Dear Blue Jacket Friend and Supporter,
This is a plea for your assistance. Please take five minutes and read below.
Many say that we are at the tip of the spear; where the broken mend and the helpless have confidence restored. We seem to be one of the few nonprofits trying to restore the middle class work ethic, where we hold people accountable and develop them to overcome their past mistakes. Experts say we are far ahead of the curve, in both philosophy and program design. So why are you receiving this letter, and how is it possible we are facing a cash flow shortfall that might make us close our doors by August 2013? Oddly, a financial "perfect storm" occurred, and I am reaching out for your help this one time to partner with us.
The State of Affairs: The board and staff made a bold decision to move away from federal funding in 2011 and to position the organization to be financially self-sufficient long term. The current problem stems from a much higher request for temporary labor through Opportunity Staffing, our in-house staffing enterprise. This is good news because we are getting tons of jobs for tons of people. But this requires a great deal of cash to cover the growth of our temporary personnel's payroll, because employers pay thirty days after we already covered payroll. Typically, we would use income from fundraisers to sustain these operations, but due to logistical reasons, the board moved our signature 2nd Chance Auction from March to October 2013.
Federal funding drifted us from our mission, restricted our clientele base, and bound our focus. Many people's impressions are that we are Federally or State funded, which we are not. In fact, we generate our own income through our enterprising efforts but we also fundraise with the community's support. We have lacked asking you to step in and support us in the past, and we are inviting you now.
The Greatest Impact and the Greatest Need: In 2012, we relocated our operations for staff and client safety into a building just a few blocks up Calhoun Street and are capitalizing on the opportunities all the extra space provides. We are positioned perfectly for our next season; we now operate a professional clothing thrift store, a garden/market, and rent office space to augment our other economic engines and 90% of our focus; the Career Academy training and Opportunity Staffing. After moving away from the plush federal funding, we became frugal and lean. Our infrastructure is well developed, with evaluated programs that have great outcomes, loyal staff, and a dedicated board of directors. This means that a one-time donation lasts for years to come.
Our streets are safer because we have people in careers that they cannot afford to lose if they decide to get behind a wheel drunk again. We have evidence of putting paychecks instead of guns in the hands of former gang members and drug dealers.
We are lying to ourselves if we think that the spike in violence in Fort Wayne is not degrading our economic development potential. Businesses will not locate here or move away if this remains perpetual. So can we afford to not have a Blue Jacket around?
Please Donate to this great mission to help us make it over this short-term hump. Will you give $50, $100 or even $5,000? Less or more would be greatly appreciated. You may donate online at http://www.bluejacketinc.org/support/donate or mail a check to 2826 South Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46807.
Our goal is $50,000. Otherwise, this great organization will not be able to remain open beyond August. But when we make it past August, not only will you continue to see our light shine, but see your donation multiply into thousands of more lives changed.
Thank you for considering this and taking the time to read and support our mission.
Sincerely,
Tony Hudson
Executive Director