2019 Annual Report (5)

Gifford Youth Achievement | Vero Beach, FL
Current Grant Commitment: $60,000 per year for 5 years, 2019 - 2023, $300,000 total
Total Granted to Date: $72,000 SF Grantee Since: 2009
Annual Budget: $1.8M Founding Year: 1998
Founder and Leaders: Dr. A Ronald Hudson, Danforth K. Richardson
Relationship: Vin and Carla
and Rev. Dr. William Nigh, Angelia Perry, MS (Executive Director)
Gifford Youth Achievement?s mission is to establish a partnership among youth and adults of the Gifford community and
surrounding municipalities of Indian River County that will develop self-esteem, teach character, and encourage each
individual to reach for his or her ultimate potential. The Center focuses on five pillars to help mold students: Educational
enrichment; Tutoring/Mentoring; Family Support; Athletics and Community Involvement. In addition to homework
assistance, these pillars give their students access to on-site counseling, leadership opportunities, field-trips, motivational
guest speakers and cultural, social and recreational activities.
Their vision is that through their programs and activities they will increase participation, increase high school and college
graduation rates, increase parental involvement, enhance youth and adult success in life, and increase the positive sense
of self-worth within every individual they serve. Programs offered at the Gifford Youth Achievement include: After School
Education Program, Walter Jackson Haven (summer) Camp, Beyond Special K (senior/adult) Program (BSK), and Boys to
Men to Greatness Mentoring Program (B2M2G).
SF?s grant is a capital campaign gift for a new room at the center named in honor of Bryan Stevenson, founder and
executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI).
Programs
- After School Education Program: Serves students in grades K-12 by providing homework assistance, tutoring,
educational enrichment, personal growth and development instruction and cultural, social and recreational
activities.
- Walter Jackson Haven (summer) Camp: Provides students a summer enrichment program that provides academic
reinforcement in the morning and recreational activities in the afternoon. Students spend time in the mornings
with teachers who tutor and prepare them for the upcoming school year in reading, comprehension, spelling,
math, and science.
- Beyond Special K (senior/adult) Program (BSK): Serves adults/senior citizens who participate in educational,
recreational, and cultural activities. In addition, intergenerational activities take place between BSK participants
and students.
- Boys to Men to Greatness Mentoring Program (B2M2G): A holistic mentoring program for vulnerable, Black boys
ages 12 ? 18. The program provides mentors that act as a role model while also providing support and
encouragement. Participants received academic support, participate in community service activities and enjoy
recreational, cultural and social activities.
- Collaborative partners provide specific programmatic expertise in such areas as cultural arts, gardening and
music instruction. These collaborative partnerships include the School District of Indian River County, Indian
River State College, The Science Institute of Discovery, Riverside Children?s Theatre, Vero Beach Museum of Art,
Indian River County Recreation Dept., the Humane Society, Indian River County Extension 4-H Program, Float
Hope Swim Program, the Master Gardener Program, the Indian River Golf Foundation and Mardy Fish
Foundation to name just a few.
Impact and Successes
- The Gifford Youth Achievement has been recognized and awarded with the United Way of Indian River County
Agency Excellence Award (2010); The Girard Equipment Company H.E.T.Y (Helping Equip Today?s Youth) Award
(2012); the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Committee Torch Bearer Award (2014); and the Humane Society of
Indian River County Dart Reynolds Award (2015).
- Facility: A 38,000 square foot facility equipped with classrooms, computer labs, a County operated library, and an
in-door gymnasium.
47