Fund Raiser and Vision
Grant Proposal
 

Organization Description

In 1995 Praise Chapel founded the Potter’s House School located centrally in the historic district of Hartford, Vermont, next door to the Hartford Library. For nearly 12 years Potter’s House has provided a supportive and enriching educational experience to low-income children and youth in the Upper Valley Community. Our school was founded to address the great need of struggling children and youth failing to thrive in public school for various reasons, including special needs, challenging home situations and economic limitations. The schools innovative approach and highly successful programs have helped low-income children and youth acquire a love of learning and the self-determining skills necessary for self-sufficiency, setting them on the path toward higher education. We provide quality education at a fraction of the cost of traditional private school; scholarships are awarded in the hope that no child would be turned away due to financial limitations.

As our school has grown so has our work with the families of our students. We have introduced a variety of services to parents of students and low-income families in the community. Services include: a food bank, classes in parenting and financial budgeting and literacy, and partnerships with state employment retraining services. The School and all of these services have been openly offered for the benefit of the entire Upper Valley Community.

Community Need

The U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, shows that in 2005, nearly 29 million children lived in low-income families. The majority of these children, 15 million, had at least one parent who worked 50 or more weeks of the year. Within the local Upper Valley communities of Vermont and New Hampshire thousands of hard working families find themselves among the ranks of these low-income families. Many live on an economic edge, struggling to provide for basic needs, despite regular employment. These include:

29% of the families of Hartford, VT, 38% of the families of Royalton, VT and
25% of families of Lebanon NH that earn less than twice the federal poverty threshold.
76% of Potter’s House students are from the Hartford VT, Royalton VT, and Lebanon, NH communities

According to the Anne E. Casey Foundation, 42% of low-income working families, and 76% of higher income families have at least one parent with post secondary education. Locally, in Hartford, Vermont, 32% of the residents have degrees in Higher Education, 29% have a High School Degree or equivalency. In neighboring Norwich, 71% have degrees in Higher Education, 7% have a High School Degree or equivalency. The Norwich median income is 56% higher than Hartford. Those who see the correlation of education to earning power, seize it for their children as well. In Hartford, 3% of the children are enrolled in private elementary education and 1% are enrolled in private secondary school education. Again in neighboring Norwich, 7% are enrolled in private elementary school education and 12% in private secondary school education.

In the local community, private secondary school education costs can run yearly from $8,000 to well over $20,000, while extra academic tutoring or summer school can cost hundreds. For low-income families private school education or after-school educational opportunities, while needed, are out of reach, given their limited financial resources. Yet very often low-income youth would benefit most from these services. In the Hartford School District, where there are currently no summer school programs available, 80% of the students who fail English are low-income.

Full tuition for one child at The Potter House ranges from $2,000 - $3,800. Our desire is to create a program that is offered at a price accessible to the broadest possible spectrum of economic levels of the Upper Valley. Scholarships are awarded in the hope that no child would be turned away due to financial limitations.
 

Project Description

The Potter’s House School is pursuing funding to enlarge their present facility that will allow for expansion of their educational services and increase student enrollment.

1. The Sciences @ Work Program: In their focus to prepare students for college and career, they recognize that students must be prepared to work in a world that is increasingly scientific, technical, and highly competitive. The Sciences @ Work program features an interactive math and science laboratory, coupled with a community partnership program. Students will be exposed to advanced math and sciences, in an interactive technology format. Students will have an opportunity to connect with local science and technology based companies, through workplace volunteer mentors and internships.
    

2. Adult Career Development Center:
   The Adult Development Center is designed to offer innovative career development training to adults who are in the midst of transitions, or life-challenges, or are facing extreme barriers to workplace success. The workshop training format has been developed by WorkNet Solutions, a global career development and training organization, with a success rate of over 62%. Adult students involved in the WorkNet program will have opportunities to seek additional academic and career enrichment through the Sciences @ Work program.
    

3. Summer School Program:
   The Potter’s House will make available a Summer School Program to students in the
   Upper Valley. There is no summer school program available to High School students.
    

Partnership

Potter’s House is a member of the National Association of Street Schools (NASS) www.streetschools.com

1. NASS has been selected by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as the only faith-based alternative model to be deemed transferable as part of their Alternative High School Initiative
    

2. Has been recognized in Newsweek’s’ annual write-up of the best high schools
    

3. Was included in the U.S. Department of Education’s Innovation and Education Newsletter
    

4. Recently recognized in Philanthropy Journal for spearheading work in economic literacy.

Their membership with NASS connects them to resources they would not have available otherwise. Wendy Piersee is the Executive Vice President for NASS, she resides in Manchester, NH. Wendy has a passion and enthusiasm for educating at-risk youth and has played a critical role in the development of the Street School Network. Wendy assists them in the development of strategies for funding their programs. She also serves to connect and resource them to the other member schools and to the network of services that NASS offers. Wendy has already provided input and assistance in their grant seeking efforts and she is presently working with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to secure operational funding for a New England Cluster of NASS Member schools available in 2008-2009.

Projected Project Costs

Potter's House School
Projected Operating Budget 2007-2008

Continuation

We have undertaken a capital campaign seeking to raise $1.6 million for the purchase and renovation of an adjacent property. This 1.8 acre property has a 25,000 square foot commercial facility, and 100 parking spaces. In the initial six months of our campaign we have raised $345,000 in three year pledges and $75,000 in a foundation grants for 2008. We are continuing to pursue grants, pledges and major donor gifts toward this campaign. The acquisition of this property will allow us to expand our community outreach programs.

Outreach Programs

Community Youth Development Center ( S.A.Y. Yes!)
These programs focus on academic enrichment and character development. Activities include tutoring, mentoring, basic education achievement, computer training, and entrepreneurial skills.

1. Youth Recreation Center
   There will be 4400 square feet equipped with recreational activities such as darts, pool, music and wide screen TV.
    

2. Food Bank
   This will be an expansion of our ability to serve more families in the Upper Valley. The food bank will offer food, toiletries, and household supplies to 250 families per month needing such assistance.
    

3. The Cornerstone Community Center
   This building uniquely located in the heart of Hartford will become a meeting place for families in the Upper Valley. Approximately 25,000 square feet, with a full service industrial kitchen and reception room complete with dance floor. The space designed for catering large events and can accommodate 300 + people comfortably
   The full service kitchen and adjoining catering facility, will allow us to offer on-the-job training in the food services industry. This on-site facility gives us the ability to offer certification training to those in the Career Development program who an interest in the food services industry. This center would generate approximately $80,000 to $100,000 in income annually.

Projected Project Costs

Purchase Adjacent Property and Facility