Austin Serving Abaco Foundation

The Austin Serving Abaco Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting Haitian immigrants and native Bahamians in need. Its primary focus is on helping children receive an education and meeting their basic needs, thereby fostering an environment of hope and encouragement.

Mission

The foundation's mission is centered around educational empowerment, aiming to support as many children as possible to remain in school and graduate, thereby paving a path for a better future. This is achieved through various initiatives, including:

• Sponsorships for Students: Providing financial support to help children pursue their education.
• Backpack Drives: Collecting and distributing essential school supplies.
• Shoe and Clothing Drives: Organizing donations of clothing and footwear to families in need.
• Mission Trips: Partnering with other organizations to conduct trips that offer additional resources and support to the community.

Background

The foundation was established by a family who had been visiting the island of Abaco in the Bahamas for over twenty years. In 2013, they encountered a community struggling to meet basic needs, including access to educational materials. Initially, they began by purchasing required books for a few local children, which eventually grew into a broader initiative to support nearly 200 students through educational resources and other forms of support.

Impact

Austin Serving Abaco has been able to provide educational funds, books, clothing, and shoes to approximately 150 children. Additionally, the organization supports Bahamian-born children of non-Bahamian parents in their path to citizenship, which is available to them in the year following their 18th birthday.

Community Engagement

The organization has attracted support from both the Austin and Abaco communities and is expanding its outreach through partnerships with other initiatives. For instance, a recent collaboration involved a service trip involving students from Eagle County, who helped champion awareness and fundraising efforts related to the project.

Financial Transparency

As a registered 501(c)(3), Austin Serving Abaco Foundation files annual tax returns, which are publicly available. These documents provide detailed financial information about the organization's activities and expenditures.