Martial Arts & Outdoor Adventure Program INC.
April, 2009
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Re: Letter of Inquiry
Dear Sir or Mme
I am pleased to write to you about a success-driven intervention and prevention project that I believe will be of interest to your organization.
Ger-Don, Inc. is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization seeking funding for its Martial Arts Outdoor Adventure program (MAOAP). MAOAP will provide a much-needed innovative hands-on approach to address the problems facing many of our inner-city youths and other disadvantaged persons. MAOAP will use Martial arts and outdoor adventure programs as a way to develop discipline, confidence, self-control, and to raise the self-esteem level and reduce the stress level of individuals who because of their circumstances, have poor self-images and extreme stress levels.
Physical development or fitness is used to improve the overall health and self-image of our target group as well. Many of these people are victims of all types of abuses imaginable and unimaginable. Some have lost relatives, including parents to the streets. Aids, gang violence, lack of education, unstable home life and all types of negative circumstances have affected the lives of these individuals.
MAOAP currently uses a number of appealing approaches to pique and hold the interest of our targeted population. Such as rock climbing, hiking, fencing, archery, and a number of different water sports as well. MAOAP staff members have used these techniques in many of the successful programs they have worked with for the past 30 plus years. The Connecticut Department of Corrections, the Children’s Study home of Springfield Massachusetts and Valley Human services of Ware Massachusetts and the 
Youth Social Educational Training program ( YSET) of Springfield, MA are some of the service providers that benefited from these approaches. In the very near future, we will be adding a therapy and a food component to the program.
Ger-Don is seeking your support to enable us to have it’s MAOAP running on all cylinders very soon. We critically need funds to launch this needed innovative program, to fund the equipment, and the resources of instructors to oversee and conduct the planed activities. These equipment and support resources will constructively assist the targeted population to be served by our new community service program. The ethnic composition is approximately 45% White, 28% African-American, 27% Hispanic, and 5% Asian-American, and other according to the 2000 U.S. census.
Ger-Don’s MAOAP has been making use of some of the resources of the YSET program of Springfield. We are very thankful to them but their resources are limited and we are growing out of the allotted space. It is necessary for us to move on and expand. We are working very hard now and anticipate receiving grants and donations from private sector sources, banks, foundations, and private donors.
Our program budget is far from what is needed. Cuts in government financing continue, with more expected, especially those affecting our clients with incomes below poverty level.
Undaunted, Ger-Don is an organization committed to excellence, with a clear vision and a passion for delivering outstanding results. We ask you to work with us to capitalize on our growth, strengths, and our potential.
Ger-Don’s MAOAP will serve as a model curriculum for our inner-city neighborhoods throughout the country. A similar program started by Chuck Norris the movie star and Martial arts giant attracted national attention during the 90’s as an innovative prototype for combating the drug problem in Texas and has been successful up to this date. However, that particular program is only in the state of Texas. MAOAP’s mission is similar and will implement programs of this type in Springfield, MA, and planned satellite branches in Middletown, CT Chester, SC and Athens GA.
The challenge at this stage is to seize the opportunity, to take the risk, to realize an innovation, and look forward to a rewarding and productive future. With the strength, insight, and determination that have helped me throughout my many years in human services, the choice is an easy one -- help our community meet the challenges of the 21st Century.
The need for effective prevention, intervention, and education cannot be overstated. The need to stem the tide of crime in our communities is overwhelming and mirrors the needs of most other inner cities. The Martial Arts & Outdoor Adventure program is ready to be launched as a national model for all inner city community organizations everywhere for building a future, uplifting individuals, and creating alternatives to criminal activity.
Thank you for your anticipated support and assistance to Ger-Don’s MAOAP, and the community it serves. We look forward to your consideration of our request and the opportunity to submit a formal proposal for your review. We will be pleased to submit additional information at your request. Please do not hesitate to contact me at (413)204-9330.
Sincerely,
Sufu Hashim
CEO/ Director
Save a child and save the World