The recipient entity's physical address:
           202 N. Thomas Dr. Suite 9
Shreveport, LA 71107

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           202 N. Thomas Dr. Suite 9
Shreveport, LA 71107

Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Non-Profit Corporation

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  6236

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $25,000

What type of request is this?  General Appropriation

Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?  Yes

Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
           Zazell Dudley, Board Chair - 2929 Logan St, Shreveport, LA 71103
Willie Bradford, Board Member - 3026 Independence Ave., Shreveport, LA 71109
Marilyn Jackson, Board Member - 6314 Border Lane, Shreveport, LA 71119
Aaron Bronson, Board Member - 1032 Dumaine Dr., Shreveport, LA 71106

Charles Johnson, President - 202 N. Thomas Dr. Suite 9, Shreveport, LA 71107

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           Community Caregivers of Northwest Louisiana is a nonprofit organization committed to uplifting underserved communities by fostering empowerment, promoting community engagement, expanding employment opportunities, and providing essential resources to those in need.

We are seeking funding to support a comprehensive slate of youth and women’s empowerment programs that target some of the most critical developmental stages in life—5th grade, adolescence, and adulthood. Our work focuses on women and African American youth, offering culturally responsive, trauma-informed programming designed to foster leadership, self-sufficiency, and long-term personal and economic stability.

WOMB (Women of Massive Belief) Initiative
WOMB Economic Empowerment Program (Adult Women)
A 12-month initiative designed to help women launch and manage small businesses. Training includes financial education, vocational skill-building, cooperative savings, and startup support. This program provides practical tools to achieve economic independence and improve community wellbeing. Also facilitating the Women of Worth Empowerment Event
An annual gathering for women of all ages, offering tools and motivation for economic growth, personal fulfillment, and family development.

YUPP Teens: Young, Unique Positive People (Grades 8–12)
A 12-month leadership and academic enrichment institute. Youth engage in public speaking, ethical leadership training, STEM education, tutoring, creative arts, and mentorship. The program promotes resilience, goal-setting, and future planning.

Cherokee Park Elementary School Adoption Program
In-school and community-based programming over 10 months equips students with life skills, wellness education, and early leadership development. Topics include emotional health, nutrition, hygiene, gender-based violence awareness, and entrepreneurship, all taught with a culturally relevant approach. Also providing support to the teachers and faculty to acknowledge gratitude for the work they do with the children and motivate them for success. As well as supporting the schools initiatives to increase and support parental involvement.

The Bradford Center Incubator Program
Our Bradford Center for Small Business & Nonprofit Incubator Program, providing aspiring entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders with essential resources, mentorship, and collaborative workspace to launch and grow their ventures. By offering tailored support and fostering innovation, the Bradford Center aims to cultivate a thriving ecosystem of community-driven enterprises that contribute to the economic vitality of Northwest Louisiana. This initiative underscores Community Caregivers' dedication to nurturing leadership and sustainable growth within the region.


Impact and Reach
Our programs are rooted in evidence-based practices and target key developmental milestones to build confidence, life skills, and self-sufficiency. Through school partnerships, mentorships, community events, and long-term engagement, Community Caregivers of Northwest Louisiana is working to create systemic change and opportunity for underserved populations. With state funding, we aim to expand our reach, deepen our impact, and ensure sustainability for these critical initiatives.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,000
          Professional Services. . . $10,000
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $10,000
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $0

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?  No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
          

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          The public purpose of the WOMB (Women of Massive Belief) Economic Empowerment Program is to address gender-based economic disparities in Louisiana by increasing the number of women entrepreneurs, particularly among underserved and minority populations. The program equips women with the knowledge, skills, resources, and mentorship necessary to launch and sustain small businesses, fostering local economic development, reducing dependency on public assistance, and contributing to the overall vitality of communities across the state. Empowering more women to become successful entrepreneurs in Louisiana is not only a matter of equity—it is an economic imperative. Studies show that women reinvest up to 90% of their income back into their families and communities, compared to 30–40% for men (UN Women). Supporting female entrepreneurship results in stronger family outcomes, reduced poverty, and healthier local economies.

The public purpose of the YUPP (Young, Unique Positive People Program) is to support Louisiana’s youth—particularly those from underserved and minority communities—in successfully transitioning from high school to higher education and/or career pathways. YUPP provides structured mentorship, academic support, career readiness training, and exposure to post-secondary options to prepare students for long-term personal and economic success. By investing in youth today, we help build a stronger, more educated, and workforce-ready Louisiana. Low educational attainment and limited career readiness contribute to cycles of poverty, especially in urban communities. The YUPP Program addresses these gaps by equipping teens with the tools, mentorship, and exposure they need to navigate their futures with purpose. The program creates a pipeline from high school to college or trade school and into the workforce, increasing both academic persistence and employment outcomes for Louisiana’s next generation of leaders.

The Cherokee Park Elementary School Adoption Program, exists to address critical unmet needs at one of Shreveport’s most underserved elementary schools. The program’s public purpose is to enhance educational outcomes by providing wraparound support that addresses the social, emotional, and physical needs of students—particularly in a school where poverty, limited parental involvement, and a lack of essential resources threaten children’s ability to thrive academically and personally. According to the Louisiana Department of Education, schools in economically disadvantaged communities like this often see higher rates of behavioral issues and lower test scores, graduation rates, and overall student well-being. The Cherokee Park Adoption Program supplements what the school system alone cannot provide—creating a community-school partnership model that brings in resources, mentorship, and hands-on support to ensure students’ basic needs are met, and that they have a strong foundation to succeed in school and life.

The Bradford Center Small Business and Nonprofit Incubator Program, exists to reduce economic barriers to entrepreneurship by providing affordable space, mentorship, and infrastructure to small businesses and emerging nonprofits. The public purpose of this initiative is to support business development, job creation, and local economic growth—particularly among minority-owned, women-owned, and low-income entrepreneurs—by offering a collaborative environment where organizations can grow and scale with minimal overhead costs. The Bradford Center addresses providing turnkey office space, technical assistance, and capacity-building support at a fraction of market cost. By removing the heavy financial burden of startup operations and offering shared services such as meeting rooms, office technology, and coaching, the incubator allows entrepreneurs to focus on sustainability and growth.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          The goal of WOMB is to increase the number of economically self-sufficient women in Louisiana by providing comprehensive business development support that enables them to create, launch, and sustain successful enterprises. Some objectives are to Facilitate the creation of more new women-owned small businesses in Louisiana by providing access to mentorship, startup resources, and cooperative saving models; increase access to capital and funding opportunities; and to reduce economic dependency among participants. This initiative aligns with state goals to promote workforce development, reduce poverty, support small business growth, and close the gender and racial wealth gaps. Funding from the state will allow Community Caregivers of Northwest Louisiana to expand the reach and effectiveness of the WOMB Program, enabling more Louisiana women to become empowered, self-sufficient, and economically active citizens.

The goal of YUPP is to increase college enrollment, workforce participation, and career readiness among high school students in Louisiana through targeted mentoring, exposure, and skill-building. Some objectives are to provide structured mentorship; Offer college and career readiness workshops on topics such as financial aid, admissions processes, resume writing, professional communication, and workplace etiquette; facilitate college and career exposure; Provide academic enrichment and soft skills training through monthly sessions in leadership, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and time management. With support from state grant funding, YUPP will expand its reach into more schools and communities, improving outcomes for youth who might otherwise be left behind. This investment will strengthen Louisiana’s future workforce and reduce long-term reliance on public services by empowering young people to pursue stable, fulfilling careers and higher education pathways.

The goal of the CPE Adoption Program is to improve student well-being and academic engagement by addressing critical social, emotional, and physical needs through consistent community-based support at Cherokee Park Elementary. Some objectives are to provide year-round support services to students and the faculty; Host monthly on-site wellness and engagement activities; Increase mentorship and enrichment opportunities; Enhance family-school connections; and support faculty and school climate by providing teacher appreciation, classroom supplies, and volunteer assistance to improve morale and reduce educator burnout. This program aligns with the State of Louisiana’s goals to increase student achievement, reduce educational disparities, and foster equitable access to learning opportunities for all children—regardless of their socioeconomic background. With state funding, we will strengthen our capacity to be a reliable and sustained support system for Cherokee Park Elementary, helping transform it into a place where every child feels safe, supported, and equipped to succeed.

The goal of the Incubator Program is to foster economic development by equipping small businesses and nonprofit organizations with the tools, space, and support needed to launch, operate, and scale successfully within the first three years of establishment. Program objectives are to offer subsidized commercial office space; Provide technical assistance and business development services; Increase survival and growth rates of participating businesses; and strengthen nonprofit impact by supporting emerging organizations in accessing grant funding, improving service delivery, and expanding community reach. The Bradford Center Incubator Program serves as a catalyst for community revitalization and inclusive economic growth. By leveraging state grant funds, we can expand our reach, modernize our shared spaces, and provide even more robust support to emerging leaders and entrepreneurs who are building the future of Louisiana’s economy from the ground up.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           I year and continuing annually

If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
     (a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
                 n/a
    
     (b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
                 n/a

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                 n/a

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                  n/a

If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person: 
               n/a

(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
          Provide the name and address of such person:
               n/a

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
                n/a

          What is the nature of the relationship? 

(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
                 n/a

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               n/a


Contact Information
name:  Charles Johnson 
                                       address:  202 N. Thomas Dr. Suite 9
Shreveport, LA 71107
                                       phone:  318-469-2656
                                       fax: 
                                       e-mail:  info@cejaybrands.com
                                       relationship to entity:  President