When Georgia Smiled: The Robin McGraw Revelation Foundation Teams With Pivot and Students of the World to Launch the #iASPIRE Campus Challenge

LOS ANGELES (September 8, 2014) – When Georgia Smiled: The Robin McGraw Revelation Foundation has teamed with Participant Media’s television network, Pivot, and Students of the World to launch the #iAspire Campus Challenge to raise awareness of the issue of sexual assault on university campuses across the country, and highlight student initiatives to prevent domestic violence. Robin McGraw will kick off the #iAspire Campus Challenge this evening with a special live appearance on TakePart Live, Pivot’s nightly news program (7pm PT/ 10pm ET).

The #iAspire Campus Challenge invites students from participating campuses nationwide to share how “#iAspire to end sexual violence on my campus and in my community,” by working to create a safer college experience for themselves and their fellow students.

“Statistics show that one in five women will experience sexual assault during her college experience,” notes McGraw. “I think that is unacceptable! I want to amplify the great work students are doing on college campuses to make a difference and raise awareness of how people can protect themselves and be a part of the solution around sexual violence.”

“We are so pleased to be working with Robin McGraw and her foundation, When Georgia Smiled, to support the people and programs looking to solve this serious issue,” said John Arianas, EVP Branded Solutions for Pivot.

Through October 15th, students can apply through the When Georgia Smiled: The Robin McGraw Revelation Foundation for $500 to $5,000 in funding to support their visions for programs, resources, and educational components addressing issues of sexual violence, from issues of verbal or sexual harassment, to sexual assault and relationship abuse. One student will be selected by Robin McGraw to have their initiative turned into a reality via the #iAspire Grant. That winning student will also be invited to attend a taping of the DR. PHIL show that will feature their initiative.

In addition to applying for a grant, students are encouraged to download Aspire News, a free smartphone app, available in the iTunes store, through Google Play and at www.whengeorgiasmiled.org, that allows the user to create pre-written text or voice messages to be sent to designated numbers (911 or other chosen contacts) with just the tap of a button. The ignition of the app’s “go button” also starts a recording to capture the details of the domestic violence encounter or other dangerous event underway. Aspire News is designed to appear like any other smart phone app to the untrained eye, allowing it to be downloaded and used in secret. Launched by When Georgia Smiled in October 2013, the Aspire News app has already had more than 100,000 downloads and was recognized on Capitol Hill by the National Health Collaborative on Violence and Abuse as one of the two apps in 2014 most beneficial in the fight to end domestic violence.

The #iAspire Campus Challenge is made possible with support from When Georgia Smiled: The Robin McGraw Revelation Foundation. For further information, and to apply for a grant, visit http://www.studentsoftheworld.org/iaspire/ or WhenGeorgiaSmiled.org.

About When Georgia Smiled
When Georgia Smiled: The Robin McGraw Revelation Foundation, creates and advances programs that help women and children, especially those affected by domestic violence, live healthy, safe and joy-filled lives. For more information, visit www.WhenGeorgiaSmiled.org.

About Pivot
Participant Media’s television network Pivot, launched nationally in August 2013, serves passionate Millennials (18-34) with a diverse slate of talent and a mix of original series, acquired programming, films and documentaries. Pivot focuses on entertainment that sparks conversation, inspires change and illuminates issues through engaging content, and connects audiences to a wealth of content and actions through its affiliated website TakePart. Pivot is available in approximately 45 million homes in North America via traditional pay TV subscription, integrating a live and on-demand streaming option via the Pivot app. Follow Pivot on Twitter at @pivot_tv and on Facebook at facebook.com/pivottelevision.

Participant Media is a global entertainment company founded in 2004 by Jeff Skoll to focus on feature film, television, publishing, and digital content that inspires social change. Through its films, social action campaigns, digital network, and its television network, Participant seeks to entertain, encourage and empower every individual to take action.

About Students of the World (SOW)
Students of the World (SOW) is a 501c3 nonprofit that works with a national network of university students and creative professionals to produce media that inspires positive social action. We believe in the creative capacity of our generation, the transformative power of storytelling, and the value of highlighting positive change.