THE ORANGE DUFFEL BAG INITIATIVE INC
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Mission Statement
The mission of The Orange Duffel Bag Initiative (ODBI), a 501c3 public charity, is to provide high school and college students, who are homeless, in foster care, or experiencing high poverty, coaching programs and ongoing advocacy to improve their education outcomes; support to their caring adults; and service to the community in a spirit of offering hope.
About This Cause
Over the last 10 years, more than 1,300 students in need, of diverse races, ethnicities, cultures, gender identities, and disabilities, have graduated ODBI coaching programs. Working in concert with organizations who share our goals for social justice and systemic change, ODBI helps our most vulnerable students improve self-awareness, connect with caring adults and community resources, overcome social and economic barriers, explore career choices, and create a plan for and pursue education—the surest pathway out of poverty toward a life of economic equity. ODBI trauma-informed coaching programs, led by professional executive-level life coaches, support social/emotional learning, the process through which young adults in need acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, feel and show empathy for others, and make responsible decisions. During the transformational change process experienced throughout the course, students achieve SMART goals, align their aptitudes and talents to education and career possibilities, and create a comprehensive education/life plan. Each high school program graduate earns a laptop, bridging the digital divide. Each college program grad earns a $200 scholarship check. ODBI Coaching Programs are always at no cost to participants. ODBI curricula is based on the 7 Rules for the Road found in Sam Bracken’s “My Orange Duffel Bag: A Journey to Radical Change,” his award-winning account of overcoming barriers and embracing education as a homeless teen. ODBI is proud recipient of Emory University’s Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award and the Tommy Nobis Center Nobis Award for Most Innovative Programs. ODBI programs are Georgia Department of Public Health Independent Review Board (IRB) approved. Eight years of audited financials show 85¢+ of each donated dollar goes to student programs. ODBI key partners include United Way of Greater Atlanta; GA Department of Human Resources; Georgia Youth Opportunities Initiative; Together Georgia; Atlanta Foundation, The nsoro Foundation; Noblin Foundation, Primerica Foundation, JE Dunn; county homeless liaisons and Georgia group homes. Together with our partners and key investors, ODBI is making a human investment in the lives of GA's most vulnerable students—positively impacting education achievement and economic development!