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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinal - Final Oshkosh ARPA Grant2.PROGRAM/PROJECT APPROACH Briefly describe the program/project you are requesting funds for. ●a)Describe the need for your program/project. ●d)Is this a new,existing,or changed program? ●f)Who will benefit and how? ●h)How many individuals/families will be served by this program/project? ●l)If existing,describe measurable impact has the program achieved to date (with examples)Success looks like: Operation DREAM North is a community-based organization established by Rodney Bourrage in 2023.It is inspired by Rodney Bourrage’s first organization,Operation DREAM,which he founded in 2007 to support at-risk black male youth in the Milwaukee area.The idea was birthed not only from his own life experience,needing greater mentorship himself as a young male,but also from voids he saw as a teacher,coach,and mentor.To his surprise,Operation DREAM North was impactful -many students regained their commitment to schooling,found needed support and mentorship in the program,and went on to attain unexpected career successes. This gained significant recognition from institutions such as Bader,Bradley,Forest County Potawatomi,Soref,Posner,Harley-Davidson,Milwaukee Bucks,Milwaukee Admirals,Baird, and others.Noteworthy figures like Green Bay Packer player Aaron Rodgers also lent their attention to the organization,amplifying its impact. Upon retiring to Oshkosh in 2020,Rodney Bourrage was surprised at the need for support here as well.While not all vulnerable youth in the Oshkosh area are minorities,he noticed a predictable linkage.According to the Oshkosh Racial Discipline Disparities report,in 2021-2022, high school students identified as Black/Hispanic/Two or More Races were expelled at a rate of 1.7%,9 times the rate of White students (.19%).In 2021-2022,Black high school students alone were expelled at a rate of 4.6%,24 times the rate of White students (.19%).According to qualitative data in the report,black and brown families expressed that this disproportionate disciplinary action was entirely racially motivated.There is a sentiment that all the "good" Black/Brown kids are living in Appleton and Fond du Lac.This type of experience can lead to feelings of exclusion,alienation,and resentment toward education among vulnerable youth in Oshkosh.At Oshkosh North,33.5%are minorities and 48%are economically disadvantaged. While 19.9%are minorities and 27%are economically disadvantaged at Oshkosh West.To prevent these students from being discouraged from academic success or lost along the journey toward success. This led to the creation of Operation DREAM North in 2023.Inspired by the programmatic pillars of Operation DREAM,Operation DREAM North will have a Saturday Youth Development program and will hold Juneteenth each year as a way to welcome diversity in the community.It will also lead with similar core values of self-discipline,respect,education,gratitude,and mentorship.Operation DREAM North has filed and pending 501(c)3 status. The two flagship programs will be: 1 Culture &Community:Annually,Operation DREAM North holds the Juneteenth celebration in Oshkosh.Juneteenth is a full-day event,bringing Oshkosh and the Fox Valley together to celebrate Black culture through food,music,cultural dance,educational activities,and activity. Juneteenth is a way for Operation DREAM North to continue supporting and celebrating the Black community.Operation DREAM North also honors Martin Luther King Jr.Day and Black History Month.In its first year in 2023,Juneteenth was attended by 250 Oshkosh residents, which was a mark of success for Operation DREAM North. Youth Development Saturday Program:This program was first created in Milwaukee for at-risk black male youth.However,this Youth Development program will be open to all youth, grades k-12 on Saturdays.It will have an academic support focus during the school year,and offer field trips during the summer.Provided there are funds,the program will support free transportation.During Rodney’s direction of Operation DREAM,the program supported at least 100 students annually.Within the Youth Development Program on Saturdays,Operation DREAM North will have two foci: Academic Year Program (AYP):AYP is a Saturday program that gives additional support for literacy and academic success to students kindergarten through 8th grade. This weekend programming is designed to fill the gaps for youth development,assisting schools and families. Go Forward to Work:This program introduces the basics of work,employment,and self-sufficiency for 6-12th graders.The training prepares students for careers through job exposure,work experience,and mentorship.Objectives of the program include the formation of short-and long-term career goals.Additionally,the program requires (and promotes)high school graduation,healthy relationships,and good citizenship.In the past,Rodney Bourrage,Founder,has operated programs that supported 40 youth with employment efforts. Operation DREAM North aims to establish a program that can welcome and support 50-100 students initially.It aims to benefit at least 250 or more attendees by Juneteenth in 2024. ●c)Describe your level of collaboration with other agencies on this project. ●b)Identify any other organizations in Oshkosh that address this need. ●i)How will you prevent the duplication of benefits to end users? ●j)For existing programs:How many people were served during the last program year?How many were from the City of Oshkosh? The Oshkosh Boys &Girls Club and YMCA are excellent community pillars,offering night and weekend support,summer programming,career readiness,and sometimes transportation -all things that it stands by.However,the YMCA requires a membership and the Boys &Girls Club does not operate on Saturdays.Operation DREAM North also seeks to be a resource for on-call mentoring,advice,and support.In the future,Operation DREAM North would like to collaborate with the Boys &Girls Club in some way,as it was created to fill the need for weekend programming. 2 In 2023,Operation DREAM North created the first official Juneteenth BGOSH event at the Leach Amphitheater in downtown Oshkosh,Wisconsin.Operation DREAM North collaborated with city officials,law enforcement,the YMCA,and the public to create this event.This event, attended by 250 people,featured informational content,entertainment,vendors,cultural dance, and more.Given that neighboring cities have larger Juneteenth celebrations,filling this void was important for Oshkosh. In December of 2023,Operation DREAM North collaborated with The Oshkosh Fire Department and Chief Stanley and Oshkosh Area School District to do a toy give away to marginalized families and students at Merril and Read elementary schools.Operation DREAM North gave away over 500 toys to both schools combined,serving about 80 families or roughly 200 children.The events were recorded in photos and testimonials. ●e)Specifically,what will you use ARPA funds for? ●i)How will these funds help you respond to,or recover from COVID-19? American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)funding is fit for Operation DREAM North’s request for initial one-time capital expenses that will help get started and launched.Operation DREAM North was created to add value to the city of Oshkosh to help it rebound after COVID,as marginalized families have been disproportionately destabilized as a result of the pandemic.Operation DREAM North will help to mitigate social determinants that can lead to worse health outcomes and poor communities in the long-term.Operation DREAM North has not previously applied for, used,or received ARPA funds.The funds will be used by the end of the 2024 fiscal year. 2.PROJECT OUTCOMES a)If this is a continuing activity,describe a measurable outcome of your previous year's work regardless of funding source. b)Describe two anticipated measurable outcomes for your proposed project/program. In 2024 Operation DREAM North will measure the success of Juneteenth BGOSH introduction celebration through attendance,media exposure,non-profit collaborations,and business sponsorships.The celebration aims to foster community and cultural competency.It hopes to increase its 2024 from 2023 of 250 people. It will also aim to establish its Youth Development program.Success will look like establishing a location,adding a Program Director,and welcoming up to 50 students in the fall. In 2025,Operation DREAM North will seek to measure Youth Development program success with before and after school attendance and academic proficiency from report cards.Operation DREAM North will also seek feedback to know if the program is improving the wellbeing and psychosocial support of its program participants. Operation DREAM North will do this through the use of attendance records,before and after surveys with report cards,and testimonials/narratives.Operation DREAM North aims to start low in its first two years,with an aim to grow gradually but impactfully overtime. 3 c)Describe (if applicable)how proposed use of funds may achieve sustainability objectives as described in the City’s Sustainability Plan. N/A d)Describe (if applicable)how project and proposed use of funds will benefit underrepresented or marginalized individuals/groups,and/or achieve objectives contained in the City’s Diversity,Equity and Inclusion Plan. From our understanding,the mission of the Diversity,Equity,and Inclusion (DEI)Committee is to create a more welcoming,connected,and equitable Oshkosh by consciously including the richness and complexities of marginalized voices in its planning and function. Oshkosh is still inequitable and for racial minorities,both within the community and education structures;it’s clear to racial minorities that already established organizations working toward the city's DEI goals are not sufficient to achieve Oshkosh’s DEI goals (i.e.community outreach, barriers,engagement,and resources)alone. Operation DREAM North aims to add to the community and fill some remaining gaps;in this way Operation DREAM North has a community outreach strategy that both adds and pairs well with existing strategies in the community.Operation DREAM North can help Oshkosh with community outreach and engagement,by being a local partner and DEI-related event host. Primarily,this organization aids with health and economic mobility among minority youth and families -particularly mental health and economic mobility.Operation DREAM North also gives Oshkosh the opportunity to engage a new local organization with DEI initiatives.Thus,within the outlined Oshkosh DEI goals,the support for Operation DREAM North becomes clear. 3.DESCRIBE THE AGENCY'S AUDITING AND FISCAL CONTROLS a)Briefly describe your agency's fiscal oversight /internal controls to minimize opportunities for fraud,waste and mismanagement. Operation DREAM North has not had any audits yet,as it’s in its early stages.However,it works with an accounting firm that reviews its books and monthly board of director meetings to review all use of funds and expenses b)How does your agency plan to segregate ARPA funds from other agency funds for purposes of identification,tracking,reporting and audit? Operation DREAM North will keep monthly reports.It plans to have an annual audit and financial review for 2024 and beyond,as well.This will be presented and made public in a 2024 Annual Report. 4.CONTINGENCY PLAN a)If your grant request is not fully funded,what adjustments are you prepared to make? 4 If Operation DREAM North cannot fund its entire program through this grant,it plans to get started with the Youth Development Program and will aim to raise funds for Juneteenth through other grants and private donors.However,it will need baseline funding (ability to hire full time staff to run the program plus program costs)for the Youth Development Program by the fall to run ethically.In a worst case scenario,Operation DREAM North could postpone its operation, continue to raise funds,and fully open its Youth Development Program in 2025. 5.PROJECT BUDGET ●a)Briefly explain project revenues and expenses related to this proposal.This should match with the Budget Overview sheet. ●b)Be specific about how ARPA dollars would be spent. ●c)Provide details about how funds would be used by December 31,2024. This funding is for starting and establish Operation DREAM North,i.e.Oshkosh Juneteenth 2024 and Youth Development Program.We aim to provide essential services for youth,collaborating with schools and families to enhance academic,social,and emotional learning,along with extracurricular activities.Our goal is to offer alternatives to negative influences and support personal development.Our strategy involves vocational training and building relationships with employers.ARPA funding will establish our operations.We offer transportation,food,and support for positive engagement.We organize educational outings,partnering with local businesses and community organizations. 5 6 Item Proposed Budget SALARIES Executive Director $78,000 Fund Development $38,000 Office Manager $36,000 Program Director $18,000 Mentors (3)$14,688 CAPACITY Occupancy $9,600 Professional Development $4,800 Marketing/Printing $4,340 Office Supplies $2,650 Insurance $1,750 Website &Domain $500 COMMUNITY PROGRAMS Juneteenth BGOSH $19,600 Youth Development Programs $62,480 Venue $10,800 Go Forward To Work $30,000 Academic Year Program $21,680 Field Trips $5,600 Food $4,800 Transportation $7,600 Supplies $3,680 TOTAL EXPENSES Total Operating $352,888 Donations/Self-Funding $77,000 Proposed ARPA Funds Requested $275,888