BEtter YOUth – Creating Learning Opportunities for at-risk Youth

“Sometimes, it’s tough to comprehend what really goes on in someone’s life. We can hear about it on the news and read about it, but the truth is that no one can understand the struggles of the black community unless you see it firsthand.”

Those were the words of Gabrielle Williams, one of the Co-Founders of BEtter YOUth, a 2021 Philanthropy Tank Palm Beach County awardee.

We asked Gabrielle a few questions to gauge what she and her co-founder, Olivia Gayle, have accomplished during these past few months.

How did you come up with BEtter YOUth?

BEtter YOUth is a youth-led program that empowers at-risk youth in the juvenile detention system. The name “BEtter YOUth” has capitalized the BE in better and the YOU in youth. The wordplay communicates to students that they should be themselves and not what society dictates of them.

“Our program provides a series of workshops relating to life skills, career learning opportunities, and much more! We focus on the students that are at risk and that have fallen on the wrong path.”

With everything that unfolded during the Black Lives Matter movement, a passion and drive arose in Gabrielle and Olivia to create change. They knew that their change had to start with the youth. “A lot of the bad decisions happen when they’re young. If we can make a positive change at a young age, then those at risk might have the opportunity to do better.”

What progress have you made since being awarded funding?

Gabrielle and Olivia are still in the planning phase. They hope to implement some workshops during the next few months. Their goal is to develop the program to execute without errors.

At the moment, the girls have started conversations with community partners to establish a relationship. A few of those partners are listed below:

  • PACE Center for Girls (PBC)
  • Juvenile Detention Center (PBC)
  • Youth Empowerment Center (Riviera)

What topics will your program cover?

The original goal of BEtter YOUth was to help students with financial literacy skills and introduce them to soft and hard skills needed for today’s workforce. After listening to students and their supporters, the girls have expanded their curriculum to include introductions to trades such as barbery, cosmetology, automotive, welding, and much more!

They also expect to introduce workshops about basic life skills, resume building, and college applications. They plan to get their high schools, Palm Beach Gardens and Palm Beach Lakes, involved in the process by having teens teach the courses to other teens.

From the eyes of Philanthropy Tank staff!

Gabrielle and Olivia are go-getters! The girls started with a personal passion during their initial application workshops. After holding conversations with Philanthropy Tank staff and community organizations, the girls went on a fact-finding mission to discover how to address the underlying issues affecting black communities.

From this journey, they concluded that supporting at-risk minority youth was the best way to help them prosper in life.

Corey Murphy, Philanthropy Tank’s Program Director had this to say about the work he’s doing with BEtter YOUth. “At times, it’s difficult for teens to know where they need to start. That’s where Philanthropy Tank staff comes in. We supported Gabrielle and Olivia in their fact-finding mission when creating their program. With BEtter YOUth, we have established a plan to meet every two weeks to discuss the next steps. Our current goal over the next 6 weeks is to figure out the topics they want to cover.”

Corey is working with Olivia and Gabrielle to create realistic and achievable short-term and long-term goals. Corey also mentioned that the girls are making a presentation meant to be shared with potential partners that could come in and talk about their trade. But they don’t plan to stop there. The girls envision having post-workshop opportunities for the children to continue learning about the options presented.

Would you like to support BEtter YOUth?

Are you interested in supporting BEtter YOUth, or do you want to learn more about the program? If so, please get in touch with Corey Murphy at cmurphy@philanthropytank.org.

 

Seven student-led charity programs earned more than $89,000 in funding thanks to their pitches made to a group of Philanthropist-Investors.

 

For the last four years Philanthropy Tank finalists made their presentations on a stage in front of hundreds of audience members. This year’s “Finals” event scheduled for the Kravis Center was canceled because of the coronavirus.

 

Last week the select group of teens finally received their opportunity to present their charity ideas virtually. Sunday afternoon Philanthropy Tank debuted the “recorded Live Finals Event program on its Facebook page and website (www.philanthropytank.org [philanthropytank.org]). A mentor was assigned to each charity and each program was eligible to be awarded up to $15,000 in funding.   Video of program – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG6_9zlKBzE [youtube.com]

 

This list of the programs includes what the program was awarded by the Philanthropist Investors.

  • Girls Help Girls – Rithika Kacham   11th grade, Suncoast High School – Awarded $15,000

Girls Help Girls is a project that aims to help women in need receive proper hygiene products such as diva cups and pads by raising awareness about the lack of access women have to proper hygiene products.

 

  • Hello Hygienics – Nishah Jaferi and Jonathan Beres  11th grade, Spanish River High School -Awarded $10,000

In Palm Beach County, the issue of homelessness is marked by limited access to basic needs such as dental care, skincare, feminine products, and more. Hello Hygienics strives to combat this barrier to proper sanitation by providing handy, on-the-go, wellness kits to prioritize health for the less fortunate.

 

  • Idea Lab – Angel Rojas, Pierce Dono, and Oliver Charles-Pierre – 8th grade,  St. Vincent Ferrer School – Awarded $13,500

These students aim to start an Idea lab in the library of the Glades based Hope Rural School based on the principles we have learned in Design Thinking class. Students will have a setup where they can gather tools and materials to create, invent, tinker, and fabricate as a community through hands-on design and construction.

 

  • MoneyBuddies – Gabriel Sun and Brendan Detamore – 11th Grade, American Heritage – Awarded $14,500

MoneyBuddies is a program that intends to inspire the youth of Palm Beach County by providing them with fun, free lessons in basic principles of financial literacy and proper money management.

 

  • Stand Up; Be Counted – Anajiah Graham and I’Yunni Phillips, 11th graders, Glades Central – Awarded $10,500

Concentrating in the Glades Area, the program’s goal is to increase the numbers of individuals who first complete and return the Census documents, thereby gaining seats in the House of Representatives when new electoral district boundaries are drawn.

 

  • South Florida Tech for Seniors – Sam Friedman  10th grade, Suncoast High School – Awarded $15,000

This program will work to help local senior citizens with their technology needs while teaching them basic skills to be self-sufficient.

 

  • Venture – Benjamin Gao – 11th grade, Dreyfoos  School of The Arts – Awarded $10,500

Venture is a student-led initiative based out of Dreyfoos School of the Arts. The primary goal of this project is to spread work-readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy skills to elementary and middle school students within Palm Beach County.

At the end of the program, Philanthropy Tank announced that the application process for the next class of student philanthropists in Palm Beach County is now open (click to apply).

This is Philanthropy Tank’s fifth year of supporting future ‘changemakers’. In that time, students have created and continue to run organizations supporting music/art education, women’s empowerment, underprivileged children, pediatric cancer patients and more. Following this recent event, Philanthropy Tank has awarded more than $500,000 in funding and provided hundreds of hours of mentorship for teens who have started nearly three dozen local charities.

Philanthropy Tank’s local success has led to its recently announced expansion to Baltimore, Maryland.

 

Philanthropy Tank Welcomes New Executive Director Who Brings More Than 20 Years of Nonprofit Experience in South Florida

Following five years with Habitat For Humanity, Amy Brand joins charity aimed at mentoring teenage “CHANGEmakers”

West Palm Beach, Fla – Amy Brand, who has more than 20 years of nonprofit development experience in South Florida, has been named the new Executive Director of Philanthropy Tank (www.philanthropytank.org). Brand has spent the last five years as the Chief Development Officer for Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County. She increased revenue there by more than 500% through strategic partnerships and donor relations.

Brand has already begun her new position as Philanthropy Tank’s leader. The charity challenges and empowers young philanthropists to develop and execute high impact and sustainable community betterment projects. Palm Beach County (7th-12th grade) students have the opportunity to secure mentoring from leaders in the philanthropic community, up to $15,000 of program funding and participate in learning workshops led by local experts. Since 2015 the program has awarded $400,000 in grants to teen-led programs that have impacted more than 200,000 lives. More than 500 local students have been involved in clubs supporting Philanthropy Tank programs.

“We believe that Amy’s record of success as a leader, fundraiser, and advocate for various organizations in our community makes her the right person to lead us to new opportunities in support of more young changemakers who wish to positively impact our community,” says Evan Deoul, Philanthropy Tank’s Co-Founder.

About the position Brand adds  “-  “I am looking forward to this next chapter in efforts to further the mission of Philanthropy Tank.  It is important to empower and engage our next generation of change leaders as they create practical solutions to impact our community.”

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Every season of Philanthropy Tank we are fortunate to welcome volunteer coaches who help guide each student through the extensive process of developing their ideas, presenting their charities and executing a strategy, among many other things. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please email info@philanthropytank.org

Scroll down and get to know this season’s Volunteer Coaches.

Coach: Edward C. Howell

Coaching: Alex’s Free Kicks

Dr. Ed Howell has always been fascinated by what makes people tick and the relationship between motivation and success in his students. Following a 25 year career as a financial executive in banking and securities with Merrill Lynch and A.G. Edwards, as well as eight years as an elected official, Ed is now a university Professor and Chair of the Economics & Finance in West Palm Beach, Florida. He received his Doctor of Education degree at Nova Southeastern University in 2013. Ed holds an Experimental Sciences degree from Aix-en-Provence, France, a B. A. from Vanderbilt University, and a Master’s in Economics and Finance from Middle Tennessee State University.

Author of What Are You Waiting For? A workbook for living your purpose, path and passion  various short articles and essays, Dr. Howell’s Wheel of Motivation emphasizes his teaching focus: motivation and application. “I want to see my students wanting to learn and feeling that they can confidently handle any new situation that comes their way in life,” he says. Ed is married to Jayne who have five children together; two cats make up a family of seven. Ed and Jayne live in Jupiter, Florida.

 

Coach: Andrew Huber

Coaching: Art for the Soul

Andrew Huber is a managing director and wealth strategist at U.S. Trust in Palm Beach, Florida.  In this role, he is responsible for developing and implementing

comprehensive strategies to assist individuals and families with complex financial needs such as preservation, transfer and management of wealth. He provides wealth management services in the areas of financial, estate, and philanthropy planning to help clients reach their goals and objectives. This includes coordinating with the client’s team of advisors and by conducting periodic reviews to help clients monitor progress.  Prior to joining U.S. Trust, Andrew practiced law in Miami and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, in the areas of wealth transfer tax, international taxation and the taxation of commercial transactions. Andrew earned his B.A. in Economics and History from Emory University, his J.D., with honors, from the University of Miami School of Law, and his LL.M in Taxation from the University of Florida College of Law.  Andrew holds the Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®) and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) designations. Andrew is past President of both the East Coast Estate Planning Council and Palm Beach Tax Institute.  He has also been involved in the Florida Bar Tax Section since 1998 and has served in a variety of leadership roles. Andrew has contributed to various publications and is a frequent speaker on topics such as The Role of Trust Protectors; Charitable Giving Involving Art; Tax and Estate Planning for Individuals Moving to Florida; Estate Tax Portability; Roth IRA Re-characterizations; and Year-end Tax Planning. Andrew serves as a Member of the Board and of Directors andVice-Chair of the Bak Middle School of the Arts Foundation and as a Florida Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League.  Andrew does not provide tax or legal advice in his role at U.S. Trust.

Coach: Takeata King Pang 

Coaching: Alive With Music

Takeata King Pang specializes in Communications, Campaigns, and Community Organizing. She has worked on numerous candidate and issue campaigns across the country. She also spent three years at Planned Parenthood of South, East, and North Florida working in communications, community organizing, and governmental affairs. She then served as Chief of Staff to Florida State Representative Kevin Rader for three years. Most recently, Takeata worked in Corporate Communications at TBC Corporation with a focus on internal/external communications and corporate giving events. In 2011, Takeata earned a Masters in Campaign Management from The George Washington University; and completed her Bachelor of Art degrees in Political Science and Communication Studies from Stetson University in 2004. Currently, Takeata is a partner in Blue Ocean, a campaign consulting firm specializing in local and municipal elections and is the Chief Program Officer for the Women’s Foundation of Florida focusing on developing and managing the organization’s programming while expanding efforts statewide to empower women and girls to change the world.

Coach: Richard T. Tripp

Coaching: STEM Lab

Upon graduating from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, I began my career in corporate banking working for the National Bank of Georgia and First Georgia Bank.  When I wasn’t lending money to small and midsize companies I was teaching financial statement analysis to junior executives and graduate students.    Inspired by Monty Python, my efforts to interject humor into spreadsheet preparation and liquidity analysis caught the attention of my supervisors and I was quickly smitten with the desire to teach.

Over the course of the last twenty-five years,  I have had the unique opportunity to be one of the founding directors of Oxbridge Academy and American Heritage of Delray Beach and the founder of the Academy at Middle Earth.  I have served on the Board of Directors for a local film production high school, a regional bank and occupied a number of teaching and administrative positions  at some of the finest schools in South Florida and Bethesda Maryland. Instead of crunching numbers my students have learned how to design and construct submersible ROVs, assemble one of the most unique tarantula research programs in South Florida, spend an afternoon swimming with dolphins or braving the crystal clear springs of winter while rubbing the stomachs of endangered manatees.   Guiding and inspiring students in their preparation for life’s challenges has ultimately been the most gratifying component in my life.

Coach: Amber Warren

Coaching: Code Autism

Amber Warren is the Programs Manager for JustWorld International, a nonprofit organization that unites the global equestrian community to provide basic needs programs to children around the world. She manages JustWorld’s partners in Honduras, Guatemala, Cambodia, and the United States; the volunteer program; and supports her colleagues with fundraising and events. Amber graduated from the University at Buffalo with a B.S. in Business Administration and an M.A. in International Events Management from London Metropolitan University. She enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, and dessert.

Philanthropy Tank Executive Director Carolyn Kost has the honor of coaching Little Angels Today, Bright Minds Tomorrow Coach this season

Coach: Daniel Morgan

Coaching: Mayan Girls

Daniel Morgan recently moved down to Florida from the Fabulous city of Las Vegas, Nevada. Having spent his whole life in the sun-dried desserts of Sonora and the Mojave, he is accustomed to both high temperatures and the absence of seasons. Although, nothing could have prepared him for the strangling like sensation he got as he took his first steps out of Palm Beach International and into the thick Florida humidity. His next shock came when he found himself estranged from his longtime career in “hospitality” and in the extremely lucrative field of social work. The crowded waiting room at 430 N G Street, Lake Worth, Fl, where between the hours of 8am and 5pm, Monday through Friday, you can find a multitude of children running, playing, laughing, crying,adults conversing, phones ringing, doors closing,doors opening; among all this noise, is where Daniel Morgan heard his call to action.

The Guatemalan Maya Center is a non-profit organization committed to accompanying the exiled Mayan people as they begin the process of transitioning into American society. The Center recognizes that the indigenous Maya face a particularly difficult set of challenges as they seek to make a life for themselves, in a world that is unfamiliar with their unique heritage. For this reason, the Outreach Department at the Guatemalan Maya Center has been tasked with unveiling and exploiting any and all opportunities that will help to ensure a future for the exiled people of Guatemala, the preservation of the Mayan Languages, and the continuation of Mayan Pride.

 

 

Philanthropy Tank Co-Founder Evan Deoul was joined by 2018-19 Finalist Alex Shnider of Alex’s Free Kicks during the live broadcast of CBS 12 news at 9am. Deoul had the opportunity to discuss the program and upcoming finals event, while future CHANGE maker Alex detailed the goal of his program.

To learn more about Philanthropy Tank’s mission Click here

To review a full list of 2018-19 finalists, click here

 

Seven teen-run charities will each vie for up to $15,000 in funding during a Shark Tank-like pitch event to be held at the Kravis Center

West Palm Beach, Florida– Seven charities founded and operated by local teens will each vie for up to $15,000 in funding in an event that puts a philanthropic spin on the popular TV show Shark Tank. Instead of ‘sharks’ the teens will present to local philanthropist-investors who will ultimately decide how much money each charity will receive. The Philanthropy Tank Palm Beach Finals Pitch Event will be held March 10th between 3pm and 5pm at the Kravis Center’s Cohen Pavilion. $1,000 will be awarded to the Palm Beach County school that has the most attendees at the event. Between 800 and 1,000 are expected to attend. This year’s seven Finalists are:

  • Art for the Soul works with disadvantaged children, often from Latin American countries, coming from economic hardships, traumatic experiences, and difficult home lives. Students are taught by students in a variety of subjects from basics of how to play the piano to, visual arts, and tutoring in all academics.  The program was proposed by Dreyfoos School For the Arts Students: 10th grader Cristina Lindner of West Palm Beach, 10th grader Mariele Sabat of Boca Raton, 12th grader Tomás Carter of Royal Palm Beach

 

  • Alex’s Free Kicks looks to expand its program with Philanthropy Tank support. The organization currently collects soccer balls and cleats in Wellington for those in need throughout Palm Beach County.  To date, the organization has collected and donated more than 550 balls and 250 cleats to the Boys and Girls Club of Palm Beach County. The goal is to collect from soccer fields across the County and get other children to become representatives and lead the local collection. The program was proposed by Alex Shnider of Wellington, a 10th grader attending Wellington Community High School.

 

  • STEM Lab is an educational program that targets underrepresented elementary school children. It is a year-long after-school project designed to provide mentorship to low-performing children and ensure their academic success. Students are taught over ten subjects including engineering, robotics, and medical science by local teen volunteers. STEM Lab aims to expand its program across the county with Philanthropy Tank’s support. The program was proposed by: Andrea Castillo, a 12th grader attending Spanish River Community High School,  Harry Castillo, an 8th grader attending Omni Middle School in Boca Raton, Wendy Garcia, an 11th grader attending Lake Worth Community High School

 

  • Code Autism’s mission is to develop and conduct computer coding classes for high school and college-aged students with autism. Code Autism’s goal is to facilitate an environment of social acceptance, purpose and education and, ultimately, employment for students. These courses will help combat the high rate of unemployment among those with autism. The program was proposed by Sophia Lloyd George of Palm Beach. She is an 11th grader at Oxbridge Academy.

 

  • Mayan Girls looks to serve the Guatemalan Mayan community by translating information such as current events, weather alerts, news topics, and community events. The program wants to assist this population who miss critical information because of a high rate of illiteracy in any language.  They will record, edit, and produce work to share via social media.  The program proposed by Lake Worth High School Community School students: 10th grader Lorena Felipe Sebastian, 11th grader Maria Andres, and Magdalena Francisco and Daniella Domingo, who are both in 9th grade.

 

  • Alive with Music seeks to use the art of music as a way to help restore the memories of patients that have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. The program was proposed by Mara Vaknin, an 11th grader from Lake Worth. She attends the Dreyfoos School of Arts.

 

  • Little Angels Today, Bright Minds Tomorrow aims to set up a mentoring program at El Sol for children ages 5-13, who do not speak English as their first language. They will tutor on Saturdays while their parents attend development courses. The charity will also create a camp and technology workshops to help each child develop skills in Word, Excel, and other applications typically used in school. The charity concept was developed by American Heritage 11th grader  Adryena Flores.

 

To secure free tickets to the event, click here:  http://bit.ly/Philanthropy_Tank_Pitch_Event_FREE_Tickets

 

Our application process is now open and will close November 4, 2018. To apply, CLICK HERE or on the image below. We look forward to reviewing your application. Don’t forget to connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to stay up-to-date!

Eligibility & Requirements

  • You must be a student or students who live in Palm Beach County OR who are enrolled in 8th-12th grade within Palm Beach County.
  • You may participate individually, or by forming a team with other eligible students. A team, for the purpose of participating in the Philanthropy Tank, is a maximum of four (4) students. A team should apply on one application. A winning team may execute their program with a larger group if they choose.
  • Media releases must be completed for each applicant and/or team member.
  • If you are selected as a Finalist, you will be required to attend several workshops. To learn more on eligibility, requirements, proposed programs, and more, visit our application page
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