“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact; it is an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration; it is a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”-Laila Ali
Here at the Pink Elephant Foundation, we believe that every success is birthed from, simply, an idea. Each youth recognizes the definition, no matter how embellished, of success. From here, it becomes our duty to ensure that idea is turned into a realistic goal, and that goal is reached. We take full responsibility in equipping these youths with the confidence, knowledge, and tools to becoming a successful and knowledgeable individual. The Pink Elephant Foundation successfully creates a comfortable environment that will encourage twenty unfortunate youth, both male and female, of the city of Detroit that pose a potential threat to our community, to reach their full potential and become the individuals that change the world. We refer to these youth as Pink Elephants; they are the matter that our community observes but does not address. We assemble our cohesive group of youths by various means; the Detroit Public School System, the Juvenile Court System, and numerous other youth care facilities that aim to address the same matters we do. Our foundation consists of an obligatory six year program that will, beyond doubt, assist in these youth in becoming better students and better people. Beginning the program at age eleven and completing at seventeen, prepares the Pink Elephants for life on their own. At the conclusion of each ‘parade’[1] , the foundation restarts and continues with the same program with the appropriate program adjustments made, if any.
The Pink Elephant Foundation offers numerous programs, projects, and services that will not only contribute to the success of these selected twenty youths, but will also contribute in the restoring of the city of Detroit; including community service, life coaching, medical and psychological assessment, and safe housing. These efforts will aid in the economic development of our dilapidated city by improving the literacy rates and reducing the juvenile crime rate. Our foundation implements a demanding curriculum that serves as a constructive utilization of “free time” and simultaneously coaches them to become responsible young adults by becoming skilled in time management. While our program is demanding, we feel it is essential in order to have a strong influence in the lives of these youths and we aim to create an environment where they will want to be continually while learning. Our program is equipped with the appropriate licensing and contractual agreements that grant us the opportunity to assist these youth by any means necessary. Our safe house facility temporarily accommodates those who do not feel safe in their home and situate them in our safe and welcoming facility. We have vehicles available to transport the Pink Elephants from their home or school if they are in danger or if their parent or guardian is not able to transport them to complete their daily activities; this will ensure the efficiency of our foundation and its programs. Our facility contains all activities, programs, projects, and services that are to take place pertaining to our foundation, including the safe housing and offices for all staff. All travel necessary to transport the Pink Elephants to and from school, or to a given program will be provided through the foundation.
Our community plays a large part in our success as a foundation, as well as in the growth and development of our youth. Our non-profit organization gives our community the opportunity to aid in the development of our city and its youth. Hosting numerous fundraisers and performing acts of community service will give the Pink Elephants the opportunity to show their gratitude. Should our dissolution occur, all remaining exempt assets shall be disbursed within our community to further assist in its development.
New programs, projects, or services have the possibility of being integrated with the foundation if proven to be advantageous in our efforts of aiding these youths. We have a qualified and skilled staff working with these youths who not only have experience in working with at-risk and disadvantage youth, but also possess the genuine passion for helping those in need and take a great deal of pride in their profession. We perform a complete background check on all staff involved with the Pink Elephant Foundation in order to make certain that our Pink Elephants are only surrounded with a loyal and supportive environment. We are confident that there are no other foundations in metropolitan Detroit that offer the programs, services, or projects the PEF does with such a comfortable and inviting environment. The youths that are involved require attention and a family environment and the Pink Elephant Foundation will provide that setting.
We believe in viewing our community as an encouragement to thrive, rather than an impoverished and treacherous environment. With this positive outlook, the Pink Elephants will become empowered in the maturation of themselves, and optimistic in selecting an alternative method of success. Executed as envisioned, the Pink Elephant Foundation will significantly alter the lives of numerous youth and their families, which in turn will revolutionize the growth of the entire city of Detroit.
[1] A group of elephants is identified as a parade.