Community Tampa Bay Received a $100,000 Gift to Further Its Efforts in Empowering Youth Through Its Evidence-Proven ANYTOWN® Summer Program
October 25, 2021 (Clearwater, Fla.) – Community Tampa Bay, a Clearwater-based nonprofit, has received a $100,000 gift from United Services Automobile Association (USAA) to expand its signature youth education program ANYTOWN® to Pasco County students. The funding will allow 60 Pasco County School students to participate in ANYTOWN® free of charge.
ANYTOWN® is a nationally recognized, evidence-proven leadership and social justice program for youth ages 14-18. The program is designed to educate, liberate, and empower youth to become responsible leaders and community builders. Over the course of 5 days, students learn how to efficiently discuss social-justice topics in a way that stimulates proactive dialogue and encourages mutual respect. ANYTOWN® is focused on leading the conversation around ten social identities – race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, ability, faith, and age, explaining the importance of treating every individual with dignity and respect.
“We feel so blessed with this incredible opportunity to bring ANYTOWN® back to Pasco County,” said Tammy Briant Spratling, CEO, Community Tampa Bay. “Expanding the reach of our residential summer camp plays a crucial role in bringing together students of different cultures, faiths, and other social groupings to cultivate inclusive and welcoming community for everybody.” Added Spratling.
Over the past ten years, Community Tampa Bay has been working with Michigan State University to statistically validate the impact of the summer camp on attendees. 78.9% of ANYTOWN® graduates reported having more friends whose background differed from their own upon the program completion, while 71.3% experienced positive identity development. The tangible results prove that the program works and brings tremendous benefits to youth who are still developing their sense of self and the communities in which they navigate.
“USAA is always excited to help organizations who make positive change to the community they serve,” said INSERT USAA POINT OF CONTACT. “Community Tampa Bay is a wonderful agent of change in the Tampa Bay region, and we believe that they can assist hundreds of children to build communities based on inclusivity, respect, and understanding.” added INSERT USAA POINT OF CONTACT.
About Community Tampa Bay
Community Tampa Bay is a non-profit organization that envisions a community free of all forms of discrimination in which every individual is treated with dignity and respect, with regard to their race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, ability, faith, and or age. Community Tampa Bay works towards the ambitious vision of cultivating inclusive leaders to change communities through dialogue and cross-cultural interactions, empowering individuals to build relationships based on understanding and mutual respect.
About USAA
Founded in 1922 by a group of military officers, USAA is among the leading providers of insurance, banking, and investment and retirement solutions to 13 million members of the U.S. military, veterans who have honorably served their families. Headquartered in San Antonio, USAA has offices in seven U.S. cities and three overseas locations and employs more than 35,000 people worldwide. Each year, the company contributes to national and local nonprofits in support of military families and communities where employees live and work.
