Saigh Foundation Impressed

Two representatives from the Saigh Foundation came to UrbanFUTURE today to meet our Team Leaders and learn more about our work. Upon awarding UrbanFUTURE $10,000 to help fund a Team Leader salary in January, JoAnn Hejna and Mary Kemp told us how impressed they were with UrbanFUTURE. They couldn't believe they had never heard of us based on the success we were having nor were they aware of another organization in St. Louis that was doing anything nearly as deep and narrow as Restoration. JoAnn and Mary saw our parent leadership piece as not only unique, but also crucial to really creating lasting change.

During the visit, Mary and JoAnn asked questions about our history, how we train volunteers, what made us different and how we deal with parents who aren't ready to engage. They had a chance to meet and talk to a few students at Mann Elementary and were given a tour of the UrbanFUTURE room by a 4th grade student. They saw the students' excitement when talking about their mentors and tutors and noted how eager the kids were to interact with UrbanFUTURE staff.

After going to Mann, we went for lunch at Cafe Natasha's. JoAnn shared stories about Fred Saigh and his random acts of philanthropy.. She noted how he didn't care who you were, if you needed help he would find a way to give it to you without a second thought. For JoAnn and the Saigh Foundation, it makes grant-making much easier knowing that Fred wouldn't bat an eye at any organization in need. She said she knew Fred would think highly of UrbanFUTURE's vision to help urban youth see and believe in their possibilities.

As Frank Van Bree, UrbanFUTURE's CEO, shared more about his own history with UrbanFUTURE, JoAnn and Mary could feel the underlying passion that exists in UrbanFUTURE, and how it permeates from the top. They urged us to get the word out about UrbanFUTURE and even opened the door for future funding opportunities. Most of all, JoAnn and Mary see that Restoration will work and UrbanFUTURE will succeed, but it will take persistence and patience. Let's prove them right!