If Given A Chance
What We Do:
Extend a lifeline to youth who have experienced trauma, abuse, and/or homelessness by providing financial support and a mentor starting when they are a junior in high school and throughout their undergraduate college career. For all of our youth, education combined with mentoring and guidance is their only way out to find success.
If Given a Chance offers a lifeline for high school students who have overcome tremendous personal challenges and demonstrate a commitment to continuing their education. Youth who have suffered abuse, alienation, neglect, poverty, or homelessness often enter their post-high school years with little or no emotional, moral, or financial support. This program meets the essential needs of these students by providing food, shelter, transportation, school supplies and technology while they attend school. We also provide for college application and testing fees. Equally important, each student is provided an adult mentor to aid their path to success.
Other Ways to Help:
- Provide internships to college students in their declared major.
- Donate time to talk to a student about their field of study and/or your profession.
- Volunteer to assist with marketing and outreach.
- Volunteer to read college applications and essays and provide feedback.
- Assist with continued social media marketing.
- Assist with fundraising events by getting sponsorships and auction items.
- Provide gift cards of any denomination to go directly to IGAC youth.
- Assist with outreach and resource development for youth services.
- Help us locate available housing options for IGAC students.
Business Partners:
Merrill Lynch will match the first $1000 donated to If Given A Chance through the Give!Guide.
Bank of America offers both financial support and matching funds as well as expanded life experiences for students. The Quest Foundation provides matching grant funds for mentoring services. The Doctors Company offers financial support. The Napa Co. District Attorney’s Office gives both financial support and mentoring for our students.
Testimonial:
-
Mary Ann Formosa
-
Anonymous
-
Anonymous
-
Anonymous
-
Anonymous
-
Vicki Green, Ph.D.
-
Suzanne Mason
-
Vhea Poppe
-
Anonymous in honor of Charlie Jones, for doing "...whatever needs to be done" while he volunteered at VHS Farm.
-
Sarah Aguilar
-
Helen Bowman
-
Paul Reiser
-
John Lansingh
-
Anonymous
-
Lisa Alexander
-
Heather Graves
-
Grady Sibert