat the stigmatization of mental disorders and mental health, in particular by creating a space for open dialogue where people can talk without taboo or fear of being judged ; as a form of support based on a two-person relationship, peer support also strengthens social cohesion within the university community ; because of its central position in student life, peer support helps to anchor the notion of well-being in everyday life, clarify the available care options, and potentially reduce the risk factors that lead people to seek medical attention ; peer support programs also reduce recourse to the traditional health care system and more costly care - such as psychological consultations and hospitalization - resulting in significant savings: the Mental Health Commission of Canada refers to "millions of dollars" saved thanks to peer support. ... and for the supported peers themselves: the literature also points to numerous psychological and social benefits for those who help (at Nightline, we're talking about student volunteers) ; providing help to others increases volunteers' confidence, sense of self-efficacy and well-being volunteer activities also help improve interpersonal and communication skills, such as empathy and acceptance - often thanks to the principles of active listening, non-directiveness and non-judgment advocated by many initiatives by empowering students to take action for their own health and that of their peers, peer support reinforces the sense of self-determination and self-esteem of both volunteers and those supported.
Let's Get Ready provides high school students from historically under-served communities and first-generation-to-college students with free SAT preparation, admission counseling and other support services needed to gain admission to and graduate from college. Services are provided by volunteer college students who also serve as role models and mentors. Let's Get Ready envisions a future in which students from all socioeconomic backgrounds have the support they need to attain a college education.
Our name highlights the necessity to take care of the future, the desire and the need to develop the world in which we live in. Children represent the first beneficiaries of the future and thus are the clearest symbol on how important it is to build a future together, starting today. Our organization is active in cooperation towards development, the integration of various cultures and the growing partnership based on solidarity. All of these aspects combined provide an equal and sustainable growth that we aim to achieve and value deeply. We are a group of people from various religious backgrounds with shared goals, who believe in the collaboration of mankind towards the construction of a common future.
To promote the social welfare of senior society and others through the sharing of music and performance and of children across various areas and countries through providing free education.
iCivics creates innovative and free educational resources that teach young Americans to be knowledgeable, curious, and engaged citizens. Our mission is to reimagine civic education, both in and out of the classroom.
Telerik Academy School is a national educational program by the Telerik Academy Foundation. Our mission is to provide equal access to modern tech education to Bulgarian children and prepare them for the digital future. By providing free training in programming and digital science, we help 1st-12th graders develop key digital competencies and knowledge and become bold inventors, digital leaders, sought-after professionals, and active citizens. Telerik Academy School has trained more than 12,000 students to date, equipping them with the key skills for the digital economy and fostering their logical thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills. Trainings are currently held in 102 cohorts in 25 cities in Bulgaria. We aim to further expand our footprint and network of cohorts and reach even more children.
To improve the reading, writing and spelling skills of low-income students who struggle with literacy by providing free, long-term one-on-one instruction from highly trained volunteer tutors.
The Yolanda Fund is a global community partnership dedicated to empowering vulnerable and at-risk children and their families. By providing education, community support, and material resources for a community in Carrefour, Haiti, The Yolanda Fund is committed to inspiring future leaders with hope for Haiti.
Our primary goal is empower teen parents with the necessary skills to escape poverty, to achieve the best futures possible for themselves and their children by providing information, resources, parenting education, career development, academic guidance, and emotional support to pregnant and parenting teens.
The mission of African Women Council, Incorporated is to build strong communities by providing African women access to literacy, health education, civic participation, and entrepreneurship programs; to create a better future for themselves and their families, locally and in Africa; particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
To become a nationally renowned sports rural primary school, in partnership with parents and communities, to enable diverse students to develop into lifelong learners with high expectations in a nurturing, risk-free environment that will enable them to become responsible and contributing citizens in a changing society.