The Live Like Jack Fund has made its first grant to Wilderness Leadership & Learning, Inc. (WILL). WILL, a DC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is a twelve-month holistic experiential learning, youth leadership and life skills development program. WILL provides high potential, underperforming 9th – 11th graders with diverse growth experiences and challenging learning opportunities to inspire and assist them to make good decisions, become effective leaders, and achieve their goals. Many of WILL’s experiential learning opportunities are outdoor activities. John (“Jack”) Lawrence Bauer, III (1974-2012) served on the WILL Board of Directors and was passionate about WILL’s mission.
“Jack was so honored to serve on the WILL Board of Directors and he was enthusiastic about the future of WILL. He was passionate about WILL’s mission, and he valued the opportunity to work with Steve Abraham and the WILL Board of Directors. Jack was looking forward to participating in WILL’s growth and expansion. He often talked about how he was excited to help make a difference through WILL. Therefore, I am thrilled that the very first grant the Live Like Jack Fund is making is going to WILL.” -Lauren Bauer
The vision for Wilderness Leadership & Learning (WILL) was conceived by founder and President Steve Abraham during a 2001 National Outdoor Leadership School program. Inspired by his own experience, Steve left his law practice in 2003 to create and lead a program to enhance the educational, leadership and life skills of at-risk DC high school youth.
The WILL curriculum focuses on the following four pillars:
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Leadership & Self-Empowerment. WILL helps teens push beyond perceived limitations and enhances individual leadership potential, self-esteem, self-reliance, and confidence.
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B. Critical Life Skills Development. WILL develops critical life skills, which are under-emphasized or not taught in school, such as understanding and learning techniques for SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time Bound) goal setting, and action plans to achieve one’s goals, providing knowledge and tools to make healthy nutrition decisions, accountability for behavior, financial literacy, and communication skills.
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C. Environmental Awareness & Stewardship. WILL helps teens become aware of the world around them and to be better stewards of the environment.
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D. Cultural Awareness & Appreciation. WILL youth learn to appreciate, respect and be receptive to diverse races, religions, genders, cultures, and perspectives.
WILL’s curriculum is experiential; students learn by doing, and the doing often takes place in the outdoors through, hiking, canoeing, ropes courses, and many other outdoor experiences.
“Every youth who has graduated from WILL has graduated from high school or is on track to graduate. Based on the analysis of the Pre-and Post-WILL surveys completed by 2011-2012 WILL participants, there was statistically significant positive knowledge acquisition in nutrition and environmental awareness and stewardship, and in attitudes and perceptions about themselves, including willingness to take responsibility for their actions, willingness to try new and challenging things, to listen to and work with others to solve problems, to accept different points of view, and in personal feelings of pride. Additionally, 80% of the youth reported that they loved or liked the activities in which they participated and 100% reported learning something new.” – Steve Abraham, WILL Founder and President.
In May of 2012, WILL was chosen for inclusion in the 2012-2013 Catalogue for Philanthropy as one of the finest community-based nonprofits in the Greater Washington region. The Catalogue’s goal is to build networks of engaged donors and great nonprofits who will make a difference. It also provides charities with a stamp of approval that tells donors they can invest with confidence because the Catalogue vets its family of nonprofits with great care.
“Charities were selected for excellence, cost-effectiveness, and impact. These are certainly among the best community-based nonprofits in the Washington region.” – Barbara Harman, President and Editor of the Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington
To learn more about WILL, please visit the website at www.will-lead.org.
The Live Like Jack Fund is a Donor Advised Fund through the Community Foundation of the National Capital Region. The Fund seeks to honor the memory of John Lawrence Bauer (1974-2012) by making grants to 501c3 organizations that motivate kids to become passionate about the outdoors. To learn more about the Fund, please visit the website at www.livelikejack.org.