Tampa Connection is excited to announce its nonprofit projects for the 2016-2017 class. A commitment to the philanthropic community in Tampa Bay is one of the most important tenets of the Tampa Connection program. Every year, selecting the nonprofits with which our class members will partner is incredibly difficult and this year was no exception. Meeting with the passionate representatives of local nonprofits serves as a great reminder of how lucky Tampa Bay is to have so many dedicated and enthusiastic people working to improve our community and the lives of the people in it. Tampa Connection is honored to partner with the following organizations for the 2016-2017 program.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay may have become a household name in the Tampa Bay area as well as across the country, but the organization remains as energized as ever as it celebrates its 90th year of working toward its mission of enabling young people to reach their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. Class members working with The Boys & Girls Clubs will work with the organization to create an advisory board of young professionals that will bring a new spark to Tampa Bay.
Creative Clay
Those who frequent the EDGE District in St. Petersburg may recognize Creative Clay from its dynamic gallery space, which showcases beautiful artwork created by talented artists with developmental, physical, and emotional disabilities in our community. The incredibly passionate organization is dedicated to providing education, expressive, and vocational opportunities in the arts for people with obstacles to arts access. Class members working with Creative Clay will help create business and marketing plans for an art supply thrift store that will serve as a revenue source for the work that the organization does and a provider of on-the-job training internships for individuals with disabilities.
Great Explorations Children’s Museum
Parents across the Tampa Bay area are familiar with Great Explorations Children’s Museum for its incredible exhibits and activities that stipulate learning through creativity, play, and exploration. However, the organization also devotes significant resources to ensuring that all children in our community have access to purposeful play through programs ranging from special hours and programming for children on the autism spectrum and their families to exhibits that travel to children who may not be able to visit the museum itself. Class members working with Great Explorations will work to create a promotional video to raise awareness in the community and among potential donors.
After School All-Stars of Tampa Bay
Celebrating more than twenty years nationally yet new to the Tampa Bay area, After School All-Stars is dedicated to its mission of providing comprehensive after-school programs that keep children safe and help them succeed in school and life. The organization provides free programs based in Title I schools and is the largest national organization to focus on the needs of middle school-age students. Class members working with After School All-Stars will create a plan to develop awareness of the organization within the corporate community of Tampa Bay and engage local companies in the organization’s work.
1 Voice Academy
The 1 Voice Foundation provides programs and services for pediatric cancer patients and their families. The organization is launching an initiative to create the first school in the United States for children with cancer in collaboration with Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute and the Hillsborough County Schools. Class members working with 1 Voice Academy will create an awareness campaign in hopes that other areas of the country will join the organization in creating important educational opportunities for pediatric cancer patients and their families.