Love4Life

Building a Space for Collaboration:

Helping Save Lives Through Love

PROJECT PROFILE

Project Partner (location):

Love4Life Association (Perris, California)

Team Members:

Andrew Park, Gypsy Alvarado Covarrubias, Han Dinh

Main Tech Tools:

Wix Website Builder, Figma

Organization Needs:

The organization needed a space where any person seeking to join the fight for suicide and bullying prevention could create a new chapter. Before this can be accomplished, the organizations hoped for a platform for chapter leaders where curriculums, resources, and documents are located. In addition, they needed a discussion center for closer communication between chapters.

Our Solutions:

Provide an accessible, easy to use private portal for English and Spanish speakers that has all the information needed in order to lead a chapter.

Project Outcomes

Over 62 people will be able to learn about bullying and suicide prevention at a much faster rate and about 9 of those people will develop better leadership skills as they become consistent in using the private area.
Helped create a place for all the members of Love4Life to come together in unity.

Project Milestones

Created a fully functional members only page.
Created a forum for members to communicate and collaborate.
Gained a solid understanding of the Wix interface.

Main Lessons Learned

(Heads): We learned that putting our minds together allows room for discussion about how social issues can be approached and disagreeing only helps us think deeper on what is best for the community.
(Hands): We learned that tech can be used for great social change when it is used the right way. We learned how to make it a tool for the organization that allows social activists to collaborate and make the change they seek.
(Hearts): We learned how to support one another during the toughest time and created a space where communication was vital but at the same time easy to do.

Project Description

Everett students in partnership with Love4Life have made it more accessible for high school students to spread suicide and bullying prevention resources and kindness. Providing a platform of unity for the community, creating a bilingual members area for members of the organization, interactive space where people can share and exchange knowledge. Let’s continue to spread love into the lives of many!

2020 Practicum paper

More About the Social Issue

Suicide is one of the most important social issues across the world. In 2017 it was the second leading cause of death of Americans between the ages 15 and 24. This means that suicide is one of the top social issues prevalent within the youth and young adults. A survey of 1,843 teens between the ages 13-18 reported that the highest response to the question “what do you lie to your parents about” was suicidal thoughts. Many people, especially youth look to suicide as the solution to their problems because they aren’t able to openly talk about how they are feeling or what they are going through.

Love4Life Association

To reduce suicide across the U.S, Love 4 Life Association gets trained by suicide prevention services to educate the broader community about the indirect and direct warning signs of suicide prevention. As a peer to peer based organization, Love 4 Life Association engages in suicide prevention dialogue through their activities that encourage their members to be open to one another, understanding, and supportive. L4L aims to educate our community on suicide prevention, to build self-esteem and confidence in others, to prevent bullying, build friendships, spread kindness and love.

who are we?

3rd Year Undergrad~Sociology w/GISES Major

Andrew Park

I am a Korean-American student at UC Santa Cruz and have always had interest in understanding and gaining new knowledge of those who may come from different cultures than me. I came into college undeclared and felt very lost until I found the Everett Program. After joining the program, I decided to pursue the GISES major and learn more about how technology could be used for social change. While I am still unsure of what career path I would like to go down, Everett has provided me with many tools and resources I need to give me a sense of direction.

3rd year Undergrad~Sociology, Education & Politics Major

Gypsy alvarado covarrubias

I am a first generation Chicana undergraduate student at UCSC. I've always had a passion to help communities who are facing challenges in the social and political life. In order to dismantle social issues I decided to major in Sociology with and intensive concentration in global information and social enterprise, Education Democracy and Justice, as well as Politics. My goal is to work with disadvantaged communities at a grassroot level in order to make changes that will benefit these communities.

4th year Undergrad~Sociology w/GISES Major

Han Dinh

I am a first generation Vietnamese-American student at UCSC. Growing up, I always knew I wanted to do something that could help people out. I was very much confused about what path to take and had so many insecurities. But after joining the Everett Program, I've felt a huge change in myself. I've gained more confidence and realized that my capabilities are endless. Now, I want to pursue a career that helps and inspires others while finding ways to help my community and the world.

Personal lessons learned

Communication
- Always keep a line of communication open
Trust
- Have faith in yourself and your team
Honesty
- Don't be afraid to speak out and voice concerns early on
Patience
- Everyone completes things at varying speeds, trust your team and the process
Ask for Help
- Your team is your support system, they have your back
Importance of Fun
- Remember to take time to enjoy the little things and get to know your team on a deeper level

Why did we choose to join this project?

Andrew

Passionate about providing resources for those in need
Experience with community service
Strong desire to grow in tech knowledge and application

gypsy

Passionate about mental health
Love to work with youth & Love4Life Board of Director
Curious to explore the tech world and how it can be used with nonprofits

han

Passionate about helping others
Has a love for technology & mental health
Strong desire to work on making the world a better place

team

We all have similar goals of doing what we can to help others, but what stood out was Love4Life's message of community, kindness, and love for everyone. The organization has such a profound effect on youths and it inspired us to join and work with them.

Vision for Future

We hope one day Love4Life Association is able to expand and spread their wealth of knowledge all over the world. In the future, we imagine multiple chapters in different parts of the world teaching people, especially youths, to learn to find better ways to cope and to love themselves.

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