2008 State of the League (Improvement League) Address

Thank you for your past support of the Improvement League. We thoroughly appreciate your involvement, and sincerely appreciate your thoughtful attention to the Improvement League of Plant City (ILPC).

I have received a number of inquiries on the ILPC during the Plant City MLK Leadership Breakfast held this past January. This interest in the ILPC is a significant acknowledgment of our successful track record of delivering superior community improvement projects for nearly 26 years.

I am pleased to tell you about the Improvement League’s past accomplishments, current programs and future projects that I believe will be of interest to you.

ILPC has enjoyed a significant growth within the last ten years. During the past ten years, ILPC launched five new programs, including a fatherhood conference, teen conference, summer programs, literacy, and started restoration of a former boarding house into a community museum. We delivered services to over 2,000 youth and 500 senior citizens; an outstanding record of achievement. Volunteer staff has allowed us to effectively administer our new programs and a local CPA Company conducts financial audits annually to ensure accountability.

We are seeking support from you to continue our community programs (teen conference, computer lab, oral history, college scholarships) as restoration on the inside of the Bing House Museum proceeds. Your support is a vital component to the ILPC’s demonstrated success in youth leadership development, especially for those from the underrepresented minority communities.

ILPC has a worthy list of accomplishments to include; acquiring $100,000 initial investment for Westside Boys & Girls Club, raising $125,000 for the Multi-Purpose Building/Concession Stand at the Plant City MLK Recreation Complex, implementing the Striving for Excellence Academy After-School site for seven years, and awarding over $20,000 in college scholarships to local area high school students.

Undaunted, ILPC is an organization committed to excellence, with a clear vision and a passion for delivering outstanding results. We ask you to work with us to capitalize on our growth and these strengths. Over the years the ILPC has proven the effectiveness of youth leadership development and community-based programs. The ILPC has helped to demonstrate that community outreach programs which are developed and managed by a community for a community make a striking impact. With your support our programs can continue to bring critically-needed social, empowerment and literacy skills to the neighbors, family members and peers residing in Lincoln & Madison Park, and, in so doing, will effect positive change in their own communities.

The challenge at this stage is to seize the opportunity, to take the risk, to realize the positive impact of our programs as innovative, rewarding and productive. With the strength which has made ILPC what it is today, the choice is an easy one -- help our community meet the challenges of the 21st Century.

The need for an African American Community Museum to preserve the history of local families and past generational success stories cannot be overstated. The continuance of effective youth and family programs is vital to building a future, uplifting individuals, creating self-sufficiency.

Thank you for your past support and contributions to ILPC, and the community residents it serves. We look forward to your consideration of future support and the opportunity to partner in the future. Please do not hesitate our office at (813) 757-6760 or contact me directly at (813-767-4374).

Sincerely,

Henry Johnson

President, Improvement League of Plant City, Inc.

Henry Johnson

President

Improvement League