Passion speaks to us.
Passion inspires.
Passion uplifts.
Passion changes lives.
The word passion comes to mind when we think about our two most recent grantees: The EJS Project and Bound For College.
Both Delray Beach non-profits were founded by passionate visionaries who want to change their corner of the world by providing opportunities to young people who need a hand up, not a handout.
The energy, commitment, and dedication of EJS founder Emmanuel “Dupree” Jackson and Bound for College founder Mark Sauer resonated with the board of the Carl Angus DeSantis Foundation.
Those attributes describe our founder, Carl DeSantis and that’s why are proud to invest in two organizations that promise to change lives.
Bound For College makes college possible for students who cannot afford the high cost of higher education. In many cases, the students they assist are the first people in their families to go to college. Many are the children of immigrants who came to America so that their children can have better lives.
To quote Executive Director Dr. Shannon Solis: “Imagine walking onto a college campus for the very first time, eyes wide with wonder and endless possibility. Imagine the moment when you realize that you can be anything, do anything, and accomplish everything. Imagine the humility and pride the first-generation college student feels as they work to break the cycle of poverty from which they came. Can you see her? The soon-to-be nurse who could one day be working at your local hospital. Can you picture him? The future engineer whose ground-breaking discovery could drastically impact climate change in Florida.”
We share that dream Dr. Solis and we are honored to help.
Bound For College is so much more than a charity that offers college scholarships. The non-profit gets involved in every step of the process, helping students raise their grades with tutoring and offering help with soft skills such as interviewing. Bound For College takes students on college tours and for many, if not most, it’s the first time they’ve ever stepped foot on a college campus.
We’ve been watching founder Mark Sauer for years now and we’re touched by how deeply he cares about our children, and how devoted he is to making sure they’re able to pursue their dreams and succeed once they go to college.
Same goes for “Dupree” Jackson, a young leader who grew up on the streets of Delray, went away to college and came home with a goal of building a better future for others like him.
The EJS Project offers leadership training, internship experiences and counseling. They are busy creating tomorrow’s leaders—a mission we wholeheartedly embrace.
We are proud to support these important community organizations. We share the goal of building a better world and a brighter future for all.
We urge you to check out Bound For College https://weareboundforcollege.org/ and the EJS Project https://ejsproject.org/
