Venture Description: Always Ready Kids is a youth organization that helps kids prepare for the unexpected such as minor injuries or even disasters. We do this by conducting safety-related projects, such as speaking to kids about how to prepare for disasters,handing out safety pamphlets, and distributing safety packets that include basic preparedness items. ARK also plays a part in disaster relief efforts such as raising funds for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and the Tsunami of Southeast Asia.

Venture Origin: Disasters such as 9/11 and Columbine revealed to me that those who knew what to do in a crisis had a better chance of survival:crisis plans and knowledge of how to respond to a crisis are essential. Young Americans should prepare themselves & others for crises. I could not find an organization that helps kids prepare for crises so I started one.

Innovation: ARK prepares kids for the unexpected.Most other organizations focus on adults. ARK's philosophy is that if kids learn how to prepare for disasters they will become well prepared adults.ARK provides kids with information about safety through lectures and pamphlets. We are unique because we distribute safety packets for free to kids;other groups sell first aid supplies. ARK is run by kids,for kids.

Impact

Impact: ARK has distributed more than 300 safety packets & has impacted over 1,500 students by distributing safety information. ARK helped raise $10,000 for Tsunami victims in SE Asia & over $9,000 for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. ARK has conducted numerous preparedness projects including a safety card preparedness project at the 2004 Olympics. ARK has projects outside the US and an ongoing clothing drives to help clothe kids surviving disasters.

Engagement with the community: School police officer advised us,7 businesses in the community had collection jars for Katrina and 6 more businesses donated safety supplies.Worked with 500 elementary school kids at ARK booth at a fair.Provided safety packets to a family service center for kids who recently immigrated from Mexico. 11 ARK volunteers raised funds at our community's annual art fair that was attended by 1,000+.

Impact and engagement progress since launch: We have a website(www.alwaysreadykids.org),have conducted projects in the US and Europe, have worked with another organization to help build a library for kids in Africa, have gained experience in raising money, have collaborated with businesses that match funds/donate supplies, have become member of Youth Venture & NYAC which has taught me how to grow my venture and has given me tools to do so.

Impact and engagement strategy: To impact and engage more people we will expand our project by distributing thousands of safety packets, providing safety lectures from experts, participating in community preparedness programs and gaining training.For example, I took Red Cross Community Disaster Education Program training and will continue to take formal training so that I can be knowledgable. Media has helped to engage others.

Awards: 2007 Nestle Very Best in Youth Winner;2005 NVBIY Finlst;Rotary Volunter of Yr; Amer Legion;Inspire Magazine;Teen Newsweek Mag;YouthVenture Pamphlet.

Budget

Amount of Youth Venture seed grant: $821.25

Money raised: ARK helped raise $10,000 for Tsunami victims and $9,500 for Hurricane Katrina survivors. ARK also received supplies from merchants worth $350. My birthday gift money was also used to buy supplies.

Creative ways of raising resources: ARK has partnered with other businesses and nonprofits. We have gotten match funding from a large corporation. Jar collections in businesses throughout our community helped us raise $, we had meetings with businesses to have them donate merchchandise. We sold wrist bands to raise funds for Tsunami.

Strategy

Expansion plan for next 6 months: We want to expand our work in the community by distributing 1,000 safety packets to kids of low income. We also want to prepare and send 500 safety packets to U.S. soldiers in Iraq to distribute to kids.The budget to accomplish this goal is $8500.

Plans for sustaining the project: ARK is mainly financed by grants, fundraisers and support from the community. Our community has supported us and continues to support us as more & more kids participate in ARK projects. As more kids participate & we continue to mentor, & we earn funds to serve others, ARK will continue to grow.

Vision for three years from now: The community is supportive of my efforts with ARK and I plan to work with several organizations in the community to continue to expand so that 5,000 kids in the expanded community will learn how to prepare for crises.I will bring those who have experience in crisis management to youth so that they can learn from the best.We will establish a mentorship program and partnerships with other entities.

Project impact: ARK has impacted the community by raising awareness of how important preparedness is. We have heard many stories from people who have received our packets, telling us how useful the safety packets have been. For example, when the high school's power went out, a student who had an ARK safety packet was the only student who had a flashlight that provided her with safety. Another person was glad to have a safety packet when she fell off her bicycle and started bleeding. A third person used materials from her safety packet when her grandmother cut her finger and did not have another way to stop the bleeding. Whenever we distribute safety packets, people ask for more. We always run out because kids find them helpful and easy to carry in their backpacks. Each project we have completed has received positive feedback. We make life easier for people in the community we serve by giving them the tools to help themselves.

Youth Venture movement - what it means and how you can contribute: As a Youth Venturer I have the backing of supportive and wise Youth Venture advisors. I also have a strong connection with hundreds of youth ventureres. These resources are very valuable. Youth Venture advisors generously share their expertise and help me every step of the way. They are always there to answer my questions, provide resources, and offer encouragement. Sometimes it can get lonely working on a social enterprise, but by being a part of the Youth Venture movement I know that I am part of a large base of people who want to make positive contributions to their communities. They know that kids can make a difference. They believe in us. The Youth Venture movement also knows that with encouragement and advice, they can give kids the tools they need to change the world. Without this, kids might just give up. Youth Venture prepares tomorrow's leaders by teaching them how to take action in something they are passionate about. The Youth Venture movement is led by hardworking, talented, devoted advisors who are the best role models any young person can find. They are mentors who selflessly and fully dedicate their lives to helping young people engage in socially responsible enterprises. I don't know anywhere else in the world where anything evenly remotely close to the Youth Venture movement exists. Youth Venture leads the world in building tomorrow's leaders.

Author:
Konstantine
United States
Website: www.alwaysreadykids.org