Students can report concerns and receive assistance from specially trained community members rather than law enforcement.
BOULDER, Colo. — A new app created by University of Colorado academics hopes to become a one-stop shop for students in need.
It’s called the “Power of One.” It became available for download in July and works similarly to the state’s Safe2Tell app, allowing students to anonymously report safety concerns to police.
The Power of One app allows students to report additional concerns and receive assistance from specially trained community members rather than law enforcement. These professionals help with issues such as homelessness, food insecurity, and mental health.
“So when young people are struggling with all sorts of things – basic needs, bullying, need for mentoring, depression – if they don’t get support and intervention, it can lead to violence.” said Dave Beckhoefer. Director of the Youth Violence Prevention Center based at the University of California, Boulder. “So our community partners, many of whom are local youth-serving organizations, really wanted a way to find and engage youth with services and resources.”
Keshon Nunn is the Chair of the Youth Advisory Council at the Center for Youth Violence Prevention. He is one of the members aiming to promote the use of the app. Nunn said his life would have been different if the app had existed when he was younger.
“Oh, I definitely think things could have been a lot different,” Nunn explained. ”[My family] It’s not like there was really no food. So my brother went to the store and stole something, and lived his life as if that was okay. So he’s kind of on a path and he’s continuing to go down that path and that’s kind of where we aim to step into. ”
A new app hopes to meet students wherever they are on their smartphones and shape their lives before they go down the wrong path. Currently, they are focused on students in Northeast Denver. Bechhoefer said he is speaking to students at schools in Green Valley Ranch, North Park Hill and Montbello.
They eventually hope to expand the resources throughout the state.
Nunn emphasized the importance of using “peer navigators” rather than law enforcement in the response. He said that’s especially important when it comes to mental health issues.
“A lot of people just need someone to talk to and they don’t realize that. So they don’t know how to process their emotions and go out and cause harm to others.” says Nan. “There are a myriad of problems with this, and I’m not saying we have all the solutions, but we have the majority of the solutions.”
The app’s creators know that some of these issues don’t just affect students, so the app welcomes the whole family. They are also partnering with organizations like Struggle of Love to address issues related to youth violence, and will work with law enforcement when there is immediate danger.
