The Gaudet Committee announced the awarding of seven community grants. 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 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 2017 Gaudet Community Grant recipients are:
Anna’s Place NOLA, New Orleans
The mission of Anna’s Place NOLA, a ministry of St. Anna’s Episcopal Church, is to promote healing and wholeness of body, mind, and spirit in the Treme/7th Ward and the Greater New Orleans community by offering academic, cultural, and arts enrichment; holistic health care, and healthy lifestyle education. St. Anna’s received two grants through the Gaudet Community Grant program. The first grant will provide support for staff position for the after-school program which is an arts-integrated, project-learning curriculum developed by a music educator in conjunction with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and Carnegie Hall. The after-school program incorporates reading, math, science and visual arts into a music base. The program provides homework help; Saturday instruction in vocal and instrumental music and visual arts; field trips; gardening; nutrition classes and physical activities; health education classes; health screenings; group discussions with a licensed therapist; music therapy; and conflict resolution strategies. (Award amount $10,000).
The second grant awarded to Anna’s Place NOLA will provide funding for curriculum development, supplies, and support to staff for a four-week summer camp program. The summer camp program is an arts-integrated project-learning curriculum expanding on the Saturday vocal and instrumental instruction music education program. (Award amount $10,000)
Kid’s Orchestra, Baton Rouge
The Kid’s Orchestra brings quality and affordable afterschool music and academic enrichment programs for all K-5 students across all socioeconmic backgrounds in their community. Gaudet funds will provide 7 full-year scholarships. (Award amount $7,500)
Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights, New Orleans
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 opportunity. Gaudet funds will partially support two education advocate staff positions working with the LCCR’s Right to Learn Project, a program that address the need of the children by aiming to keep youth in school, increase graduation rate, and reduce the likelihood of becoming further involved in the justice system. (Award amount $5,000)
Upturn Arts, New Orleans
Upturn Arts is a non-profit art organization providing outreach and support services to at-risk children through art education. Gaudet funds will provide scholarships to African-American from low-income families to attend a 10-week summer camp. (Award amount $5,000)