Project Paradigm, together with its coalition partners, announced that 15,000 youth aged 7 to 18 have signed up for The Paradigm Challenge, a new contest that inspires youth to affect positive change in the world. The first annual Paradigm Challenge seeks original ideas to prevent injuries and fatalities from home fires—America’s #1 disaster threat.
“The number of youth who have stepped up to accept our Challenge to help save lives truly is inspiring,” said Jeff Richardson, Project Paradigm’s Founder and CEO. “Normally, youth contests attract around 1,000 participants or less. Thanks in large part to the support of our partners like the US Fire Administration, American Red Cross, Phoenix Society, Vision 20/20, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, National Association of State Fire Marshalls, and many, many others, these youth are part of an exciting movement to make a difference. We will continue to engage as many youth as possible by the May 1, 2016 entry deadline,” said Richardson.
Participants in The Paradigm Challenge team up and use their creativity and kindness to help save lives by generating home fire prevention ideas. The top 100 teams will win prizes ranging from $500 up to $100,000 from Project Paradigm. The total prize pool of $250,000 will be used to reward the best ideas while helping youth chase their dreams
Project Paradigm also engages and activates youth around home fire awareness through the hosting of monthly photo and video contests tied to fire safety. Youth upload their entries and ask friends and family to vote. The 10 entries with the most votes each month receive cash prizes from $100 to $1,000.
The Paradigm Challenge further engages youth by enlisting them as Ambassadors for the cause of home fire safety. Through The Paradigm Challenge Ambassador Program, youth help spread awareness about fire safety and The Challenge in a competition to win one of six trips to Los Angeles to attend The Challenge awards ceremony.
Paradigm Challenge partners include: the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation, the American Red Cross, Burn Prevention Network, Children’s Burn Foundation, Common Voices, Coolidge Fire Department, Eau Claire Fire Department, Finger Lakes Regional Burn Association, Inc., Firefighters Burn Institute, Home Fire Sprinkler Association, Hurley Trauma Center, Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, International Fire Service Training Association, Lisle-Woodridge Fire District, Madison Fire & Rescue, Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division, National Association of State Fire Marshals, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), National Youth Leadership Council, NC Department of Insurance, Phoenix Fire Department, the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, Rincon Valley Fire District, University of Michigan Trauma Burn Center, U.S Fire Administration, Vision 20/20, and Youth Service America.
About Project Paradigm
Project Paradigm, a national private foundation headquartered in Los Angeles, California aims to identify, support, and collaborate with passionate individuals and organizations to inspire, lead, and facilitate paradigm shifts in the approaches to global challenges. Learn more at projectparadigm.org/founder. Or like us on Facebook.
About The Paradigm Challenge
The Paradigm Challenge is an annual competition developed by Project Paradigm to inspire youth to affect positive change in the world. The first annual challenge aims to generate new ideas to prevent injuries and fatalities from home fires—America’s #1 disaster threat. Youth aged 7 to 18 (as of May 1, 2015) are invited to accept The Challenge, build a team, become problem solvers, learn about home fires, and help save lives. Winners of The Paradigm Challenge will be selected by a Blue-Ribbon Panel based on efficacy, feasibility, originality, presentation, and collaboration. Members of the public will also vote for their favorite finalist.
