368
Guiding Light Foundation
5205 N 51st St Omaha NE 68104
PO Box 341 Omaha NE 68102
www.guidinglightfoundation.org
The Guiding Light Foundation
Veronica Carter
Founder/CEO
guidinglightfoundation402@gmail.com
402-880-1978
Yes
Veronica Carter, Founder/Chief Executive Officer/Chairman of the Board My name is Veronica Carter, I am the Founder and CEO of the Guiding Light Foundation. I also currently serving as the Executive Director of the Guiding Light Foundation 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. As Executive Director, I oversee all policy efforts, supervise research efforts that help provide support for all programs within the foundation. I collaborate with community leaders to help raise funds to support and expand the quality of the Guiding Light Foundation’s after school tutor and mentor program as well as the youth athletic programs. Prior to creating the Guiding Light Foundation, I served as a case manager in the social services field. My responsibilities included meeting with client’s one-on-one to screen and assess barriers, creating a service plan to help them become self-sufficient and providing supportive services to help them reach their desired goals. I also have a background in sales and marketing, childcare and financing. I have worked for Fortune 500 companies like TD Ameritrade, Cox Communication and First National Bank of Omaha and with the State of Nebraska. BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Dr Courtney Golden-Academic/Educational Advisor-focused on creating sustainable after school programs and how to increase participation in the after school and summer programs Jack Choice- Organizational Development Advisor Troy Barring- Sales and Marketing Advisor Dr. Phyllis Glass-Spiritual Advisor JP Carter-Director of Media/Communications Advisor-responsible for all media relations and productions. Brittany Parker- Program Advisor Parisee Bosley- Administrative Advisor ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORTIVE STAFF: Special Assistant to the Executive & Computer Lab Teacher- Edwyna Choice Special Assistant to the Executive Director- Jasmine Carter and Katie Thomas Supportive Staff and Volunteers for After school Tutor/Mentor Program: Toya Broadway- On Site Nurse & Tutor Thomas Smith- Volunteer & Mentor Michele Smith- Academic Volunteer (Reading Room) & Mentor Cecilia Smith- Academic Volunteer and Mentor Noele Smith -Nutritionist Crystal Williams- Academic Volunteer and Mentor Michele Parker- Academic Volunteer and Mentor Volunteers for the Athletic Programs: Cheer: Jasmine Carter, Jacqui Clough, Katie Thomas. Tumble: Jacqui Clough Basketball: Jay Carter, Chris Lewis and Brittany Parker
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Dr Courtney Golden-Academic/Educational Advisor-focused on creating sustainable after school programs and how to increase participation in the after school and summer programs Jack Choice- Organizational Development Advisor Troy Barring- Sales and Marketing Advisor Dr. Phyllis Glass-Spiritual Advisor JP Carter-Director of Media/Communications Advisor-responsible for all media relations and productions. Brittany Parker- Program Advisor Parisee Bosley- Administrative Advisor ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORTIVE STAFF: Special Assistant to the Executive & Computer Lab Teacher- Edwyna Choice Special Assistant to the Executive Director- Jasmine Carter and Katie Thomas Supportive Staff and Volunteers for After school Tutor/Mentor Program: Toya Broadway- On Site Nurse & Tutor Thomas Smith- Volunteer & Mentor Michele Smith- Academic Volunteer (Reading Room) & Mentor Cecilia Smith- Academic Volunteer and Mentor Noele Smith -Nutritionist Crystal Williams- Academic Volunteer and Mentor Michele Parker- Academic Volunteer and Mentor Volunteers for the Athletic Programs: Cheer: Jasmine Carter, Jacqui Clough, Katie Thomas. Tumble: Jacqui Clough Basketball: Jay Carter, Chris Lewis and Brittany Parker
THE GLF is a faith based 501 (C)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes activities, education and partnerships that support the health and human service needs of individuals, youth and families. Our team of volunteers include educators, advocates, entrepreneurs and community leaders who are willing to use their expertise for the aspiration of our students and their families. The Guiding Light Foundation is dedicated to helping students achieve academic excellence by offering tutoring and mentoring. We currently offer after school tutoring and mentoring which provides the tools to encourage and help our youth accomplish their academic goals. Our tutors and mentors are teaching our students how to make good choices both academically and socially. Our tutoring program has also enlisted the help from some of our best high school and college students in Nebraska. Our tutors and mentors offer help with reading, math and science homework, they also teach the students how to prepare for test and other academic challenges. Our after-school literacy program offer's academic support for our youth which helps promote literacy. The Keeping Kids Fed Program is also part of the after-school tutoring program. This program provides healthy snacks or meals daily. With the support from the Omaha Economic Recovery Act Coordination Plan, the Guiding Light Foundation will be able to go forward with our Saturday Academy which will focus on STEAM- an educational approach to learning science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. A big portion of the funds would be allocated towards our Liberal Arts department where kids will be introduced to Journalism, Photojournalism, Photography and Writing as a career. To support this work, we will need a functioning building, with the equipment and paid staff to run the program. Our programs will also offer career exploration opportunities. These resources will also be provided for post-high school job training and higher education opportunities. GLF's mentoring programs and career resources will help families grow and develop into positive, productive and self-sufficient citizens. Our Summer Day Camps offered a wide range of events and activities to include basketball drill camps, dance/pom & cheer camps. Our Guiding Light Sparkles Cheer and Tumble Program is held at North Corp Salvation Army on 24th Pratt. Follow “OUR FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT The Blog”, as we discuss future to strengthen community support of individuals and families by creating opportunities to share information, develop relationships and build connections among people and groups serving the community. SOME OF OUR FUTURE PLANS: 1. Under the umbrella of the Guiding Light Foundation, our vision is to partner up with other charitable organizations, local businesses and the community to add more programs and activities like health and wellness, parenting classes, legal aid, camping, concerts, retreats and rebuilding our neighborhood parks and playgrounds. 2. Organizing back to school events and school supplies drives to help parents fill in the gap wherever the need is and make sure that the students return to school goes smoothly. 3. Being a charitable organization, the Guiding Light Foundation is committed to providing an outreach program that will focus on food insecurities by organizing food drives and building a food reserve that will help to feed children and families in our neighborhoods. Our long-term goal is to build a FOOD BANK that will distribute food on a monthly or bi-weekly schedule to families in need.
Guiding Light Foundation Expansion
357920.0
357920.0
Combination of capital project and service/program
The Guiding Light Foundation would like to secure a building to develop a head- quarters to support the Guiding Light Foundation After School Tutor and Mentor Program currently operating out of the Fellowship Hall of Mt Nebo Baptist Church, the Saturday Academy which promotes STEAM, the Guiding Light Foundation plans to build a Broadcasting Studio to teach underserved youth Broadcast Journalism. For health and wellness the Guiding Light foundation currently offers basketball camps, our program needs a reliable gym facility for basketball camps and tournament's, a dance studio to practice and hold basketball/cheer/dance/tumbling /classes and camps. The North Corp Salvation Army currently allows us to utilize their facility for the cheer/dance/tumble program. Within the proposed building we are requesting we would like to designate rooms to help the children succeed. This will help stabilize the program and support advancement.
I anticipate spending the funds by July 2025. By purchasing or leasing a building, paid staff, expenses that support the program, which will include the purchase of a van for transporting children.
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Fundamental Change (i.e., a proposal that will continue to elevate North or South Omaha's presence and perception within the region, significantly improving the lives of area residents through physical development) Long-Lasting Economic Growth (i.e., a proposal that will foster gainful employment opportunities and financial investment in the area, leading to the creation of generational wealth and widespread economic vitality in North and South Omaha) Transformational (i.e., a proposal that will help energize, recharge, or spur significant and favorable advancements in North or South Omaha's function or appearance)
Quality of Life (i.e., create or enhance natural spaces, mixed uses, parks, safety, etc.) Sustainable Community (i.e., create or enhance housing, services, education, civic uses, recreation, etc.)
Our goal is to support lower income families in disinvested communities.
These specific communities do not have enough support to thrive. Our program addresses academic needs and will help close the gap of food insecurities while exposing children to better opportunities.
My proposal will invest in our community at a high level.
6 permanent jobs and 7 part-time jobs
Six permanent jobs
5-6 temporary jobs include the general construction contractor
Job wage levels will vary.
I plan to collaborate with multiple business within the Qualified Census Tract
As an upstart After School Academic and Tutoring Program, we strive for greater family and community involvement in our children’s learning, development, and achievements, closing the gaps which may exist in our local schools. As with many after school programs, we depend on, and draw upon parent and community volunteers. Our research data shows that when parents are involved their child’s learning they do better. Educators can also expect that when family and community members make an investment a school academic program, interest, and involvement in children’s learning produces positive results in the child’s life, and in their outlook on higher education as a whole. We are gradually developing best practices that fit within the confines of our local schools to develop working relationships where together we will recognize the importance of working together along with other community groups and agencies. As founder and CEO I recognize one group or program cannot be all things to all people, Studies show positive results by collaborating agencies and other organizations in service to our children.
We will be supporting the community members which contributes to a holistic community.
I plan to highlight our Broadcast Journalism program which currently does not promote people of color.
The goal is to improve the education of our youth.
By pre and post testing.
Yes, by supporting our proposal we would be to expand in different communities within the Qualified Census Track
Yes
Spark is a partner by providing ongoing real estate and community development technical assistance, helping make referrals to other development professionals, facilitating engagement and support with project neighbors, assisting with interactions and processes with City Planning for things like pre-application meetings, Zoning and Planning Board, and City Council approval (as needed), and we can be a potential source of funding or financing for projects. Additionally, we are partners in advocacy, in that we develop and promote policies and incentives that support emerging developers and enhance the viability of real estate development projects. MT Nebo Missionary Baptist Church allows the Guiding Light Foundation to utilize space for the After School Tutor/Mentor Program North Corp Salvation Army allows the Guiding Light Foundation to utilize space for the Athletic Programs.
No
Not yet indicated will purchase a building the Qualified Census Tract.
Within one or more QCTs
No
No
No
No
No
No
Purchase building, support staff, supplies need for programs
Yes
Already 100 percent invested, will continue to support the program until permanent funding is secured
Donations
building and supportive staff
Small components
This funding source will help with capacity building, supportive staff should be paid to do this amazing work. This will help ensure the program will be stable enough to serve communities for generations to come.
We are 100 percent invested
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1.0
1.0
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