2011 FIRE Winner

   I Choose to LΦVE Wristbands

Rangeview High School, Aurora, Colorado

Tackling suicide at root cause of bullying

 

After conducting a school-wide needs assessment, students at Rangeview High School determined that bullying was the root cause to suicidal ideation at their school. In response to this, they developed a social enterprise selling stylish wristbands that say "I Choose to Live, I Choose to Love." Hidden on the inside of the wristband is the suicide hotline number. In the first two days, they sold out of their first order of 300 wristbands. At their administration's request, they also developed an anti-bullying and suicide prevention curriculum that they deliver to underclassmen.

Results from their social enterprise include:

  • Sold 1,000 wristbands in 2 months.
  • Net profit $1,519
  • Put on benefit concert to breakdown social barriers to receiving mental health. 
  • Plan to expand product line next year.
  • Follow-up survey conducted with school revealed that 91% of students were aware of the campaign; 74% felt confident standing up to a bully; and 88% believe the campaign was successful.

What they say:

  • I learned that when a business is planned, then it will go far. I learned that anyone of any age can make a social impact.  Kira Austin
  • I learned that business actually has other purposes than to just earn money. Robert DeMata
  • Putting on a good show is not just about putting on a good performance. Austin Papike
  • I learned that we can effectively communicate in a crisis and help solve problems of suicide by providing necessary resources to an individual.  Adaobi Okocha

 

 

Runner-Up

YABY - Youth Against Bullying Youth

CEC Middle College, Denver, Colorado

Tackling suicide at root cause of bullying

Because bullying is a serious problem in schools and because it leads to suicidal ideation, students at CEC Middle College of Denver created YABY – Youth Against Bullying Youth.  YABY is a logo character that informs teenagers about signs of suicide with the goal of getting people to take an active role in suicide prevention by taking a stand against bullying. This logo is displayed on products, including clothing, keychains, posters, etc. Youth in distress will see YABY-certified youth wearing this logo and will know they are safe peers to talk to and receive help from. Students wrote, directed, produced and filmed an informational and heart-felt video about their experiences with being bullied and how to change a school's culture around "snitching." 

To become YABY-fied (or YABY-certified):

  1. Purchase and watch the YABY video.
  2. Go through accompanying curriculum and learn community suicide prevention resources.
  3. Sign a Commitment of Values, ensuring that you receive your "YABY-fication".
  4. Purchase YABY merchandise, including apparel that displays the YABY logo.
  5. Change the world with YABY.

Results from their social enterprise include:

  • CEC Middle College won the Metro State Innovation Challenge award of $500 in additional seed funding for their business idea.
  • Student-made video has been completed.
  • This product is still in development stage and will be sold in the 2011-2012 school year.

What they say:

  • This was an amazing experience for us because this was the most ambitious project we’ve ever tackled. We’ve been through so much and put so much effort into this project in hoping to make a difference. CEC Class
  • We students here at CEC are bold, courageous, hard-working risk-takers who strive everyday to take that extra step. We want to change every conflict and find a solution for every problem. Therefore we will inform youth about suicide, we will encourage them to take an active role in suicide prevention, and we will make a difference…and a profit.