By Natasha Baker | Development Volunteer
Hello GlobalGiving community. Happy New Year! Feliz Ano Novo!
Today's report is a special one because it is the last one. Don't worry: the Sustainable Culinary School is not going anywhere. It will continue to provide lifechanging mental health and education support for its students, helping them launch careers and businesses in the food and hospitality sectors. It will continue to expand through its catering arm (Giardino Buffet). But since we have successfully fundraised for this project, we are going to turn our attention to a new project we can't wait to tell you more about: the Yes to Life (Sim à Vida) Anti-Drug program for children. Yes to Life is a vital program making sure that low-income youth in some of Fortaleza's most dangerous neighborhoods have a safe place to be outside of school hours. School is only part-time, leaving many hours each day where youth are out of school and at risk of getting involved in street life. Yes to Life provides a structured and safe environment with activities and food to keep kids on the right track. We hope you will continue to be a Mental Health Movement supporter by supporting Yes to Life!
As for the Sustainable Culinary School, we rounded out 2023 with a bang.
And these successes are not just numbers. Iranilda graduated from the Sustainable Culinary School and launched her own business called Doçuras da Loira (Sweets of the Blonde Lady). She shares:
"I was looking for a job I could do from home because I didn't have anyone whom I could leave my son with, until I learned about the free classes the Mental Health Movement was offering. That's when I saw a window of opportunity. I started and dedicated myself completely. Before I knew it, I was starting my own business, working for myself, and it was really rewarding."
Thank you for changing the course of Iranilda and her son's lives for the better. This is the magic your donations make possible!
Wishing all of you a very peaceful and prosperous 2024.
Muito obrigada,
Natasha (Development Volunteer)
Mitakuye Oyasin
Îandé Memé Maranongara
Somos Todos Parentes
We Are All Related
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