SAP x GENYOUth AdVenture Capital Program Announces Chicago Tech Academy High School Students as Winners of SAP “Design 4 Good Challenge”
Local Chicago Students to Receive $1,000 Grant to Implement Their Projects to Support Healthier Schools
Chicago, October 30, 2020 – For students who are tuned into solving the world’s problems with BIG and small ideas, or who are fans of TV’s “ Shark Tank ”, GENYOUth’s AdVenture Capital program is the perfect platform for challenging their bright minds. This week, over 75 students from 15 schools representing 12 states had the chance to flex their social entrepreneurship skills, thinking and creativity in a virtual challenge to tackle a real-world problem facing their schools in the SAP “Design 4 Good Challenge.” The students competed for the opportunity to win grant money to develop health initiatives that support the planet in responsible ways.
After hours of brainstorming, and mentoring by SAP and GENYOUth staff members, students designed and pitched their ideas in a 90-second presentation to judges. With the scores calculated, students Grevelle Bladen, Shuntia Epps, Latrell Hendrick, Elizabeth Gonzalez Mendoza, and Isabell Rabadi were named one of five winners of SAP’s “Design 4 Good Challenge.” These students will receive a $1,000 grant for their project to reduce violence and gang activity in their community by revitalizing, rethinking and remodeling afterschool programs (physical and virtual) for youth across the city through well rounded, diverse programs that are grounded in student voice and choice.
“Gang Violence is very prevalent in communities across Chicago. A lot of my peers and even close friends have turned to gangs. This is sad because I feel that if they had another outlet to talk out problems or do things they enjoy, they could’ve gone on to do great things, and still can. That’s why my team feels so strongly about getting youth away from this lifestyle. We want our peers to have the opportunity to shine bright.” – Grevelle Bladen, Chicago Tech Academy, Class of 2021
AdVenture Capital is a social entrepreneurship program of youth health and wellness nonprofit GENYOUth, whose mission is to create healthier school communities. Conceived in 2013, the program is open to students ages 13-17 across the country and provides funding, resources, and the support of business mentors to help students cultivate and implement their ideas that improve access to healthy foods and physical activity. Through the process of thinking and acting like entrepreneurs, students develop 21st century skills that help them to succeed in school and in life. To learn more, visit www.AdCapYOUth.org.
“AdCap provides opportunities to empower and give youth a voice to create solutions that help their school communities,” said Alexis Glick, CEO of GENYOUth. “Thanks to the generous support provided by SAP, students are learning, growing and thinking in new ways. Congratulation to all of this week’s winners!”
Over its seven-year tenure, GENYOUth’s AdVenture Capital program has engaged more than 3,000 students from 650 schools who have pitched and developed over 1,500 student projects. With its commitment to youth social entrepreneurship and employee engagement, SAP and its staff members have provided their time and resources to support schools nationwide and to provide youth with the skills they need for their future success.
About Chicago Tech Academy
Chicago Tech Academy is an educational community whose mission i s to educate, empower and connect a diverse next generation of entrepreneurial thinkers to discover their passions, succeed in college and thrive in a digital world. We use project based learning, entrepreneurial principles, STEM education, and real world experience with Chicago companies to shape the diverse next generation of leaders.
About GENYOUth
GENYOUth i s a 501c3 nonprofit organization that creates healthier school communities. We convene a network of private and public partners, including Fortune 100 companies and foundations, to raise funds for youth wellness initiatives that give youth the inspiration, motivation and programs to be healthy high-achieving students. GENYOUth’s flagship program, Fuel Up to Play 60, enrolls over 73,000 U.S. schools, reaching over 38 million students. Our school nutrition grants increase access to healthy school meals among food insecure students. NFL FLAG-In-School is GENYOUth’s fastest growing program with over 20,000+ school communities reaching over 11 million students while AdVenture Capital brings out the entrepreneurial spirit and creativity of students with the support of corporate mentors to solve real world problems. For more information about GENYOUth, visit www.genyouthnow.org.
About SAP
SAP is the market leader in enterprise application software, helping companies of all sizes and in all industries run at their best: 77% of the world’s transaction revenue touches an SAP system. Our machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced analytics technologies help turn customers’ businesses into intelligent enterprises. Our end-to-end suite of applications and services enables our customers to operate profitably, adapt continuously, and make a difference. With a global network of customers, partners, employees, and thought leaders, SAP helps the world run better and improves people’s lives.
Contact
Chicago Tech Academy
Tiara Wheatley
twheatley@chicagotechacademy.org
773-419-4463
