Thanks to four heros, I've raised $400 in cash and pledges!

Four lovely folk have risen to the challenge to contribute $100 each to WombWork productions this month.

This is not counting those who contributed last month -- and I appreciate you very much.  I just need 6 more valient ones to make it to my $1000 pledge toward our $30,000 goal.  Won't you help?  Every dollar you give will help one of us get to our goal.  It's a difficult time to raise money, but maybe you've not yet spent your tax refund -- boy, I wish I was getting a refund!!

Maybe you have one dollar or five you can spare -- or maybe it will be a sacrifice.  Whatever you can give, we will appreciate it so much.

So please dig deep and see what you can do to help WombWork accomplish this much needed wellspring of resources that will provide a firm foundation for our efforts over the coming months.

And thank you to everyone who is giving cash, hope, prayers, energy, passing along the requests and doing anything on behalf of WombWork.  All efforts are much appreciated.

It's 30/30 Time! $30,000 in 30 Days

We made a great effort last week raising over $2000 and we, dear readers, accounted for over 25% of it through the Chipin link.  Now the real challenge begins.  Please read this letter from the WombWork Board of Directors and remember that donations made from our Chipin page or the widgit at the right also go directly to WombWork via paypal at WombWork@verizon.net, just like donations from the WombWork.com site.  And all donations are tax deductable, as WombWork is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization (recurring donations can also be made via Network for Good):

Dear Friend,

This letter is sent on behalf of the Board of Directors, staff, parent advisors and youth members of WombWork Productions, Inc.  We are requesting support for the continuance of our summer program, which provides employment and professional performing arts training for young adults and students enrolled in Baltimore City middle and high schools.  The continuance of the summer program will sustain our status as a designated Office of Economic  Development (OED) Youthworks site and will serve to further engage youth in a creative process of confronting critical issues affecting their lives, families, and communities by transforming real life experiences into powerful productions.

We have an ambitious fundraising goal of raising $30,000 in 30 days (from April 1-April 30), which will be used for program staff salaries and fees, youth stipends, along with operational and program costs.  The summer program offers a continuum of services to students who participate in our in-school and after-school programs throughout the school year.  The primary goal of the summer program is to develop professional youth performers and peer leaders who are adept at creating issues-based productions of relevance to young audiences. Our programming helps young people transform fears, anger, confusion, ignorance, and self-discrimination into positive performances that enhance their lives while building character and leadership skills.  Participants receive professional training from seasoned musicians, dancers, actors, and stage/film technicians while gaining hands-on experience in every area of performing arts production and touring.  As we have seen over the years, participants' love of performing as well as being paid for performances are key factors in retaining young people in our programs.

The existing program was conceived as an Artistic Development Initiative with the goal of increasing young people's ability to gain steady work and earn decent income by providing opportunities for them to gain marketable skills, diverse profession experiences, and access to industry sources.  Since 1997, WombWork Productions has employed more than 500 youth in over 350 productions and placed approximately 50 young actors in major films and television programs.  WombWork has served over 4,000 students and has reached an audience of approximately 50,000 people through live performances, productions, and television broadcasts.

The continuance of our summer program will foster citywide efforts to employ, serve, and support young people in becoming productive members of society. Send your contribution via the donation link on our homepage at www.wombwork.com. If you require additional information about WombWork, contact Kay Lawal-Muhammad or Rashida Forman-Bey by phone at (410) 338-0265 or by email at wombwork@verizon.net. We thank you in advance for your financial contribution to this great legacy.  

Sincerely,

Dr. Geraldine Waters

Dr. Geraldine Waters

President, Board of Directors