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BHS juniors ask Bayonne board to back ALMS fundraiser, propose scholarships and food-security goals
Summary
Two Bayonne High School juniors presented ALMS's fundraising plan to the Bayonne School District board, saying the nonprofit has secured over $732,000 in grants and proposing scholarships, volunteer programs and food-security support for local students and families.
At an open workshop of the Bayonne School District board, Bayonne High School juniors Estina and Okin presented a proposal from ALMS, saying the nonprofit has secured "over $732,000 in state and federal grants" and aims to provide scholarships and food support for Bayonne students and families.
The students identified the group in the meeting as "ALMS," reported during the presentation as the Association for Learn Mentoring Services and described ALMS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has partnered with organizations the students named as United Way, Columbia University, New York University, Rutgers and AmeriCorps. "It is the association for learn mentoring services," one presenter said during the brief presentation.
Estina said ALMS "has secured over $732,000 in state and federal grants" and "achieved 501c3 nonprofit status," and the pair outlined program goals they said would target Bayonne students and families. The presenters described a proposed Good Samaritan scholarship for Bayonne High School seniors, saying the program would award 10 scholarships a year with an aspiration this year to award 20. "They proposed to serve 150 plus Bayon students through leadership development programs," the students said, and they listed targets that included 50-plus intergenerational volunteer opportunities monthly and food security support for "100 plus Bayon families." These figures were presented by the students as program goals and were not independently verified at the meeting.
To raise funds for the scholarships and community programs, the students proposed several tactics: selling glow-in-the-dark glasses at a Friday tailgate event; a district-wide dress-down day suggested by a board member they referred to as "Mr. N"; charity car washes and games; donations from board members; and a public fundraising-goal display in front of Bayonne High School to track progress. The presenters asked that, should funds be raised, board members be invited to present a donation check to the organization's founder as recognition of the community effort. Applause followed the presentation.
No formal action or vote on the proposal was recorded during the open workshop. The board closed the open workshop and moved to executive session; next steps for ALMS's request were not specified in the public portion of the meeting.
