A message from Jim
9.21.2011
Hello all,
Yes we are……digging in our heels that is !
Having recently read the good news that UCLA received a $200 million gift to plug the hole in its $1.8 billion endowment and that USC received a $150 million award to polish off its $3.7 billion endowment, we felt inspired to dig in our heels and make the case for building our own war chest (speaking financially).
We’ve been fighting the battle in the Watts community for 21 years now. Working with, counseling, educating, struggling, inspiring, crying, disciplining, motivating, laughing and guiding low-income, at-risk children and their families to make healthy choices and develop within them the capacities to lead productive, independent lives of purpose.
We have survived on grit, thrift, efficiency, hard work and no government funding. Our efforts have grown – our staff has grown – the number of students we serve has grown – but our budget has remained stubbornly steady. Considering the economic challenges that hover and the election year approaching, near-term fundraising promises to be even more challenging than usual for low-profile NPO’s like Strive. The sluggish economy is nipping aggressively at our heels…. and we need the assistance of everyone reading these words to help us ride out the storm.
As you consider what and how substantially you might help Strive, I emphasize what few NPO’s of any size can claim: Strive is debt free, fully renovated and we operate an 11,000 sq. foot Mini Campus for Inner City Children on a modest budget.
We are courting certain individuals and foundations about the possibility of issuing a $500,000
challenge grant to Strive. Others have been asked to make substantial gifts or grants. As your hearts and minds weigh your potential involvement in Strive, you might also consider visiting Strive at our Meet our Kids Open House on Thursday, October 27th from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Thank you all so much for your thoughts and consideration. As always, we hope for the best.
Sincerely,
Jim Tetreau,
Founder
