BECAUSE I CARE, INC.

I am writing on behalf of Because I Care, Inc. (BIC) a 501 © 3 non- profit organization, serving Chicago Austin Community's at-risk youth between the ages of 6 – 16.

BIC works diligently and effectively with youth in the Austin community of Chicago to enhance character and social development, enforce community involvement, and provide educational tools and resources through our programs. We would like the opportunity to receive a grant from your personal and private donors, for our Food Services and Mentoring Programs. Here is a brief sample about Because I Care, Inc.

Our objectives are to:

• Match at-risk youth with volunteer mentors through our partnerships
• Provide computer literacy training
• Provide job training skills, job readiness and resume building skills
  • Coordinate health and wellness workshops
  • Distribute meals and healthy snacks to our youth

Through our certified food services program, we provide two nutritious meals (breakfast and lunch) and healthy snacks a day for our summer youth participants and community. In the past year, we fed over 1,000 youth. There are several core elements within the program: 1) health and nutrition educational workshops, 2) physical fitness and 3) meal distribution. In 2012, as a tactic to help tackle the devastating yet increasing youth obesity percentage we invited Miss Illinois to facilitate, on-site, a health and nutrition workshop with our youth participants. This educational workshop illustrated the importance of eating healthy while encouraging the youth to incorporate healthy routines in their lifestyle. Through our cultivated partnership with International African American Foundation, BIC coordinated events are all catered and serviced by Chef Robert Kelly. We are proud to have reached such success.

Since 2010, BIC has facilitated a robust mentoring program matching our youth with selected volunteers through our partnerships with DePaul University, Black Star Project and Dominican University. Each year we identify 25 youth participants affording them the opportunity to be paired with a mentor volunteer providing after-school tutoring, leadership and developmental skills, college readiness, and common social etiquette.

Our mentoring program has proven to be effective amongst our youth. Upon arrival, many of our youth participants were illiterate, however with vigorous tutoring assistance, within months our youth participants were able to read and write.

Because I Care, Inc. has accomplished so much since inception in 2010, however we are looking forward to making significant progress; with the opportunity to receive funding can augment our efforts. Should you require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me directly in the office at (773) 261-0555 or (312) 618-5665.

Sincerely,

Roman Morrow

Executive Director/Vice President

Because I Care, Inc.