March 29, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Junior Social Entrepreneurship Summit Comes To Santa Monica:

By Luca Pistor

The smiles on the students’ faces lit up the Farmshop Santa Monica space Friday, Aug. 21 as the 12 Junior Social Entrepreneurship Summit participants stood up one at a time to present their ideas to create positive change in the world, to the friendly Santa Monica audience at Farmshop LA.

After spending 40 hours together at the Annenberg Community Beach House, on field trips to social entrepreneurship venues (InVenture, Tom’s Shoes, CoLoft), and at USC, we had grown together as a supportive team. We helped each other develop our ideas under the watchful eyes of our USC mentor, Dr. Elissa Grossman, and two USC sophomores from the Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy. And we enjoyed cuisine created from local produce at Farmshop LA.

What is JSES?

Luca Pistor: The Junior Social Entrepreneurship Summit is an international, bi-annual entrepreneurship summer camp where kids from the ages of 11-16 can come to learn about social entrepreneurship, and develop their unique ideas for positive social change.

When did you start JSES, and why?

I founded JSES after a semester in Berlin, in 2010, when I saw the immense cultural similarities between Berlin and Santa Monica. Both cities have a strong start-up scene for entrepreneurs and social enterprise, as well as powerful international appeal and a commitment to sustainability. It seemed like a great setup to launch JSES as a cultural exchange program for middle and high school students.

What is the impact of JSES so far?

We have held five week-long summer programs (three in Berlin, two in Santa Monica) so far, and each of them was a huge success, with happy parents, kids, and mentors at the end! We have reached approximately 150 students, and have been invited to new locations that we are developing.

Where was JSES held this year?

JSES LA/Santa Monica was based at the Annenberg Community Beach House, with a day on-campus at the USC Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, which is our university sponsor of two years. We are very thankful for their support. JSES Berlin was held at the Technical University, a block away from their Centre for Entrepreneurship.

What did the kids do at JSES?

JSES is a free-form “think tank for kids,” but it has the structure and design of USC’s celebrated Entrepreneur Program as well. During JSES, students learned, laughed, and brought in ideas for sustainable projects and products. Our USC mentor, Dr. Grossman, and her USC team helped the students take the projects to the next level. JSES is taught by high-ranking mentors and professors from top universities, where students learn the basic business skills of what they will need to bring their innovative ideas into the world.

What ideas came up this year?

There was a program to recycle medical products for use in developing countries, an app to anonymously help teens struggling with anxiety and depression, supported by local therapists and schools, and a program to promote teen heart health, supported by three cardiologists (Dr. Karol Watson, Tamara Horwich, Dr. Marcella Calfon Press), so that teens will be less at risk for heart attacks as they grow up.

How has JSES changed over time?

When I founded JSES in 2010 it was an independent-study program meant to be a cultural exchange program for kids in Germany and America. It has expanded into an international program. This summer, JSES Berlin welcomed six eager American students, who flew in to take part in the five-day program and meet students from Germany, and Spain, where we met on two university campuses for an intensive and deep dive into social entrepreneurship, visited Ashoka, Social Impact Lab, Wheelmap.org, and spent a day visiting Professor Hanns-Christian Gunga, at the Center for Space Medicine in Berlin.

How can I learn more about JSES?

Our www.jsesinternational.com website has both an application inquiry and a contact form, and you can also send me an email at luca.jses@gmail.com, or contact us on twitter at @JSES_International.

Thank you for asking us about JSES, we hope to see you next year at the beach!

in News
Related Posts

Homeless Man Sentenced to State Prison for Crimes Against Homeless Women

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Man Pleads No Contest to Series of Sexual Assaults Anthony Pittman, currently homeless, has pled no contest to a series...

(Video) Series A Coffee Now Open in Beverly Hills at 8328 Wilshire Blvd

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Located in the space that formerly housed a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Try the Black Pearl Iced Coffee. @smmirrornews...

Los Angeles County Braces for Heavy Rain, Snow, and Possible Thunderstorms Over Weekend

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

National Weather Service Issues Alerts for Flooding and Possible Tornado  According to the latest reports from the National Weather Service...

Hotel Workers to Speak Out on Harassment Endured at Santa Monica Hampton Inn

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

The Hotel Is One of Five Hotels in the Charter City That Are Still in a Labor Dispute By Zach...

Santa Monica Rotary Club Raises Over $21,000 for SMC Guardian Scholars Program

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

This Grant Will Provide Essential Support to Current and Former Foster Youth Enrolled at the College The Rotary Club of...

 (Video) Philz Coffee Set to Close Westside Location Next Month

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Franchise Recently Made Headlines for Changing Headquarters @smmirrornews Philz is closing its Santa Monica shop #coffeeaddict #coffee #coffeeshop #losangeles...

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

Easter Specials Guide: Brunch Spots, Desserts, and More in West Los Angeles

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Discover the Best Easter Eats and Treats in LA for Your Holiday Celebration Easter is almost here, so here are...

Famous Literary Critic and Palisadian Passes Away at 92

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

A Memoriam Post Stated She Overturned Views on T. S. Eliot, Ezra Pound and Other Canonized Artists By Zach Armstrong...

Mixed-Use Development Set for Sloping Property along Chautauqua Boulevard

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

“Canyon Place” Is Set to Include Two Apartment Units and 1,415 Sq. Ft. of Office Space By Zach Armstrong A...

Over Five Miles of Venice Blvd. to Temporarily Close, Become Public Park in April

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Initiative, Which Started in 2010, Aims to Connect Communities and Promote Sustainable Transportation Options On Sunday, April 21 from...

(Video) Workers Strike at Luxury Hotel in Downtown Santa Monica

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Meanwhile, Unite Here Local 11 Recently Announced a Contract Was Ratified at 34 Hotels @smmirrornews Workers are striking at Proper...

(Video) Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE at the Beyond Fest Screening...

Historic Union Contract Ratified by Thousands of Hotel Workers At 34 Hotels

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 11 Negotiates Agreement Ensuring Wage Increases  Hotel workers, who spearheaded the largest hotel strike in modern U.S....

Teen Kung Fu Coming to Pali Rec Center

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

This 8-week session, priced at $160, commences in April 2024 Palisades Recreation Center introduces Teen Kung Fu classes, fostering a...