I love being the bearer of good news – and this letter comes to you full of good news! The Innovation Center was recently approved by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) for a two-year grant to support service-learning in three communities. The selection process was extremely competitive and I am so proud of our team for all their hard work that went into the proposal. Our relationships with local organizations prove, again and again, to be one of our strongest assets.
This September we will begin work with three agencies: Tohono O’odham Community Action in Sells, AZ; Youth Development Training and Resource Center in New Haven, CT; and the Monterey Bay Aquarium working with youth in Watsonville, CA. These communities are some of the most disadvantaged in our nation, but their young people are ready and motivated to improve their hometowns.
The majority of the grant money will be passed directly to the sites so they’ll have the resources necessary to grow their work; the Innovation Center will provide specialized training and coaching along the way. CNCS has granted us a total of $585,000 over the course of two years; as part of this agreement, we need to raise an additional $100,000. We have already raised $10,000 of this match and hope you’ll join us in this effort. Please, consider giving – whether $10 or $10,000. Your support makes a difference.
It isn’t often that an opportunity arises to contribute directly to such inspiring organizations and efforts. These young people are daily defying the odds dictated by their circumstances. With your support and enthusiasm, they can change the odds for future generations. Thank you in advance for your commitment and generosity. I’m thrilled to share this exciting work with you.
All the best,
Wendy Wheeler
President
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More Information about our Partners and our Project
Each partner in this grant faces unique challenges that threaten community wellness. Young people at each organization have already begun to tackle these issues, making changes that are tailored to their community situations.
The Tohono O'odham Nation suffers from the highest rate of adult-onset diabetes in the world. 60% of the population, and children as young as six-years-old have been diagnosed with the condition. But TOCA youth are returning to their native roots to encourage the healthy eating habits and active lifestyle that prevent diabetes. They are planting native crops in community gardens, reviving traditional farming techniques, and organizing sports leagues for community members to compete in traditional games and athletics.
Every day, youth in New Haven, CT face challenges to their personal safety and individual growth - violent crime, negative peer pressure, a lack of supportive adults, and limited afterschool options. With support from YDTRC, young people who live in distressed neighborhoods are realizing their potential as community leaders - and their community's potential for change. They're designing service-learning projects that introduce alternatives to violence, build neighborhood pride, increase youth employability, and involve other residents in community improvement.
Watsonville, CA is home to a unique environmental ecosystem: the rivers and watersheds surrounding the Monterey Bay. But while community members have a strong environmental ethic, few have the science knowledge necessary to conserve and preserve these natural resources. Local young people are partnering with the aquarium to gain the knowledge and support they need to protect their environment - and then using that knowledge to inspire community service projects that engage other residents in their efforts.
For more information about the Innovation Center or the project, please contact Ana Thomas at athomas@theinnovationcenter.org or 301-270-1700 x 105.
