Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Backcountry Communities Thriving
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: BCT
Mailing Address: PO Box 1705
City: Julian
State: California
Postal Code: 92036
Main Phone: 760-239-7476
Main Fax:
Organization Website: http://bc-ct.org
Employer ID Number: 87-2679329
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)3 / 990

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 10/19/2022
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Eagle Excel and Elevate Program
Project Description:

Backcountry Communities Thriving (BCT) a nonprofit that operates in Julian, California. Julian, California is a small, rural, remote community in the mountains of northeast San Diego County, sixty miles northeast of the city of San Diego. Many who visit come away with the impression of an idyllic mountain retreat. However, looks can be deceiving. In fact, Julian residents and students face multiple challenges, many attributable to rural isolation, poverty, high rates of child abuse, alcohol/drug abuse, and domestic violence.

Although the town of Julian is small, the Julian Union High School District (JUHSD) services a geographic area of more than 600 square miles of mountains and deserts. Included in this geographic area are the impoverished Santa Ysabel and Mesa Grande Reservations as well as students from the desert community of Butterfield Ranch, a recently developed community for the disadvantaged and homeless. Julian High School is small, approximately 100 students with a Title 1 designation. The high school has seen a drop in enrollment of 36% since the 2016-2017 school year with students choosing to attend other comprehensive high schools or charter schools. Reasons for this drop include lack of opportunities both academically and socially and a perceived better education at these other schools. BCT aims to change this with the Eagle Excel and Elevate Program.

The Eagle Excel and Elevate Program’s goals are to provide a variety of educational opportunities to the students in the JUHSD. Our objective is to level the playing field for our students to achieve, increase and expand their educational access to college or trade school, and to improve the future for our students. Due to Julian’s geographic isolation and high poverty levels, many of our students do not get to experience the opportunities that are available in metropolitan areas that will allow them to thrive into adulthood.

The Eagle Excel and Elevate Program will establish educational equity for those living in our rural community through these programs:

Community Mentorship 

Financial Literacy 

College/Career Pathways 

College/Career/Workforce 

Junior Achievement Career Panels 

Junior Achievement Job Shadow Program 

Financial Awards

Total Project Budget: $90,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Private donors and potential grants

Project Duration: 4 years
Geographical Area Served: Julian, CA (San Diego County)
Age Group To Be Served: 14-19 yr

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Kim
Contact Last Name: Simas
Contact Title: Chief Financial Officer
Contact Phone: 760-239-7476
Contact Email: kim@bc-ct.org