Dear Blog Readers,
I have written about Adventure Center before in my blog (http://paulamdeangelis.blogspot.no/2010/08/journeys-of-wonder-at-adventure-center.html).
Adventure Center is deeply engaged in fundraising now. Today I am posting a letter written by Elizabeth Mayer, LCSW, President and Executive Director, talking about the mission of Adventure Center and the success of its after-school Arts, Education & Adventures in Nature Programs, and how much the children enjoy and are helped by them. I hope you will support them in their efforts. No donation is too small.
Elizabeth writes:
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Common to many of the students who walk
through our doors at Adventure
Center , Robert has been struggling with issues of injury and pain. Robert began classes here in 2008. His lack of belief in himself was palpable.
He had given up on school. His school
had almost given up on him, describing him as bright but inattentive, lazy, and
defiant.
Four years have passed and Robert has been immersed in Adventure Center ’s after-school Arts, Education & Adventures in Nature Programs. Now Robert speaks with enthusiasm and
wonder. Robert is now able to express
his bright, curious mind, and engaging personality, and with that he is even
serving in leadership roles at Adventure
Center . Over the last year, Robert has
said, “I used to feel mad at everyone. I couldn’t express myself and no one understood me. Hey; that’s not true anymore!”
Robert is one child of many that have been helped
by Adventure Center . The center is affiliated with
organizations like Lincoln Center Institute, Community Works, Symphony Space,
the Bronx Historical Society, and others (as well as the educators and
therapists who provide a learning and supportive environment). Adventure
Center is appreciated as
an oasis of innovation and creativity by all who pass through. We invite you to
join our mission as we celebrate four successful years as a nonprofit Educational Center
in Riverdale , New York .
As we approach this milestone we are stretching our scope and reach to
answer the growing demand of children, families, and other organizations
This
elevated level of activity brings Adventure Center to a new juncture in its’
journey; it will need to create the means to hire part-time and salaried staff
to manage the daily life of the organization, to support the artists,
educators, and group leader as we maintain a good ratio of adult/child in each
program/class. As we engage in the first
steps of this transition—fully volunteer to partially volunteer/partially
salaried organization— we will ensure that we continue a mission of high
quality programming in a nurturing setting for all of our children. The support of friends like you will afford Adventure Center the ability to remain self
sustaining and to continue to thrive.
Please help us reach our goal of raising $50,000.
Any amount will help us meet our ambitious goal and continue to help us meet
our mission. Your tax deductible gift of $50, $100, $500 or more—will
immediately be put to use as we add part time staff—persons who will directly
enhance the learning and growth of our
children.
There are several levels to this giving
opportunity—we appreciate consideration of your support. These costs add up, yet these are some
examples of the large impact your gift can make on children like Larry and
others at Adventure
Center .
Ø
$100 can provide the means to add an
additional group leader for 1 session of the group’s 10-weeks
Ø
$100 will purchase materials for 1
child for 1 ten-week session
Ø
$250 for 3-ten week sessions
Ø
$500 will
purchase materials for 1 child for six-months
Ø
$750 for
seven months
Ø
$900 will purchase materials for 1 child for a
year.
You may donate by check or online by clicking the
donate now button on the home page of our website: http://www.adventurecenterjourneysofwonder.org/index.html
Thank
you for partnering with our students!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
Mayer, LCSW
President
and Executive Director, Adventure Center
Follow Adventure Center on www.facebook.com/adventurecenterbrx