The Gladys Marinelli Coccia Award: two awards for young female social entrepreneurs

Deadline: August 1st.

Youth Service America is pleased to launch the first annual Gladys Marinelli Coccia Awards to recognize two young female social entrepreneurs, ages 14 to 17, whose initiatives serve the common good. The awards are created in memory of Gladys Coccia, who began her entrepreneurial career when she was a young girl in West Virginia and later became a very successful businesswoman in Washington, DC. Nominations from across the country are welcome; special consideration will be given to nominees from West Virginia and metropolitan Washington, DC. Self-nominations are accepted. The deadline to begin an online nomination is June 15. After this date, nominations cannot be initiated. The deadline to complete a nomination is June 30. To access the eligibility quiz and the nomination form, visit www.ysa.org/awards or email coccia@ysa.org.

About Mrs. Coccia

The award program is created in honor of Mrs. Gladys Marinelli Coccia - a business woman and entrepreneur since she was 15 years old until she passed away in 2007, at the age of 93. The grandmother of YSA Board Member Brian Murrow, Gladys grew up in southern West Virginia and moved to the Washington DC area in 1961 where she was well-known in the Italian American business community as the owner and operator of Marinelli's Delicatessen, which she established in 1962 and managed for the subsequent 30 years.

Eligibility

Social entrepreneurs apply business practices to achieve positive social change and measure their success through their social impact. They find innovative and sustainable ways to address pressing issues. Ambitious and persistent, they grapple with important causes and offer new alternatives that enhance the community. Social entrepreneurs change the system, spread solutions, and persuade others to change their actions. With a sound application of business principles, social entrepreneurs have a sustainable impact on their community: their influence contributes to a healthy, productive, meaningful life for others, both present and future.

Girls who meet the following criteria are eligible for the award:

• Between the ages of 14 and 17 on December 31, 2009.
• Located in the United States. Special consideration will be given to nominees located in West Virginia and Metro Washington DC.
• Have her own social enterprise.
• Be supported by contributions of at least $1000 (cash and/or in-kind).
• Have a business plan, including an itemized budget

Supporting Materials

Please include two letters of reference with the nomination. Letters may be written by anyone who knows the nominee (outside of her family), and should include a brief description of nominee’s relationship to writer and how the applicant demonstrates exemplary action for social and structural change. Letters should not exceed one 8½ x 11-inch typed sheet of paper and should include the writer’s contact information and signature. Letters of recommendation must be submitted with the nomination. The nominator may submit no more than three additional items as supporting materials that demonstrate the nominee’s achievement(s). This can include testimonial letters, press clippings or references to stories broadcast on TV/Radio, etc. Materials must be in electronic format and uploaded as part of the nomination. Materials sent by mail/email will not be considered.

The Award includes

• $2000 for the social enterprise
• Travel and registration to YSA’s Youth Service Institute
• Serve as a spokesperson for YSA’s initiatives
• Invitation to serve on the executive board of Girls Helping Girls
• Access to YSA’s resources to support and expand social enterprise

How do I Nominate?

• Read this introduction carefully.
• Take the eligibility quiz.
• If the nominee is eligible, you will access the application.
• Begin the application by June 15. We will not accept initiation of nominations after this date.
• Gather the supporting materials and complete the nomination, asking for assistance as needed.
• Submit completed nomination by June 30.
  Questions? Email coccia@ysa.org

Timeline

• Open period for accepting nominations: April-June 15, 2009
• YSA staff assistance to nominators: June 15-June 30, 2009
• Winners announced: September 9, 2009
• Awards ceremony at the Youth service Institute, October 2009

For more information, visit: http://ysa.org/MyYSA/YSAContent/YSANews/tabid/219/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/147/TheGladysMarinelliCocciaAwardsDeadlineAugust1.aspx