25% complete
$10,000 Goal
| # | Participant | Donors | Donations | Raised |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||||
| 2 | ||||
| 3 | ||||
| 4 | ||||
| 5 |
The Blair County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Blair County Class (LBC) of 2015 is raising funds to support The Door, a center for at-risk youth founded 16 years ago in Bellwood, Pennsylvania. The Door’s mission is to provide a safe, normal, after-school environment for youth in the Bellwood area. The Door has been staffed by Director Dave Taylor and his wife Angela for the last 12 years.
During weekdays, 20 to 40 youth ages 12 – 18, are welcomed to the facility at 521 Main Street in Bellwood. A hot, nutritious meal is served daily in a family atmosphere. The youths are encouraged to learn life skills, such as dishwashing, cleaning, and socialization. Completing homework assignments also is encouraged. Mentor’s emphasize how to fill out a job/college application and navigate medical services. The Door provides a safe, welcoming environment to youth who often lack a structured home environment with regular meals and parental attention.
Demonstrated benefits for the participating youth at The Door include:
The need:
Private support for The Door is especially vital because the organization is financially self-sustaining. The Door does not receive government funding. A network of private donors and churches provide the funds that comprise the organization's $120,000 annual operating budget. The Door serves 6,000 meals annually using a non-commercial kitchen. In addition to seeking donated services and equipment, the Leadership Blair County Class of 2015 is raising funds to provide The Door with an enhanced maintenance and supplies budget that will enable the organization to make necessary improvements to its facility, including kitchen repairs and safety improvements.