YOUTH VENTURE

Ashoka Seattle’s Youth Venture program inspires and supports youth to create positive social change through the application of business principles.

In today’s economy, people are more receptive than ever not only to the benefits of social change, but to the necessity for it. Social programs become imperative in the face of an economically uncertain but increasingly optimistic society.  Youth Venture helps young people who have ideas for social programs and the drive to achieve their dreams, but who require resources and a more concrete understanding of the decisions and steps that will bring their ideas to fruition. In helping young people discover the skills necessary to launch and lead an organization, Youth Venture provides the knowledge base for valuable traits and aptitudes that are often overlooked in traditional educational settings.

Learn more about our DDC curriculum along with a sample lesson plan, the demographic of participating students, and our impact.

An initiative of Ashoka International, Youth Venture was formed in 1996 based on the observation that most prominent social entrepreneurs share the common trait of enacting change at an early age.  The Seattle program launched in 2008 and has been growing rapidly ever since.

Ashoka Seattle’s vision for Youth Venture has several tiers:

Immediate goal

Inspire and support youth to solve social issues in their communities using a business approach.

Long-term vision

Youth grow into innovative, socially conscientious adults with the confidence and skills to identify and implement effective solutions to social issues.

Schools commit themselves to a culture of changemaking, striving for all students to have completed the program prior to graduation.

Society shifts its mindset into realizing everyone, including youth, can create social change.