The trade process is rather simple. Each student has received a standard red paperclip (4 per team) which they must trade a minimum of five times throughout the course of the semester. Once the paperclip is traded, the student must attempt to trade the new object for something bigger or better, with the goal of eventually obtaining a specific item of need for their respective charity. The trading has already begun so please reach out and make them an offer they cannot refuse in support of this worthy project. To make an offer and be part of this amazing project, simply post your proposal to this site or contact a member of the team directly via their personal email. We will be updating this site and our Facebook page each week with the results of previous weeks trades. We look forward to hearing from you!
One Red Paperclip for Youville
Members of the Harvard Kennedy School have joined forces with Youville House as part of an ongoing social experiment designed to test their “negotiating” skills! Through the course of the next few months the students have been tasked with raising resources for a charity or non-profit organization of their choosing through a series of trades, starting with a single red paperclip. You heard that right, a single red paperclip! The exercise requires the students to continue trading throughout the course of the semester, each time seeking something of greater value until they reach their final goal, an item of value that will be provided to the residents of Youville House. The trading has already begun so please reach out and make them an offer they cannot refuse in support of this worthy project!
One Red Paperclip for Youville 
I can offer 2 hours of spiritual direction to someone.
Sister Marhefka…Thank you so much for the kind offer…we’ll be in touch if we can offer a trade.
I would like to trade: What I can offer is an hour long clairvoyant channeling session OR an hour long Reiki session. Either can be offered by phone.
Sara…Thanks for your offer…we’ll let you know if we can make this work.
Youville House will host a dinner party for six in our garden atrium. Dinner prepared by our expert chef.
Joe Connarton
I am a Justice of the Peace and will perform your wedding.
I will trade 2 hours of consulting or professional coaching around fundraising, valued at $600.
I am a skydiving instructor and I can offer 1 Tandem jump at Jumptown (Orange, MA) with me this spring!