Please Support Us
Dear Friends,
Thank you for your support of the Big Buddy Program with your contribution of time and/or financial gifts in the past. We come to you at this time of year to share our successes and challenges of the past year. As we close 2011 and look ahead to 2012, we recognize that your support and dedication to the youth of this community are two of the many reasons we have to be thankful.
Your generous support has ensured that over 80 youth with an incarcerated parent had access to positive role models, through our Big Buddy/Little Buddy relationships. Your gifts have also guaranteed that over 500 youth had access to afterschool academic and enrichment programs that inspired learning and supported academic growth.
We must now ask for your help to continue providing these invaluable services to youth in need. A federal grant we received in 2009 to support our mentoring efforts for youth with an incarcerated parent unexpectedly ended this spring 2011, though it had an anticipated end date of fall 2012. This abrupt termination of funding left a gap in our mentoring budget. We are looking for 100 friends to contribute $120.00 each to help fill this gap. These funds, along with a grant award from the Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation, will ensure that we maintain the necessary staff resources to support current matches and to match with a mentor the additional 50 youth on a waiting list.
In April 2012, our afterschool programs will be affected by the ending of a three-year 21st Century grant from the State Department of Education. This grant has helped to fund the afterschool programs for over 350 youth at four area elementary and middle schools. In April, we would like to continue providing educational services at two schools, for a minimum of 200 children most in need of quality afterschool homework help and summer enrichment activities. A donation or pledge of $240.00 will ensure that a student has access to these services from April–July 2012. Of course, any donation amount will be greatly appreciated and will be used to support our many vibrant programs.
Print a Contribution Card
Please print and mail back to us, along with your donation at:
Big Buddy Program
1415 Main Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
OR
Make Your Contribution Online
You may select which initiative you would like to support, via either a one-time or monthly contribution. We are looking forward to sharing with you all the positive outcomes that result from your generosity.
We thank you again for your kindness and continued support of the positive development of youth in our community. Please call our office at (225) 388-9737 if you have any questions.
Happy Holidays,
Gaylynne M. Mack
Proud Executive Director
