TeenSmart (CAHI Fellow 2) wins major award and is recognized by MIT in global challenge
Costa Rican virtual platform to support adolescents is recognized by MIT in global challenge
TeenSmart's JovenSalud.net platform selected from more than 1.800 initiatives in 128 countries as a winner of the MIT Solve Global Challenges 2021
SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA— A Costa Rica-based virtual platform that connects Latin American youth with mentoring, training, and support, has received worldwide recognition.
YoungHealth.net, a platform developed by the non-profit organization TeenSmart International (TSI) in collaboration with public, private and civil society institutions (the Young Health Alliance), has been selected by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as one of the Winners of the Solve Global Challenges. The platform's innovative virtual approach to supporting adolescent studies and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic was chosen from more than 1.800 solutions in 128 countries as one of the seven most promising innovations in the Fair Classrooms category.
Adriana Gómez, Executive Director of TeenSmart, who also, thanks to the CAHI program, has a diploma in Management of Innovative Projects in Health from INCAE mentioned: “Thanks to the inspiration we received from various webinars of education experts in Costa Rica and in the the world and also through the State of the Nation, the work team decided to focus this 2021 on motivating adolescents to continue studying and know that they are not alone, that is why we prepared the sequences "YoMePreparo" and "ConstruyoMiFuturo", which they have earned us this international recognition ”. Cathy Strachan Lindenberg, founder of the organization highlights that "Our challenge now is to scale so that more adolescents in Central America and beyond can access our services" - added Gómez. "JovenSalud.net has more than 89,000 registered users, but there are 70 million young people in Central America and Mexico alone who could benefit."
"We are excited to introduce the 2021 Equitable Classroom Solvers Class," wrote MIT Solve Officer Holland Cathey, on the project website. “Even before the Covid-19 crisis, learning environments, be they physical classrooms or remote and hybrid settings, needed significant reinvention to help young students develop the skills and competencies they need to thrive in the XNUMXst century. . Proven interventions, including early career exploration and self-directed, experiential, and social-emotional learning, show promise but will need to be adapted and scaled to benefit the most underserved and ensure equal opportunities for all.
"That is why this year, Solve launched the Fair Classroom Challenge, and asked innovators around the world: How can all young students have access to quality, safe and equitable learning environments?" he added, explaining that JovenSalud.net and the other six winners were chosen by expert judges through a lengthy process of deliberation and review.
“We are very excited about this global honor for Alianza JovenSalud and our partners around the world,” said Eric Liljenstolpe, TeenSmart Chairman of the Board. “It comes at a time when we are seeing the greatest demand in our history for virtual support for youth throughout Latin America. Due to school exclusion and unemployment exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, young people depend on the resources they can access from home. That is the bridge that JovenSalud.net creates ”.
JovenSalud.net offers adolescents free online services that include virtual life skills courses, training and support through ¿Buscas Advice ?, Self-administered personal knowledge questionnaires. This year, her microlearning intervention “YoMePreparo” has sought to focus on motivating young people to stay in the classroom and prepare for a career. They can also request crisis support, report acts of violence and mitigate cyberbullying. JovenSalud.net responds to 500 youth coaching requests each week.
The award consists of ten thousand dollars in cash, plus an intensive process of accompaniment for nine months from MIT to the innovative solution, introduction to new contacts, investors, invitation to participate in various events, among other in-kind support.
The nonprofit organization is now working to expand and offer its award-winning services to more teens in Central America, Mexico and beyond. To achieve this goal, TeenSmart is looking for donations to help put this proven, cost-effective tool in the hands of younger people, just when they need it most.
Invite all the young people you know to use the free online services of www.jovensalud.net
Solve is an initiative of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with the mission of solving global challenges. Solve is a market for social impact innovation. Through Open Innovation Challenges, Solve finds amazing technology-based social entrepreneurs around the world. Then Solve brings together MIT's innovation ecosystem and a community of members to fund and support these entrepreneurs to help them make a lasting transformative impact. More information here
For more information about JovenSalud.net and the Alianza Joven Salud, contact Adriana Gómez, Executive Director of TeenSmart International at administration@teensmart.net or cell phone 88801261
Learn more about TeenSmart in these videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwziYzqqctY&t=28s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62oODUYjdyQ
Note taken from: https://teensmart.org/es/boletines/somos-solvers/