in 2017, we grew…
We formed new partnerships, reached new communities, launched new programs and celebrated another year of service. Our team grew stronger as we welcomed new ambassadors in training, enlisted new volunteers & Shelvee Casey-Thompson joined us as our new Program Manager in Washington, D.C.
We remembered Mlk, Jr.
With a new group of volunteers, we started off the year celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. by working to beautify a school in downtown Los Angeles.
We celebrated the earth
Our preschool festival in LA and our inaugural Earth Fest in D.C. brought the community together around storytelling, eco-friendly arts projects and learning about how to have a positive impact on the earth.
We empowered kids through art
We believe in the power of art to empower & uplift children in challenging circumstances. We did just that by weaving arts projects into many of our initiatives and through continued support of Free Arts Minnesota and their art + social justice summer program. Through our partnership with P.A.I.N.T.S Institute, we launched an after school arts program for children at Rocketship Rise Academy in the Ward 8 neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
lucia helped Over 300 kids
Our Junior Ambassador outdid herself by hosting a backpack drive and getting backpacks and schools supplies into the hands of kids from high-poverty classrooms. In partnership with YOOBI, Lucia’s efforts meant thousands more school supplies were donated to other classrooms in need. Even Mayor Garcetti came by to lend his support!
And she kept us laughing!
Leading us to our most successful #GivingTuesday campaign ever.
More children went to school…
Children started attending classes in their new schools in Chimbwinda, Malawi and in Baptiste, Haiti. By providing access to education in a safe and nurturing environment, we help to break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy in impoverished, rural communities.
Including India…
“I want to be a nurse when I grow up. Before having a proper school in my village, being a nurse seemed just like a dream.”
India was learning in a torn, broken down tent where she was exposed to the elements, it was overcrowded and teachers were not motivated to show up. But when In a Perfect World decided to fund a school in Baptiste, she saw her dreams becoming a reality right before her eyes.
Our founder was honored
The LadyLike Foundation in LA & the Women’s Leadership Group in D.C. honored Manuela for her work to empower and inspire girls to be fearless leaders. Junior Ambassador Lucia was always by her side.
We honored Q
At our inaugural Music + Art + Philanthropy event, we honored In a Perfect World friend and mentor Quincy Jones for his tireless work for the betterment of humanity…
and we had fun doing it…
With appearances from George Benson, Shoshana Bean, Eric Benét, Siedah Garrett, Stevie Wonder, Smokey and Frances Robinson, Sheléa, David Foster and Kenny Lattimore… it was a night to remember!
we made new friends
From Australia to Japan, Canada to the U.K., people came together in support of our mission to empower children through education, mentoring and the arts.
some of those friends climbed
Our friends did amazing things this year. Among them, 42 NPGUK friends who climbed to the top of the O2 in London to commemorate Prince’s legendary residency there and to raise funds for In a Perfect World. Funds which are now going to support the schools built in Prince’s name.
some launched campaigns
Also in the UK, a beautiful campaign was started to continue support for the villages of Chimbwinda and Ng’ozo in southern Malawi. Stay tuned to find out what impact those donations will have!
some worked in service
As our newest Virtual Ambassador, Anushka ran her own service project in Toronto, Canada. She managed to collect over 300 books to be donated to kids in need. And she’s preparing now for her next project.
Way to go Anushka!
and others lent a hand
From care packages for at-risk teens and hurricane victims, to hygiene kits for homeless families, IAPW volunteers joined our ambassadors and helped bring hope and necessities to children that needed it.
we were recognized
We achieved Platinum Status for the second time & we were recognized as a Great NonProfit for the third year in a row. Even more importantly, we were flooded with thanks from children, like this sweet letter from one of the students in our after-school reading program in Grantsburg, Wisconsin.
We stayed in our gratitude
We know that despite all of our accomplishments, we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for your support of our vision and mission. Here’s to even bigger and better things in 2018 for the communities we serve!
