Fall '19 Recipient: The BAY

Members of MNGT 411 who visited The BAY present their grant
Members of MNGT 411 who visited The BAY present their grant

The BAY is one of the two organizations selected this semester for a $5,000 grant. The BAY is a non-profit dedicated to 'helping young people dream bigger by providing opportunities, exposure and career pipelines within skateboarding, music and digital art. We're a place to go, something to do and people who care — especially for the misfits among us.' More specifically, the BAY focuses its efforts on benefiting all ages, gender identities, and socioeconomic situations in the Lincoln community with a focus on at-risk and low-income youth, and those experiencing poverty and homelessness.

The BAY intends to use the funds to distribute 150 all-access passes to low-income and at-risk youth in the Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) system. The pass provides access to their indoor skatepark, attendance to any show at their all-ages venue, and access to the digital art space, the Collective. Also, these passes will provide Lincoln youth with positive adult role models and after-school meals five days a week. For many kids, this is their only dependable dinner.

The all-access pass supports the Strive to Thrive Lincoln mission statement of bringing long-term stability and wellness to children and families in need through enrichment and educational opportunities within Lincoln/Lancaster county. In summary, the $5,000 will help tremendously in assisting with the significant costs associated with running the skatepark and its associated programming for the All-Access Pass youth.