The Gaudet Committee announces the awarding of 24 community grants for the 2023 program year. The Gaudet Community Grant provides funding for not-for-profit agencies that create, manage, and expand educational opportunities for African-American children within the Diocese of Louisiana. The total amount awarded this year is $126,940.00.
The Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana is proud to honor the legacy of Mrs. Frances Joseph Gaudet, a turn-of-the-century educator and activist. Mrs. Gaudet had the wisdom to leave her trust to the Episcopal Church in such a way that her mission would continue to find new ways of expression in changing times. Mrs. Gaudet dedicated her life to building alliances with people of every race and class. The Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana is committed to keeping her purpose alive.
The 2023 Gaudet Community Grant recipients are:
Algiers Charter School
Algiers Charter is a community-based charter network committed to student success in both college and life. Each school is designed to support each child’s academic, social, and emotional journey.
Award amount: $5,600
Gaudet Funds will be used to provide additional academic support for our students including curriculum, tutoring, and summer school.
Anna’s Place NOLA
Anna’s Place NOLA After School and Saturday and Arts Academic Program’s goal is to integrate academics with art enrichment and healthy lifestyle choices drawing together the education, arts and medical aspects of our work for children of Tremè and the Seventh Ward. The After-school program includes an ethics and morals education program called Learning for Life (developed by the Boy Scouts of America; homework assistance; reading tutoring with Sylvan Learning, STAIR (Start the Adventure in Reading), and individual tutor STEM classes with the Electric Girls and NOLA Code programs and Microsoft Store; field trips to the N.O. Museum of Art and Loyola Biology department labs. The Saturday Kids’ Program focus is on the arts and includes instrumental music lesson therapy; music introduction/music theory; social skills (following Boy Scouts of America’s Learning for Life curriculum); dance (led by a local dance artist); drumming; vocal music, and healthy lifestyle education (gardening, nutrition, and yoga).
Award amount $11,200
Funding will be used to support tutoring, social emotional classes, and art classes in the aftermath of Covid and Hurricane Ida. To provide hot, healthy meals for students every day that classes are in session.
Anna’s Place NOLA Summer Camp Program offers academic enrichment activities to promote continued learning. These activities will include a reading tutoring program with Sylvan Learning and/or the STAIR program, and STEM classes in collaboration with the Electric Girls, NOLA Code and/or the Microsoft Store. Activities in arts such as instrumental music lessons by LPO or other professional musicians, visual arts lessons (led by a local artist), music therapy, music introduction/music theory, dance (led by a local dance artist), drum and vocal music ensembles. Social skills development classes follow the Boy Scouts of Americas Learning for Life curriculum focusing on morals and ethics, and healthy lifestyle education (gardening, nutrition, and/or health classes), field trips or presentations from local organizations and swimming lessons.
Award amount $11,200
Gaudet funds will be used to support full-time staff who coordinate all aspects of the program, local artist instructors and transportation costs. Hot meals daily.
Arts Council of Pointe Coupee
The Arts Council of Pointe Coupee provides visual arts instruction for the students at the STEM Magnet Academy of Pointe Coupee through the Learning Life Lessons Through Arts Program. The mission of the Arts Council of Pointe Coupee(ACPC), as a community multi-arts organization, is to involve children and adults in professional instruction, performances,exhibitions, and other art experiences designed to develop skills and appreciation and toprovide enjoyment.The Arts Council is a volunteer non-profit organization that is in New Roads, Louisiana in a rural parish where agriculture is the dominant industry,and the incidence of poverty is significant.
Award amount: $3,340
Grant funds will be used for the Art on the Go summer camp for art materials and to compensate the workshop facilitator who plans the camps and purchases and organizes the art stations.
Baton Rouge Ballet Theater
Baton Rouge Ballet Theater‘s mission is to promote the advancement of classical andcontemporary dance by maintaining a performing company, presenting ahigh-qualityseason,and providing both dance education and community outreach. Reaching deep into underservedareas of the community is a major goal of our extensive outreach programs, which includes the Youth Ballet (YB) summer tour which delights area audiences with some 30 free performancesat libraries, community centers and living facilities from inner city to rural areas across four parishes; Ballet Experience Initiative which regularly underwrites tickets for underserved members of the community as determined by social service agencies;Ballet for Every Body which tours public schools with local professional dancers to educate youth; and Clara’s Closet which helps those needing financial support to perform in and acquire tickets to Nutcracker.We also aid the next generation of dancers hoping to become professionals by hosting national auditions, providing scholarships and scholarship opportunities to major training academies, and providing master classes.
Award amount: $4,000
Gaudet Funds will be used for the costs of costumes, local pre-professional and professional dancers, choreography, mileage, sets, props, insurance, costume storage and studio rent for rehearsals, and other supplies and materials that are directly associated with the performances.
Christ Episcopal Enrichment Program (CEEP)
Christ Episcopal Enrichment Program (CEEP) is is an outreach ministry to children in the Covington, Louisiana, community who are moving into grades 3-6. The program began at Christ Episcopal Church in 1992 and is held at the church each summer. They offer a three week camp in the summer which includes breakfast and lunch, integrated academic classes taught by certified teachers, enrichment lessons and activities presented by volunteers from the church and community, and lessons in character development, goal-setting, and conflict resolution.
Award amount: $3,000
Gaudet Funds will be used towards the purchase of field trips, bus transportation, classroom materials, teacher, and administrator salaries. Enrichment classes such as art, music, cooking, swimming, and knitting.
Clover (Formerly Known as Kingsley House)
Clover (formerly known as Kingsley House) envisions a city and region where all young children are ready to succeed and all citizens are healthy and economically stable. Since 1896, Clover has provided education and advocacy on issues affecting children, families, seniors, and the community. Clover offers nationally-accredited and state-certified programs and services to infants,children, parents, seniors, veterans and medically-fragile adults in the Greater New Orleans area. We envision a city and region where all young children are ready to succeed and all citizens are healthy and economically stable. Clover is committed to ensuring that individuals and families have the supportsnecessary to be successful at all stages of life. To accomplish our goals, wejoin forces with dedicated community partners. Collectively, we work with families to fuel economic growth and social change in our city, state and region.
Award amount $5,600
Gaudet funds will provide support for expense categories related to the camp that include personnel, supplies, materials, indirect costs, and other direct programming expenses.
Dillard University
The Lawless Memorial Chapel at Dillard University Vision Quest Academy is a four night, five-day summer program for twenty male and female youth in age groups 12-15 amd 16-21. Participants will love on campus between Thursday, July 6 and Monday, July 10. During this time, students will be encouraged to explore their relationship with God and their community, to consider a calling to the ministry and to higher education, and to learn to be leaders in their community. The program will include guidance from the community, lincluding schools, businesses, and non-proft agencies: local Methodist churches; and Dillard Universit professors. Participants will receive lodging, meals, spiritual guidance, and participate in physical fitness activities and field trips.
Award amount: $11,200
Gaudet Funds will be used to provide a summer program to twenty male and female youth in the age groups 12-15 and 16-21. The program includes guidance from the community, schools, businesses, and non-profit agencies. Participants will receive lodging, meals, spiritual guidance, and includes physical fitness activities and field trips.
Educare New Orleans (ENO)
Educare New Orleans (ENO) provides high-quality, evidence-based early childhood education to economically disadvantaged students. ENO’s mission is to enable students to begin kindergarten on grade with their peers from more affluent households. ENO is a full-day, year-round school serving 168 students ages 6 weeks to 5 years old in Orleans Parish.
Award amount: $5,600
Gaudet funds will be used to support implementing the Educare model, particularly early education staffing.
Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education (Sci High)
The Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education (Sci High) is dedicated to providing critical resources for innovative STEM education and workforce development to ensure that every New Orleanian can contribute to our wellbeing and innovation through the tools of math and science. Sci High is expanding its summer program: STEP: Summer Tutoring and Enrichment Program to address unfinished learning while also providing students with additional opportunities for academic growth during the summer months. Gaudet funds will be used to purchase course materials, pay for teacher stipends, and cover some of the costs of student transportation.
Award amount $2,800
Gaudet funds will be used to purchase course support instructional material, pay for teacher and support staff stipends, and tutoring supplies.
Gardere Community Christian School
Gardere Community Christian School‘s goal is make a high quality, Christian education available to every child and family in the Gardere area, regardless of their financial circumstances.
Award amount $5,600
Gaudet funds will be used to support tuition gaps for the three-year-old program.
Good Shepherd Nativity Mission School
Good Shepherd Nativity Mission School seeks to help low-income, urban youth in order to realize their fullest potential as productive members of society by providing them with an extended-day, year-round, quality education, integrated with personal, moral and spiritual development, and continued guidance during the students’ further education.
Award amount: $2,800
Gaudet funds will be used to support a portion of supplies, bus rentals for off-campus activities after school and during the summer.
Grow Dat Youth Farm
The Grow Dat Youth Farm‘s mission is to nurture a diverse group of young leaders through the meaningful work of growing food. Grow Dat offers stipends to high school students through leadership programs. Participants come to the farm in the afternoons and Saturday to grow, harvest, sell, donate, and cook healthy food on the sustainable farm located in New Orleans City Park.
Award amount $5,600
Gaudet funds will be used for youth stipends, transportation costs, and educational supplies for your leadership programs.
Kid’s Orchestra
The Kid’s Orchestra brings quality and affordable afterschool music and academic enrichment programs for all K-5 students across all socio-economic backgrounds from partner schools in East Baton Rouge Parish. Program components include quality music instruction, homework assistance, tutoring, and opportunities to perform in a children’s orchestra.
Award amount $8,000
Gaudet funds will be used to assist in funding live virtual private lessons with Virtual Social Emotional Learning lessons.
Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights
The Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights (LCCR) connects New Orleans most vulnerable children- young people who fall into the juvenile justice system- with educational opportunities. Gaudet funds will partially support two education advocate staff positions working with the LCCR’s Right to Learn Project, a program that addresses the need of the children by aiming to keep youth in school, increase the graduation rate, and reduce the likelihood of becoming further involved in the justice system.
Award amount: $5,000
Gaudet funds will partially support two education advocate staff positions.
New Orleans Family Justice Alliance Inc
New Orleans Family Justice Center is a partnership of agencies dedicated to ending family violence, child abuse, sexual assault, and stalking through prevention and coordinated response by providing comprehensive client-centered, empowerment services in a single location. Justice Alliance (NOFJA) provides a range of free services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking and child abuse in the Greater New Orleans area.
Award Amounted $5,600
Gaudet funds will be used provide the Safe Dates and Care-ageous Kids curriculum to students. Provide a range of training and workshops to youth in schools and on college campuses. Provide counseling services directly to children who have been exposed to domestic violence. developmental needs and interests.
New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy
The New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy (NOMMA) is a Type-2 public charter school serving students in the New Orleans Metropolitan area. NOMMA is dedicated to the education of students, no matter their background or previous school experience. Students at NOMMA study in a focused, college preparatory environment guided by a team of teachers and retired military instructors who bring unparalleled experience to the classroom. All NOMMA students are cadets in the Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training (JROTC) Program. The mentoring support provided by the JROTC Instructor and instruction from the master’s level academic faculty ensures that cadets achieve their personal and academic potential. The acquisition of core knowledge and the skills of analysis, problem-solving, communication and global responsibility will ensure cadets’ success as future local and national leaders.
Award amount: $5,600
Gaudet funds will be used to provide a rigorous curriculum, career and technical training, and character. Alongside core mathematics and science classes, NOMMA offers the Jumpstart TOPS Tech Career Diploma, which results in an industry-based certification.
Rooted Ones
Rooted Ones Mentoring program is designed to serve male youth aged 13-21 years, with particular attention paid to recruiting those from socioeconomically-disadvantaged backgrounds and those who are at higher risk of involvement in the carceral system, including those who have already been incarcerated. Rooted Ones is dedicated to restoring hope among young men as an action-based mentoring organization. Rooted Ones creates a community rooted together to support and uplift our young men to stay in school, out of prison, and away from violence. We aim to improve academic achievement, self-esteem, social competence, and avoidance of at-risk behavior by providing a mentor who is able to help youth achieve their goals.
Award amount: $2,800
Gaudet funds will be used to recruit and train mentors.
Son of a Saint
Son of a Saint exists to transform the lives of fatherless boys through mentorship, emotional support, development of life skills, exposure to constructive experiences, and formation of positive, lasting peer-to-peer relationships. Son of a Saint takes a holistic, individualized, and evidence-based approach to addressing fatherlessness. A major component of our programming centers on the intersection of mental health, education, and mentorship. Students with mental health diagnoses and learning disorders are more likely to face suspension and expulsion and are less likely to graduate high school than their peers.
Award amount: $5,600
Gaudet funds will be used for the mentor program expenses related to mentoring, such as salaries, materials, etc.
Teaching Responsible Earth Education (T.R.E.E.)
T.R.E.E.’s mission is to educate children and adults about the life science processes that govern our planet, to inspire them to appreciate the natural world, and to motivate them to protect it. Annually from September through May, T.R.E.E. educators provide comprehensive science learning experiences for elementary and middle school students. Programs are in line with their academic and developmental needs and are conducted in outdoor, forested “classrooms” and additionally, more recently on school campuses.
Award amount $2,800
Gaudet funds will be used for materials, printing, and part-time educator time.
Trinity Educational Enrichment Program (TEEP)
The Trinity Educational Enrichment Program (TEEP) is a summer educational program for 5th and 6th graders, as well as pre-K children, from at-risk, and/or disadvantaged homes. Campers receive breakfast and hot lunch daily, and attend classes taught by certified instructors in science, math, art, music, and language arts. Afternoon activities include guest speakers, field trips, swimming lessons, and other organized recreation such as dance and drama.
Award amount $5,600
Gaudet funds will be used for campers toreceive breakfast and hot lunch daily, and attend classes taught by certified instructors in Science, Math, Art, Music, and Language Arts.
Ubuntu Village NOLA
Ubuntu Village NOLA works to deliver transformational justice to youth and families impacted by the juvenile justice system. Ubuntu Village NOLA provides mentoring to young people aimed at increasing self-confidence and self-reflection, improving family/community support, planning for re-entry, and educational and occupational goal-setting.
Amount awarded $5,600
Gaudet funds will be used to develop curricula, purchase supplies, pay Ubuntu trainers, and pay mentors.
Upturn Arts
Upturn Arts is a non-profit art organization providing outreach and support services to at-risk children through art education. Upturn Arts provides arts education classes in dance, music, visual arts and theater.
Award amount $2,800
To provide arts enrichment programming for New Orleans children to foster their personal growth. The grant funds are to be used for scholarships for children from qualified low-income families.