Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Real Champions, Inc.
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: "RCI"
Mailing Address: 7596 West Main St.
City: Ridgeland
State: SC
Postal Code: 29936
Main Phone: 843-540-4023
Main Fax:
Organization Website: realchampionsinc.org
Employer ID Number: 81-3956956
Organization Tax Status: 501 c(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/10/23
Requested Amount: 6250

Project Title: Advocate Mentorship
Project Description:

Real Champions, Inc. exists to become trusted advocates for children by establishing long-term relationships that lead them to greater opportunities in life, school, and work. We aim to empower students to escape the cycle of generational poverty in South Carolina through Advocate Mentorship. We provide full-time, professional mentors and volunteer supporters for highly vulnerable children, starting in kindergarten and remaining through high school graduation. Each mentor is carefully partnered with a cohort of eight of the "most vulnerable" kindergarten or first grade students and focus on the five key support systems every young person needs to become a successful adult: emotional, informational, instrumental, companionship, and validation support.

Our innovative model starts earlier, goes deeper, and stays longer than that of a “typical” after-school mentorship program. We seek out the “most vulnerable children”– those who meet multiple of the following criteria: children whose families have lived below the poverty line for at least two generations; children who have at least one incarcerated parent; and children who live in a single-family household or are in the care of DSS. We strategically begin our relationship with these children at the very beginning of their academic career and commit to walk with them until they graduate from high school. Furthermore, because our Advocate Mentors are paid, we are able to ensure that forty hours of their time each week is carefully preserved to make a lasting impact on children’s lives, even during after school hours and on days when school is not in session. The Advocate Mentors also collaborate with the child’s family and other natural support systems, creating "success teams" around each child in their cohort to ensure that the child is well protected and equipped to reach their full potential.

Total Project Budget: 1,214,906

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): We are funded through individuals, grants, and businesses. We currently have 350 individual donors, 6 business partners, and 2 church partners. Additionally, we have received numerous grants from foundations.

Project Duration: 1/1/24-12/31/24
Geographical Area Served: Jasper, Beaufort, Charleston County, SC
Age Group To Be Served: 5-12 years old

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mrs
Contact First Name: Megan
Contact Last Name: Tice
Contact Title: Director of Marketing and Development
Contact Phone: 336-402-4592
Contact Email: development@realchampionsinc.org