Page 12 - BusinessWest November 24, 2021

I FOUND LIGHT AGAINST ALL ODDS/
I FOUND LIGHT AGAINST ALL ODDS LIGHTHOUSE
1380 Main St., Suite 423 Springfield, MA 01103 Phone: (413) 505-4629 www.ifoundlight.com CEO/Founder: Stefan Davis
MISSION STATEMENT
I Found Light Against All Odds
is a nonprofit organization established in 2016. It allows community, youth, and families to share the challenges they have faced during their lives while inspiring others to never give up hope and see that there is light after darkness. We provide high- risk youth and families with tools and opportunities to break the cycle of poverty, desperation, and dependence that dominates their lives, enabling them to become contributing members of our community.
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO
I Found Light Against All Odds is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping today’s youth address social, emotional, and economic issues they are experiencing in their lives. We are a resource to those who are going through difficult times and provide them with guidance. We truly feel that we can make a difference in the lives of our youth that do not see the light.
In addition, we are in the development stage of the I Found Light Against All Odds Lighthouse project, which will support homeless teen girls in the area. The vision of The IFLAAO Lighthouse is to create a unique transitional home for teenage girls while providing a variety of resources to the residents and assist in the development of self-sufficiency and independent living. I Found Light Against All Odds’ overall goal is to create a safe, stable, and nurturing home-like environment for Hampden County’s homeless teenage females, while providing supportive resources such as:
• Individualized trauma-informed care;
• Education counseling and coaching;
• Assistance with employment opportunities;
• Reinforcement of effective daily-living skills;
• Administration of health and well-being support;
• Skill development for financial literacy; and
• Creation of a robust ‘transition plan’ for each individual as they move on with their next steps
in life
We are fortunate to have individuals in the community who are supporting and actively involved
in our Lighthouse project under the leadership of the organization’s founder, Stefan Davis.
UPCOMING EVENTS
I Found Light Against All Odds relies on community support and fundraisers to assist with the various opportunities, resources, and assistance needed by the at-risk youth population in our community. Our annual golf tournament and various campaigns have benefited our organization in many ways and have also contributed to our scholarships and awards program.
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
There are several ways to give, including:
• Gifts of cash. The simplest way to make a gift is to contribute cash.
• Legacy and planned gifts.
• Matching gifts. Many corporations and local businesses have matching-gift programs in which the company may match an employee’s gift to a charitable organization of their choosing.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
There are many ways in which you can volunteer your time and assist the organization. Individuals can donate their time and talents during the planning of our golf tournament, scholarship and awards ceremony, and holiday donation events. We also look for individuals and businesses that would have an interest in providing resources and opportunities to the youth we serve.
Sponsored by:
Monson Savings Bank
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Gerry Allen
Claire Clini Donna Easton-Vicalvi Jonathan Golding Richard Green Michael Jablonski Lisa Lombardi Dan Moriarty Catherine Rioux Kim Sanborn Jeff Sullivan
36
NOVEMBER 2021
GIVING GUIDE
/HEALTHCARENEWS
BusinessWest