Simone Bernstein, volunTEENnation.org, The Story Exchange, Social EnterpriseYour Name: Simone Bernstein

Business Name: volunTEENnation.org, an organization with volunteer, intern and scholarship resources

Type of Business: Social Enterprise

Business Location: Saint Louis, Missouri, United States

Website http://www.volunTEENnation.org
Twitter @volunTEENnation
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/VolunTEENnation

Reason for starting
At the young age of 12, I was unable to find volunteer opportunities for youth under the age of 18. Through word of mouth, I was able to connect with some organizations and non-profits in my community. My frustration with my initial search led to me create a regional website and then with the help of my brother, a national website database and resource for youth to explore volunteer opportunities in their communities. In addition, my brother and I organize youth-led volunteer events to offer students the chance to give back to their communities through volunteer fairs, sports clinics, park clean-ups and activities to support our troops

How do you define success?
Success is the ability to recognize your strengths and utilize your abilities to improve the world.

Biggest Success
Over 8,500 youth have found volunteer opportunities from our website, volunteer fairs, sports clinics, park and trail clean-ups.

What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?
Top challenge was creating a national website to address the needs of youth throughout the nation and activate, mobilize and engage them in youth service. The national website is the initial starting point, but the conversation and actions needs to be incorporated in our classrooms through service-learning.

Who is your most important role model?
My dad is dedicated to serving patients in both urban and rural communities that lack adequate health insurance. He serves in the US Navy and also finds time to serve on our local school board.