I Choose To Win is proud to announce the launch of its Cultiv8 Hope initiative, aimed at empowering BIPOC youth in the Philadelphia area ages 14-18. The initiative is designed to help young people build hope, foster community, and activate adults to better support their aspirations.
Starting January 30, 2025, we’re inviting teams of up to five students from participating schools, communities, and organizations to submit a storytelling body of work that answers three important questions:
- What do you HOPE for?
- What gets in the way of what you HOPE for?
- In what ways can the adults in your life better support your hopes and dreams?
Each team’s submission will be entered into a competition to win a $1,000 investment in their idea to cultivate hope in their lives and community. Final submissions are due by May, and the winning team will be announced in June after a public voting period.
To support this effort, I Choose To Win is offering a safe, dedicated space at the Cultiv8 Hope Headquarters at the Our House Culture Center in Germantown. Youth can attend bi-weekly sessions outside of school hours to build their “hope muscles,” collaborate with teammates, and refine their ideas for the contest. Participation is FREE, and snacks and supplies are provided. Natalie Francis, Program Director, along with the Cultiv8 Hope team, will be available to answer questions and offer guidance during each session.
This initiative is made possible by the Violence Prevention Microgrant awarded to I Choose To Win by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office (DAO) and the Philadelphia Foundation. This grant is the largest distribution since the DAO’s Violence Prevention Grant Program launched in 2021, emphasizing the crucial role of local organizations like I Choose To Win in creating safer, more supportive communities.
For more information, visit www.ichoosetowin.org/cultiv8hope.
Let’s cultivate hope, spark change, and invest in the future of Philly’s youth.