July 26, 2012 - Mobile, Alabama - The Community Foundation of South Alabama has awarded grants totaling $75,000 as part of a three-year initiative designed to support programs that encourage positive development in adolescent males.
The goals of the Foundation’s initiative are to support programs that increase positive decision-making abilities in adolescent males to encourage healthy lifestyles, and to increase the capacity of existing programs that provide a comprehensive approach to their overall well-being.
Research indicates that adolescents need exposure to positive resources and experiences to thrive. Some of the most important factors that predict positive youth development are family involvement, community engagement, and positive peer-to-peer interaction.
“Because many factors contribute to positive adolescent development, safety, and well-being, the Foundation is committed to encouraging and supporting collaborative community efforts that promote a more comprehensive approach to addressing the holistic health of adolescent males in Baldwin, Clarke, Escambia and Mobile counties,” said Alvertha Penny, president and chief executive officer of The Community Foundation of South Alabama.
The following organizations received grants as part of the Males On The Rise Initiative.
Alabama Outward Bound School, Inc. - $35,000
The grant will provide support for the Baldwin County Collaborative Youth Partnership Initiative, a collaborative which aims to reform the services provided to the at-risk adolescent male population in Baldwin County. The primary goal of the initiative is to reduce the dropout rate in Baldwin County by coordinating the efforts of organizations that serve young males from 8 to18 years of age to promote efficacy and efficiency. The initiative will also spearhead a pilot program that will combine character development and drug education training with traditional after school tutoring.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Alabama YMCA - $40,000
The grant will provide support for the Great Expectations Mentoring Initiative, a two-part initiative designed to encourage collaboration and sharing of resources among key community stakeholders to provide successful mentoring relationships for adolescent males in Mobile and Baldwin counties by creating a regional coalition. The goals of the coalition are to increase the amount of mentors, the number of young males that are paired with mentors, and to create a public awareness campaign that will help raise awareness about issues affecting adolescent males.
About The Community Foundation of South Alabama
The Community Foundation of South Alabama is a public charity that plays a key role in meeting the needs of South Alabama through leadership and grants. More than $63 million in grants have been awarded since 1976 by the Foundation to nonprofit organizations to support programs that make life better in the region. The Foundation builds lasting endowments to ensure grants are available to support the community forever. For more information visit www.CommunityEndowment.com
Contact: Stephanie Ryan
Phone: 251-438-5591
Email: communication@CommunityEndowment.com