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Putting SEL into action: ThinkGive

Empowering youth, cultivating character.

ThinkGive is an EdTech SEL curriculum that focuses on increasing equity in access so that all elementary and middle school youth develop the skills they need for emotional well-being. Programs provide a space for youth to take small, self-directed actions to positively impact themselves and others, building character, confidence, and connections.
Shortlisted
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Overview

HundrED shortlisted this innovation

HundrED has shortlisted this innovation to one of its innovation collections. The information on this page has been checked by HundrED.

Updated February 2024
Web presence

2013

Established

4

Countries
Students lower
Target group
We are providing our SEL programs at no cost to educators serving under-resourced youth because: 1) the mental health crisis is disproportionately affecting under-resourced youth, and 2) record numbers of students need support in building mental resilience, and while SEL’s importance (and link to academics) is increasingly recognized, many sites lack the resources needed to advance such efforts.

About the innovation

Why did you create this innovation?

Many young people feel lonely, isolated, and disconnected from their peers, adults, and communities—which leads to increased anxiety and depression. Moreover, only 39% of under-resourced youth can access SEL (CASEL). To foster empowerment, connection, positive relationships, and belonging, ThinkGive’s SEL programs center around youth taking prosocial actions to impact themselves and others.

What does your innovation look like in practice?

ThinkGive’s proprietary curriculum is innovative in its focus on student agency, prosocial behavior, and positive peer connections. Programs typically last between 5 and 7 months. Based on the Six Cs Model of Positive Youth Development, our program cycle fuels connection and prosocial behavior by combining in-class curriculum (THINK), self-directed student actions (GIVE), self-reflection (REFLECT), and peer-to-peer-engagement (SHARE).

ThinkGive protects against anxiety and depression by impacting social awareness, self-awareness, and relationship skills (CASEL core competencies). Our proof of impact shows in our 80% partner retention rate and student and educator feedback. Students (n=2,500) have reported: 85% feel empowered to be a force for good; 84% feel more connected with family, community (78%), friends (77%), peers (65%), and teachers (61%); 74% feel increased self-esteem; and 72% are better at seeing things from someone else’s point of view.

How has it been spreading?

In the past decade, we have engaged 15,000+ students globally. The program is scalable in scope and geography because we use the Train-the-Trainer implementation model, supporting educators in bringing the program to their youth.

Our vision is that every student can access the SEL needed to develop their whole selves and promote emotional well-being. As such, our top strategic initiative is to expand access to our student-driven programs by partnering with more educators serving under-resourced youth. We have made significant progress toward this goal in the past two years. In 2021–2022, 53% of our partners served under-resourced youth, 71% in 2022–2023, and 79% in 2023–2024. We aim to work with 150 partners over the next three years, reaching 7,500 under-resourced youth.

If I want to try it, what should I do?

Learn more about our Programs here: https://www.thinkgiveproject.org/programs/.
Complete this form to download Program Info Packs: https://www.thinkgiveproject.org/download-programs-at-a-glance/.
A ThinkGive representative will be in touch to help determine which program best fits your group and get you started.

Implementation steps

Connect with ThinkGive!
Contact ThinkGive to determine: 1) whether you qualify for free programming (if you serve a majority of under-resourced youth); and 2) which program is the best fit for your students to help you accomplish your SEL goals.
Choose: Tech or no-tech?
Determine if you plan to use the ThinkGive online portal for the student collaboration phase of the program cycle or if you prefer to run the program entirely offline. Either way works well, and we appreciate that some educators might want or need to opt for no-tech.
Attend training.
Attend training sessions (2 hours) to understand how the program works, how to use the curriculum, and (if applicable) how to leverage the ThinkGive online portal for student collaboration.
Run the program!
Run the program using the ThinkGive program cycle: in-class curriculum (THINK), self-directed student actions (GIVE), self-reflection to connect actions with the curriculum (REFLECT), and peer-to-peer-engagement (SHARE).
Ask questions!
Communicate with your ThinkGive program coordinator with any questions along the way.
Collect feedback.
When finished, use surveys to collect student feedback to determine the program's impact. Submit your feedback as the ThinkGive educator.
Assess outcomes and integrate learnings.
Have a post-program Zoom with your ThinkGive program coordinator to assess outcomes and plan for how to integrate learnings with the next program.

Spread of the innovation

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