This Organization Trains Youth to Start Community Improvement Projects
Alyson Wyers — March 11, 2015 — Art & Design
References: dmdphilly.org & springwise
From the Department of Making and Doing, the Building Hero Project trains young people in design leadership in the hopes that they will be able to run their own community improvement projects. The scheme gives them access to cutting edge tools like 3D printers. Based in Philadelphia, the Building Hero Project doesn't resort the the usual tactics of non-profit organizations (donor drives, fundraising events and the like), but instead finances itself through its newly launched Etsy shop.
The community makerspace enables young adults who previously participated in their community improvement projects to learn new skills and gain access to the workshop's equipment. The project is self-financed through the Etsy shop, which sells products designed and produced by the students like lamps, jewelry and benches.
The community makerspace enables young adults who previously participated in their community improvement projects to learn new skills and gain access to the workshop's equipment. The project is self-financed through the Etsy shop, which sells products designed and produced by the students like lamps, jewelry and benches.
Trend Themes
1. Youth-led Community Improvement - The trend of empowering youth to take on leadership roles in community improvement projects presents opportunities for disruptive innovation in education, design, and social entrepreneurship.
2. Makerspace Training Programs - The trend of offering training programs in makerspaces provides disruptive innovation opportunities in education, technology, and entrepreneurship.
3. Self-financing Social Enterprises - The trend of self-financing social enterprises, such as through ecommerce platforms like Etsy, opens up opportunities for disruptive innovation in nonprofit funding models, e-commerce, and social entrepreneurship.
Industry Implications
1. Education - The education industry can incorporate youth-led community improvement and makerspace training programs to foster innovation and develop future leaders.
2. Design - The design industry can leverage youth-led community improvement and makerspace training programs to tap into fresh perspectives and ideation for solving community challenges.
3. Nonprofit and Social Entrepreneurship - Nonprofit and social entrepreneurship sectors can explore self-financing models, like through ecommerce platforms, to sustain and expand their impact.
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