Orange Duffel Bag Initiative

ODBI’s coaching model and curriculum are inspired by the award-winning book “My Orange Duffel Bag: A Journey to Radical Change.” In 2010, an ODBI coaching program pilot was launched in partnership with GA Department of Human Services to provide an innovative solution and intervention to improve the education achievement rates of students in foster care. From 2012-2015, in collaboration with the University System of Georgia (USG) Board of Regents (BOR), ODBI expanded its impact to serve GA high school students certified homeless. In 2016, the USG BOR, in partnership with ODBI to deliver its programs to 1000 homeless and foster care students, was awarded GA’s first 7-year GEAR UP Georgia Matching Grant from the US Department of Education. ODBI is Recipient of Emory University’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Award.

ODBI coaching programs and ongoing advocacy support social and emotional learning by coaching students to develop a comprehensive plan for their life and education success. Our “Team Orange” culture is to improve the wellbeing of our program graduates by empowering students to establish and maintain healthy relationships and community connections in support of their vision for their best life.

Volunteer advocates are an integral part of Team Orange; their participation and support in our coaching programs provide additional advocacy and support to our student populations.