Outstanding Marketing Graduates Help Create Successful Nonprofit Venture
In 2005, the Department of Marketing at the W.P.Carey School of Business, elected two Outstanding Marketing Graduates. Mariana Crone was elected in the Spring and Mike Bunkers in the Fall. These two students collaborated with Heinrich Fan, an Accountancy and Computer Information Systems major, and Courtney Klein, a Nonprofit Management major, and submitted a plan to the Edson Student Entrepreneur Initiative. Their proposal outlined an idea that Courtney envisioned for a nonprofit organization that would empower young people to change the world. Today, that idea is Youth Re:Action Corps.
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| Courtney, Mariana and Mike work to affect change on a global scale. |
After returning from her work in a rural village in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, Courtney realized the profound impact that young people could truly have in the world while understanding the need for social entrepreneurship and international awareness in the public school system. Taking Courtney’s vision and passion for this initiative, and teaming it with the skills and experiences of Mariana, Mike, and Heinrich, the group received the news in January 2005 that their proposal was accepted and that they were part of the first Edson Entrepreneur Cohort. After a year of tremendous growth, the organization has firmly planted its roots in the community.
Youth Re:Action Corps (YRC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that believes in the power of young people to change the world. YRC runs a high school based program that educates students about local, national, and international issues, empowers them to create plans for social change, and invests financially in their visions of a better world.
Currently, YRC is running its pilot program in the Mesa Public School District. Working with over 80 high school students from three different high schools sites, YRC is currently measuring and monitoring its program in anticipation of a statewide and international launch. Drawing on the strengths of Arizona State University students and staff, on-site high school advisors, and a team of college mentors, YRC is yielding incredible results as it moves forward to empower the next generation of social change agents.
Undoubtedly, the success and growth of Youth Re:Action Corps has stemmed from not only a solid organization model addressing a market need, but also from the incredible support of ASU and the business community. With Dr. Lattie Coor, President Emeritus of ASU, as the organization’s advisor, and a Board of Directors comprised of twelve distinguished business and community leaders, YRC has acquired an invaluable and diverse support group. The collective YRC team has cultivated over $75,000 of in-kind donations while landing corporate sponsorships from Intel, Network PC Engineering and SRP.
The YRC Team understood that in order to turn the organization into a successful and sustainable venture, it was essential to garner the help of several marketing talents. In constructing their Board of Directors, YRC was able to garner the services of Dr. Antony Peloso and Dr. Amy Ostrom, professors in the Marketing Department. In forming the brand, strategy, and tactical decisions of Youth Re:Action Corps, Dr. Peloso and Dr. Ostrom have been instrumental in helping the organization form sound marketing decisions and draft a strategic marketing plan, helping ensure YRC’s future success.
Youth Re:Action Corps is embedding the values of social entrepreneurship and global understanding within the high school educational system. With the skills and knowledge team members gained through the W.P. School of Business, their desire and passion to make a meaningful impact, set YRC well on its way to revolutionize the way youth understand and respond to local and global needs. When talking to the Youth Re:Action Corps team, there is no doubt that they believe a global impact will be felt as young people all over the world work together to lead social change initiatives.
Visit YRC’s website at www.yrcorps.org or email for information at info@yrcorps.org.
