Carol S. Porter - YouthBuild Challenge Grant

Carol Porter

Writer * Editor * Speaker
Member, Amherst Writers & Artists

YouthBuild Challenge Grant

April 2008

Dear Friends:

As I turn 60, I have much to be thankful for. Life has been good to me, and it's time to give back. There's so much need out there, it's hard to know where to start... but last year I became interested in a new program called North St. Louis YouthBuild, and have spent time with this community, tutoring at-risk young people who want to rebuild their lives and their neighborhood.

YouthBuild is a national program that's been making positive changes in our poorest urban neighborhoods since the '70s. But in recent years, federal funding has been cut and cut again.

In North St. Louis, the program in Hyde Park is struggling financially to complete its first year. I'm trying to help by establishing a challenge grant called LUCKY SIXES FOR NORTH ST. LOUIS YOUTHBUILD.

Here's how the challenge grant works. I'm committing my $600 IRS economic stimulus check to North St. Louis YouthBuild-- and I'm asking everyone I know to participate. Not with an entire $600, but with any gift, in multiples of 6, UP TO $60. The idea is to keep it affordable to the widest range of people. So a gift of $ 6 is received with the same appreciation as one of $60 ! As is a kid's gift of 60 cents in the collection plate on Sunday.

The LUCKY SIXES goal is to match my $600 with funds raised throughout the community. I started with an appeal to my high school class -- the Class of '66. If you'd like to read my letter to my classmates, you can check it out here.

Now I'm expanding the challenge to the wider community. If you'd like to learn more about YouthBuild and the immediate situation in Hyde Park, please click on these links:
www.friedensforever.org
Recent Post Dispatch Article

Then I hope you'll give serious consideration to joining the challenge. (You can donate here.) When many caring individuals join forces, big things can happen !

With my heartfelt thanks--

Carol