Ratify Application for and Authorize Receipt of, if Awarded, Funds in an Amount Up to $75,000.00 from Rainwater Foundation, the Sid W. Richardson Foundation, Ernst & Young, Wal-Mart Community Foundation, Texas Health Resources, Fort Worth Independent School District, Crowley Independent School District, Tarrant County College District and Other Organizations for the Community Action Partners' Rising Stars Youth Leadership Academy and Adopt Appropriation Ordinance (ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS)

It is recommended that the City Council:

1. Ratify the application for and authorize receipt of, if awarded, funds in the amount up to $75,000.00 from Rainwater Foundation, the Sid W. Richardson Foundation, Ernst & Young, Wal-Mart Community Foundation, Texas Health Resources, Fort Worth Independent School District, Crowley Independent School District, Tarrant County College District, and other organizations for the Community Action Partners' Rising Stars Youth Leadership Academy; and

2. Adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Fund in the amount of $75,000.00, subject to receipt of the grants.

The purpose of this Mayor and Council Communication is to ratify the applications to various foundations to assist in funding the Neighborhood Services Department's Rising Stars Youth Leadership Academy which is administered by the Community Action Partners Program. If awarded, the funds will be used to offset the cost of registration fees, educational field trips, educational programs, certifications, supplies and transportation for youth who are enrolled in the program. The amounts that will be requested are $30,000.00 from Rainwater Foundation, $15,000.00 from the Sid W. Richardson Foundation, $5,000.00 from Ernst & Young, $2,500.00 from Texas Health Resources, $1,000.00 from Amy Witherite, $1,500.00 from the Fort Worth Independent School District, $1,500.00 from Everman Independent School District, $3,000.00 from Tarrant County College District, and various amounts from other organizations.

The goal of the program is to provide youth ages 13-18 exposure to businesses, agencies and civic groups in order to gain a positive perspective on what their future can hold and make them more effective citizens of our cities, county and country. It is meant to increase educational competence, physical and social development and increase life skills and character development. Topics that will be addressed are public speaking, working in media, nutrition and fine dining etiquette, money management, setting and achieving goals, fitness and wellness, dressing for success, peer pressure and bullying, dangers of drugs and alcohol and attending college or secondary training.

These funds are designated solely for the support of the Rising Stars Leadership Academy and are not eligible for indirect costs.

The Rising Stars Youth Leadership Initiative participants are from ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS.

This M&C does not request approval of a contract with a business entity.