Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

---

Organization Name: VOLUNTEERS FOR YOUTH JUSTICE
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 900 Jordan Street, Suite 102
City: Shreveport
State: LA
Postal Code: 71101
Main Phone: 3184254413
Main Fax: 318-227-0208
Organization Website: vyjla.org
Employer ID Number: 72-1057695
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)3

Proposal Information

---

Today’s Date: March 17, 2025
Requested Amount: 10,000

Project Title: Education Intervention for at-risk Children
Project Description:

The K-5 Truancy Program (TASC) tackles chronic absenteeism in Caddo Parish, ensuring young students stay in school, build essential skills, and thrive academically. Early intervention is critical—elementary school lays the foundation for future success, yet excessive absences disrupt learning, leading to academic struggles, disengagement, and increased dropout rates.

TASC goes beyond attendance tracking; we address the root causes of absenteeism. Poverty, transportation challenges, and limited access to resources can all prevent a child from getting to school. When students miss the foundational building blocks of education, they struggle with reading and writing, often spiraling them to disengage or exhibit behavioral issues. Our team works to remove these barriers by fostering a supportive school environment, connecting families to essential services like uniforms, food, tutoring, and counseling.

TASC Attendance Specialists partner with schools to monitor attendance, identify patterns of chronic absenteeism, and intervene early. At five unexcused absences, families receive outreach emphasizing the importance of attendance. At ten unexcused absences, we facilitate in-school meetings with parents to implement personalized support, such as counseling, tutoring, or parenting classes.

Our team works closely with families to uncover and address the deeper issues behind absenteeism—whether it’s academic struggles, bullying, family instability, or health concerns. By building strong connections between families and schools, TASC creates lasting change, reducing truancy and ensuring students advance successfully year after year.

Total Project Budget: 656,496

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Community Foundation of Northwest Louisiana $200,00; Willis Knighton Hospital $10,000

Project Duration: While the program is an ongoing one, our fiscal year is July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026
Geographical Area Served: Northwest Louisiana
Age Group To Be Served: Elementary children K-5

Contact Information

---

Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mrs.
Contact First Name: Esther
Contact Last Name: Pannebaker
Contact Title: Grant Administrator
Contact Phone: 3184254413
Contact Email: esther.pannebaker@vyjla.org