RabunYES

Posted by Cliff Bussard on

Rabun Youth Educational Support, Inc. (RabunYES) provides educational services and support to local youth while in collaboration with other tax-exempt organizations based in Rabun County. The organization provides facilities, adult guidance to youth, career and occupational guidance as well as specialized expertise as identified in the local community. They include mentally and physically challenged youth in its programs wherever practical.

The organization was begun in April 2016 by a core group of locally active adults interested in broadening the reach of education in the county, enhancing home-schooled children’s experiences, but also building upon the good work done by other tax-exempt organizations. It is hoped that by embracing a broader perspective on “education,” that RabunYES can influence talented youth and encourage them to remain in Rabun County after graduation.

Thomas Buckridge, a retired Citibank executive, is the group’s treasurer. “We’re open to helping kids in any way we can,” he says. “Especially where it involves teaching them things they wouldn’t be taught in school.” This includes an emphasis on leadership, finance, trade specialization and outdoor skills.

RabunYES routinely provides internships or volunteer opportunities for involvement in any activities and programs impacting youth development in the community. “We’re prepared to work with any youth group that needs our help,” Buckridge adds. “We have the financial tools and expertise to be of benefit to other youth organizations. If they help kids, we want to help them.  Help the helpers, if you will.”

RabunYES has racked up several achievements to date:

  • Chartered a Boy Scout (Troop 19) and Cub Scout unit (Pack 6) in Rabun County. 
  • Taught a workshop to youth on topics of household finance and budgeting skills in collaboration with Rabun County Library; Provided sample budgets/materials in both English and Spanish.

Provided tutorials in Georgia homes schooling, youth-to-adulthood learning, economics and wealth-building

  • Contributed $4,340 to Rabun youth organizations in 2019 & $6,600 in 2020; assisted with financial support for transport of youth to camping experiences both in Georgia and out-of-state, and assisted Foxfire and other Scouting organizations with their respective programs.
  • Established community partnerships/relationships with Rabun County Library, Community Market, Foxfire & Currahee District BSA
  • Raised over $27,000 to build or lease a Youth Center facility in Rabun County for use by tax-exempt youth-based organizations across multiple programs.
  • Received Platinum recognition from the GuideStar reporting service for organization transparency, reporting and governance.
  • Provide a $500 annual leadership scholarship to a deserving high school graduating senior from Rabun County, the latest issued on July 26, 2021
  • Teaching of NE Georgia Scouting organizations in financial and administrative oversight

If you would like to learn more about RabunYES or how to get involved, please call, email or visit their website.

RabunYES is a non-profit corporation and operates exclusively for educational and charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Rabun Youth Educational Support, Inc.

P.O. Box 283

Clayton, GA 30525

813.293.1053

Email: rabunga.youth@gmail.com

Website: www.rabunyes.org