The recipient entity's physical address:
           8435 Ned Avenue Apt A
Baton Rouge, LA 70820

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           8435 Ned Avenue Apt A
Baton Rouge, LA 70820

Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Non-Profit Corporation

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          Caulette Jackson Guillard
Jeremy Blunt
James Vilas

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  1639

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $100,000

What type of request is this?  General Appropriation

Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?  Yes

Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
           James S. Vilas, Chair
6525 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Carol Goldsmith
343 Myrtle Hill Dr.
Baton Rouge. LA 70810

Joel Scales
Duct Doctor Baton Rouge
15138 Memroail Tower Dr.
Baton Rouge, LA 70810

Mike Zaunbrecher
10718 Hillgate Ave
Baton rouge, LA 70810

Eddie Parfait
1018 Oak Hills Pkwy
Baton Rouge, LA 70810



Barry Gahagen
9270 Siegen Lane
Baton Rouge, LA 70810



Robin Bennett
700 N. 10th Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Frank Klein
721 David Drive
Patterson, LA 70392


Nickki Godfrey
200 Laurel St.
Baton Rouge, LA 70801

Daniel Davis
4540 Hyacinth Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70808


Executive Director
Murelle G. Harrison
10733 Malcolm Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70811

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           The Gardere Initiative is a community-based organization committed to improving the quality of life for residents of the Gardere area. Its mission is to address the challenges affecting children, families, and the broader community, particularly substance abuse and other social issues, by creating a safe and healthy environment for all. Through spiritual intervention, collaboration, and strategic partnerships, the Gardere Initiative aims to transform the community and promote long-term positive change.

The primary objectives of the Gardere Initiative are centered around key areas of need in the community. First, the initiative focuses on addressing substance abuse by implementing programs designed to reduce substance use and mitigate related social problems. Second, the program promotes educational growth by offering tutoring, mentorship, and summer programs to support academic achievement and personal development among children and youth. Third, the initiative aims to enhance community wellness by providing resources that contribute to the holistic well-being of families, including job training, access to health services, and educational materials. Lastly, the program fosters community collaboration, bringing together local partners, volunteers, and residents to build a cohesive and supportive community network.
The Gardere Initiative offers a wide range of services and programs designed to meet the needs of youth and families in the community. One of the core programs is the After-School Program, which serves over 50 children and teens over a 9- month period. This program provides a safe space for homework assistance, enrichment activities, and mentorship.

Another key offering is the Summer Program, an 8-week initiative that provides educational and recreational activities for youth, along with employment opportunities for middle and high school students. These work opportunities equip students with valuable skills and help them gain job experience. Additionally, the Holiday Programs are held during major holidays to engage youth in positive activities and provide support to families in need. Annual Community Events such as the Back-to-School Extravaganza and Love Fest distribute school supplies and holiday gifts to hundreds of families, fostering a sense of community and support. The initiative also provides Resource Access through free computer and fax services for job applications and a Little Free Library, encouraging reading and literacy among residents of all ages.
In addition to its internal programming, the Gardere Initiative collaborates with various community stakeholders to maximize its impact. The initiative has developed strong partnerships with local schools such as Highland, Magnolia, and Wildwood Elementary, helping to address students' educational needs and providing a strong support system. It also works closely with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office’s Community Police Unit to enhance community safety and build trust between law enforcement and residents. Other key partnerships include collaboration with organizations like BREC, which provides recreational facilities and programs, and the Big Buddy Program, which supports youth through mentorship and summer activities.
The Gardere Initiative measures its success through a variety of impact metrics. The organization serves over 1,000 families annually, providing essential resources and support. Thousands of meals are served through the after-school and summer programs, ensuring that children have access to nutritious food. The summer programs also provide employment opportunities for middle and high school students, giving them the chance to develop work skills and gain valuable experience.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $25,000
          Professional Services. . . $15,000
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $15,000
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $25,000
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $20,000

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?  No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
          

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          The Gardere Initiative serves as a one-stop shop for many residents in the community. Computers are used to access employment opportunities, documents needed for social services and email. Residents have access to fax, telephone, and copying services. Our Spanish-speaking staff translates for parents interacting with the school, landlords and law enforcement. We provide an annual Town Hall Meeting with law enforcement, East Baton Rouge School System, District Attorney’s Office and US Attorney General’s Office to inform residents of their legal rights and other relevant entities. We have received funding to assist residents with rental and utilities payment via Capital Area United Way. Also, we have received funding to help Asset limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE population) families to move from a survival income to a stable income level.

Through partnerships with the East Baton Rouge School System, we assist in the enrollment of students that include accessing the necessary vaccinations, documentation, and other requirements. We serve as the liaison between the home and the school for Highland Elementary, Magnolia Woods, Wildwood, Glasgow, Westdale Middle, McKinley and Tara High Schools. In addition to these schools, we provide afterschool tutoring to students attending South Baton Rouge Academy and Gardere Christian School.

Through the implementation of prevention strategies, our ultimate outcome for children, youth and families is wellness. Implementing environmental strategies addresses violence, social-emotional learning, substance misuse, physical and social development; dimensions of wellness that results in wellness. The foundation for our success has been the Hartley/Vey Park (our backyard) and law enforcement (community policing). These funds will enable us to sustain the outcomes we have achieved and to build upon them.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          Goal: to ensure that the Gardere community is a safe and healthy place for all its residents.

Objective 1: to sustain the operation of the Gardere Initiative (GI) beyond September 2026. Currently, the GI receives funding from a federal Drug Free Communities that covers rent of $22,200, salaries, office supplies and a bookkeeper totaling $125,000 per year (October 2021- September 2026). The rental space is approximately 2700 sq. ft. for the 9-month After School Program, 8-week Summer Program and 11 Holiday Programs.

Objective 2: to increase the health of the community that includes decreasing litter, increasing programming for children, youth and families.

Gardere is described as being a “dirty” and dark community. Litter abounds in small front yards, streets, parking lots and city-owned lots. Large garbage cans remain visible along the streets beyond “pick-up” days. Many of the vacant lots and empty dilapidated buildings are used for drug use and transactions. The Mayor’s Office for Neighborhoods monitors the area to contact owners about boarding up or tearing down unused property and we conduct quarterly community cleanups.

The premise of our work is based upon data that youth who bond to positive people, their schools and neighborhoods are less likely to become involved with drugs; we attempt to develop these bonds. Since our office has been established in the neighborhood, we have brought services (Internet access, fax, computers, medical and dental, tutorial, adult literacy, summer and holiday programs), the arts (Neighborhood Art), community garden, mobile park activities, installation of a playground, and other alternative activities for youths and their families.

We have sponsored an After School Program since 2015 funded by the Wilson Foundation and the Big Buddy’s 21st Century funds that enrolls 95 students. LSU’s Foreign Language Department maintains a pipeline of students to assist with our Spanish-speaking students. Literacy has been our focus to align with the District and State that show under 49% of students are reading on grade level. We operate an 8-week summer program that enrolls about 100 children and youth that includes two weeks of swim lessons at Crawfish Aquatics.

The Gardere Youth Coalition was established in 2015. Community youth are recruited to assist with the Summer Program. Volunteerism is a pre-requisite for receiving incentives during the summer and opportunities for training. In 2018 funding from the Governor’s Office, Louisiana Youth for Excellence expanded our meeting format to include discussion groups targeting substance use, school choices, career opportunities, personal relationships, and a variety of relevant topics.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027

If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
     (a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
                 N/A
    
     (b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
                 N/A

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                 N/A

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                  N/A

If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person: 
               N/A

(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
          Provide the name and address of such person:
               N/A

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
                N/A

          What is the nature of the relationship?  N/A

(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
                 None

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               N/A


Contact Information
name:  Murelle G Harrison 
                                       address:  8435 Ned Avenue Apt A
                                       phone:  225-773-4541
                                       fax:  225.769.0305
                                       e-mail:  mgharrison65@gmail.com
                                       relationship to entity:  Executive Director