The Anne F. Bourne Memorial Fund awarded a $5,000 grant to San Miguel Academy in Newburgh, NY to provide outdoor educational programming to underserved students from low-income families. San Miguel Academy is an independent middle school for boys from underserved families. The Academy provides a safe haven for intellectual, emotional and spiritual growth. Students who attend San Miguel Academy are provided academic, personal and family support to reposition themselves for success in their future endeavors.
This grant will assist in laying the groundwork and developing the program between San Miguel Academy and Mohonk Preserve. This program will eventually allow students 15 annual visits to the Preserve where they will perform biological surveys, assess trail damage, and build models of design solutions. According to San Miguel Academy President and Founder Fr. Mark Connell, “These inner-city students learn at a young age to stay inside because the streets are not safe. This project will take these kids to the top of a mountain, where the view is much different.”
Donor Fund Representatives, Wilbur Higgins and John Smith Sr. stated, “The support from the Anne F. Bourne Memorial Fund serves as a critical resource in their ongoing efforts to raise educational awareness and opportunity in the City of Newburgh. Originally, created through a bequest of Anne F. Bourne, this fund provides grants to nonprofit organizations for programs for the spiritual, moral and general improvement of economically disadvantaged residents of the City of Newburgh.
About the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan:
This year, the Community Foundation celebrates 15years of charitable leadership and philanthropy. The Foundation has significantly increased local charitable funds and empowered donors to make a profound difference in the quality of life in our regionwith the creation of over 180 funds that will provide grants and scholarships forever! Since 1999, the Foundation has been an effective steward of the community’s charitable resources and has been a leader in the administration of scholarships, and grant making for the benefit of nonprofit organizations in Orange and Sullivan Counties, and beyond.
Contributions tothe Anne F. Bourne Memorial Fund may be made to CFOS-The Anne F. Bourne Memorial Fund and sent to the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, 30 Scott’s Corners Drive, Suite 202, Montgomery, NY 12549. Secure online donations may also be made at www.cfoc-ny.org. The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All gifts are tax deductible under current tax laws.
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