The Foundation highlights the great work of Altrusans. This is a snapshot of District Twelve’s recycling efforts to raise funds for the International Foundation.
Unburden your trash collector! Lighten your load to your trash bin. Remove recyclable cans and bottles and save them for recycling. Pendleton Altrusans are doing just that and earning money for our International Foundation.
In 2024 at the District Twelve Conference, I wanted to offer an idea for potential fund-raising. Hopefully the following will give rise to fund-raising ideas that can be earmarked for the International Foundation from your Club. (Do any of you remember our childhood newspaper drives; the community worked together). We all gain by helping the Foundation to grow its granting capacities.
Do you reside in a city, county or state that requires a deposit upon purchase of each can, plastic, or glass beverage bottle? Altrusans of Pendleton, Oregon, initiated a program last year to recycle bottles and cans. Funds raised are earmarked for the International Foundation. In the first six months, the Club “earned” $800.00 with minimal effort.
-Dorothy Bowen, Altrusa International Foundation Board Grants Chair
Currently, twenty-five members actively donate their recyclables in bags obtained from the recycling facility and labeled with our Club’s identifying information.We collect filled bags at our twice monthly meetings and distribute new bags to those participating.We do not have to crush, wash, sort, or stand in recycling lines.
There is a specific drop door for non-profits. Monthly, the recycling office posts the number of bags processed, their values, and holds funds in our account. As our equity builds, monies are sent to our treasurer who in turn forwards a check to the International Foundation.
Unfortunately, not all States have recycling centers. Currently the following do: California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Oregon, and Vermont, also Guam.
My goal is to encourage each Club to initiate an annual contribution to the International Foundation. Imagine what $500, $800 or more annually from each of our Clubs could do for the Foundation and its granting efforts.
If you have additional questions or want to share ideas for other low impact fund raising, please contact me via my email: shadowhawkenterprises@gmail.com. Mark the subject “We Can”.
I appreciate being a member of such an outstanding community service organization and look forward to exchanging ideas.
A Summer of Growth and Joy: Club 21 Grant Funds in Action
This past summer, a remarkable transformation unfolded at Premier Academy, Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia. Thanks to the generosity of Club 21 grant funding from the International Foundation, 25 children aged 3-12, each facing unique mental health and behavioral challenges, experienced something they had never had before: a summer camp designed just for them.
For many of these children, the idea of a summer camp was out of reach. Traditional camps often lacked the resources to support their needs, leaving them and their families without options. But this summer was different. Premier Academy opened its doors to these children, providing a nurturing, inclusive environment where they could thrive, connect, and simply enjoy being kids.
The Summer Intensive Therapeutic Camp is an expansion of its groundbreaking Childhood Acute Mental Health Program (CAMP) which launched in 2013 and provides free, school-based targeted therapeutic mental health services to nearly 70
(with a growing wait-list) low-income children and their families residing in some of Atlanta’s most underserved communities. The summer camp makes summer time fun a reality to children who would otherwise be unable to attend due to unique challenges of their mental and behavior health.
The impact of the camp rippled through every aspect of the children’s lives. For many, this was their first opportunity to form friendships in a supportive setting where counselors understood their challenges and celebrated their strengths. The camp’s therapeutic activities, from mindfulness sessions to art therapy, helped the children explore their emotions in ways that were empowering and fun. Physical activities like group games and obstacle courses provided outlets for energy and encouraged teamwork, while music and storytelling sessions offered creative escapes.
For parents, the camp was a lifeline. Many families shared how this experience not only provided a safe space for their children during the summer but also gave them a sense of relief, knowing their children were understood and cared for. One parent tearfully recounted, “For the first time, my child came home excited, talking about new friends and how much fun they had. I haven’t seen that kind of joy in a long time.” The counselors and staff also found the experience deeply rewarding. With the support provided by the Club 21 grant, they received training and resources to meet each child’s unique needs. Watching the children grow in confidence, self-regulation, and social skills became a highlight of their summer. By the end of the camp, the changes were undeniable. A once-withdrawn 8-year-old stood proudly in front of a cheering group, sharing a story he had written. A 5-year-old who struggled with outbursts began using breathing techniques to calm herself.
Club 21 grant funding made this life-changing experience possible, turning summer into a season of growth, hope, and joy for these 25 incredible children. It provided not just a camp but a community—a reminder that with the right support, every child can shine. Executive Director, Starla Bailey recounts, “Finding funding to expand our therapeutic programming is often very difficult. We rely on donations and grants to provide critical programming to our children and families, but it never seems like enough to meet the growing demand. Just to give some context on the need for mental health programs for young children, our waitlist for the academic year CAMP program has been growing each year since the program began 11 years ago. We serve about 70 children each year, but our waitlist now stands at 40 children. The summer camp expansion is a critical add-on that enables us to meet the needs of children most in need.” When asked about the impact of the Summer Intensive Therapeutic Camp, Ms. Bailey adds, “Children deserve the opportunity to just be children. Unfortunately, for children who demonstrate behavioral and mental health challenges, despite their young age, attending camp is not possible. The resources are just not there in most programs. We will continue to find solutions for these and other barriers to the healthy development of children in Atlanta. Our goal is to ensure all children are prepared for a lifetime of learning success, regardless of their socioeconomic background. We are truly grateful to the Altrusa International Foundation and its members for their support which enabled us to make a difference for 25 children.”
As Premier Academy reflects on this unforgettable summer, one thing is clear: this was just the beginning. The smiles, milestones, and memories have sparked a renewed commitment to continue making a difference for children who need it most. With the support of compassionate donors and visionary funding, the possibilities are endless.
*******************************
Since 1971, Premier Academy, Inc. has provided high quality, research-based education and childcare services to over 40,000 low-income children in metro Atlanta, ensuring 98% of children who leave the program are prepared for learning success. Each year the nonprofit serves nearly 500 children from six-weeks old to 12-years. Over 90% of children served at Premier Academy live in absolute poverty and face staggering challenges such as parental incarceration, homelessness, food instability, and domestic violence. Premier Academy is dedicated to providing comprehensive supplemental programs and services to remove barriers to educational achievement such as mental health services through the CAMP program, parenting classes, housing and food assistance, life skills and career training for parents to meet families where they are while encouraging and building advocacy, engagement, self-reliance, and success. To learn more about Premier Academy, please visit their website at premier-academy.org.
Spotlight an Altrusan
Small Deposit, Big Return
The Foundation highlights the great work of Altrusans. This is a snapshot of District Twelve’s recycling efforts to raise funds for the International Foundation.
Unburden your trash collector! Lighten your load to your trash bin. Remove recyclable cans and bottles and save them for recycling. Pendleton Altrusans are doing just that and earning money for our International Foundation.
In 2024 at the District Twelve Conference, I wanted to offer an idea for potential fund-raising. Hopefully the following will give rise to fund-raising ideas that can be earmarked for the International Foundation from your Club. (Do any of you remember our childhood newspaper drives; the community worked together). We all gain by helping the Foundation to grow its granting capacities.
Do you reside in a city, county or state that requires a deposit upon purchase of each can, plastic, or glass beverage bottle? Altrusans of Pendleton, Oregon, initiated a program last year to recycle bottles and cans. Funds raised are earmarked for the International Foundation. In the first six months, the Club “earned” $800.00 with minimal effort.
-Dorothy Bowen, Altrusa International Foundation Board Grants Chair
Currently, twenty-five members actively donate their recyclables in bags obtained from the recycling facility and labeled with our Club’s identifying information. We collect filled bags at our twice monthly meetings and distribute new bags to those participating. We do not have to crush, wash, sort, or stand in recycling lines.
There is a specific drop door for non-profits. Monthly, the recycling office posts the number of bags processed, their values, and holds funds in our account. As our equity builds, monies are sent to our treasurer who in turn forwards a check to the International Foundation.
Unfortunately, not all States have recycling centers. Currently the following do: California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Oregon, and Vermont, also Guam.
My goal is to encourage each Club to initiate an annual contribution to the International Foundation. Imagine what $500, $800 or more annually from each of our Clubs could do for the Foundation and its granting efforts.
If you have additional questions or want to share ideas for other low impact fund raising, please contact me via my email: shadowhawkenterprises@gmail.com. Mark the subject “We Can”.
I appreciate being a member of such an outstanding community service organization and look forward to exchanging ideas.
A Summer of Growth and Joy: Club 21 Grant Funds in Action
This past summer, a remarkable transformation unfolded at Premier Academy, Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia. Thanks to the generosity of Club 21 grant funding from the International Foundation, 25 children aged 3-12, each facing unique mental health and behavioral challenges, experienced something they had never had before: a summer camp designed just for them.
For many of these children, the idea of a summer camp was out of reach. Traditional camps often lacked the resources to support their needs, leaving them and their families without options. But this summer was different. Premier Academy opened its doors to these children, providing a nurturing, inclusive environment where they could thrive, connect, and simply enjoy being kids.
The Summer Intensive Therapeutic Camp is an expansion of its groundbreaking Childhood Acute Mental Health Program (CAMP) which launched in 2013 and provides free, school-based targeted therapeutic mental health services to nearly 70
(with a growing wait-list) low-income children and their families residing in some of Atlanta’s most underserved communities. The summer camp makes summer time fun a reality to children who would otherwise be unable to attend due to unique challenges of their mental and behavior health.
The impact of the camp rippled through every aspect of the children’s lives. For many, this was their first opportunity to form friendships in a supportive setting where counselors understood their challenges and celebrated their strengths. The camp’s therapeutic activities, from mindfulness sessions to art therapy, helped the children explore their emotions in ways that were empowering and fun. Physical activities like group games and obstacle courses provided outlets for energy and encouraged teamwork, while music and storytelling sessions offered creative escapes.
For parents, the camp was a lifeline. Many families shared how this experience not only provided a safe space for their children during the summer but also gave them a sense of relief, knowing their children were understood and cared for. One parent tearfully recounted, “For the first time, my child came home excited, talking about new friends and how much fun they had. I haven’t seen that kind of joy in a long time.” The counselors and staff also found the experience deeply rewarding. With the support provided by the Club 21 grant, they received training and resources to meet each child’s unique needs. Watching the children grow in confidence, self-regulation, and social skills became a highlight of their summer. By the end of the camp, the changes were undeniable. A once-withdrawn 8-year-old stood proudly in front of a cheering group, sharing a story he had written. A 5-year-old who struggled with outbursts began using breathing techniques to calm herself.
Club 21 grant funding made this life-changing experience possible, turning summer into a season of growth, hope, and joy for these 25 incredible children. It provided not just a camp but a community—a reminder that with the right support, every child can shine. Executive Director, Starla Bailey recounts, “Finding funding to expand our therapeutic programming is often very difficult. We rely on donations and grants to provide critical programming to our children and families, but it never seems like enough to meet the growing demand. Just to give some context on the need for mental health programs for young children, our waitlist for the academic year CAMP program has been growing each year since the program began 11 years ago. We serve about 70 children each year, but our waitlist now stands at 40 children. The summer camp expansion is a critical add-on that enables us to meet the needs of children most in need.” When asked about the impact of the Summer Intensive Therapeutic Camp, Ms. Bailey adds, “Children deserve the opportunity to just be children. Unfortunately, for children who demonstrate behavioral and mental health challenges, despite their young age, attending camp is not possible. The resources are just not there in most programs. We will continue to find solutions for these and other barriers to the healthy development of children in Atlanta. Our goal is to ensure all children are prepared for a lifetime of learning success, regardless of their socioeconomic background. We are truly grateful to the Altrusa International Foundation and its members for their support which enabled us to make a difference for 25 children.”
As Premier Academy reflects on this unforgettable summer, one thing is clear: this was just the beginning. The smiles, milestones, and memories have sparked a renewed commitment to continue making a difference for children who need it most. With the support of compassionate donors and visionary funding, the possibilities are endless.
*******************************
Since 1971, Premier Academy, Inc. has provided high quality, research-based education and childcare services to over 40,000 low-income children in metro Atlanta, ensuring 98% of children who leave the program are prepared for learning success. Each year the nonprofit serves nearly 500 children from six-weeks old to 12-years. Over 90% of children served at Premier Academy live in absolute poverty and face staggering challenges such as parental incarceration, homelessness, food instability, and domestic violence. Premier Academy is dedicated to providing comprehensive supplemental programs and services to remove barriers to educational achievement such as mental health services through the CAMP program, parenting classes, housing and food assistance, life skills and career training for parents to meet families where they are while encouraging and building advocacy, engagement, self-reliance, and success. To learn more about Premier Academy, please visit their website at premier-academy.org.