Challenge grant seeks to aid at-risk students in local schools

Charlotte businessman Frank Bragg has issued a $150,000 challenge grant in support of Right Moves for Youth, a nonprofit he co-founded in support of Mecklenburg County’s at-risk youths.

The money will support expansion of the agency’s programs to several additional sites within the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. The Bragg family’s goal is to raise a community match of $150,000 for a total of $300,000 in new dollars for the charity.

Right Moves for Youth estimates 600 additional young people could benefit from programs expanded with the money.

“The Bragg family’s generous gift is just one more example of their commitment to Right Moves for Youth and devotion to the youth of Charlotte,” said Tayuanee Dewberry, head of Right Moves for Youth.

Over the past 25 years, Right Moves for Youth has provided services to more than 30,000 students, she says. The agency provides services to at-risk students in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community. Its goals include reducing the dropout rate through a “life skills” curriculum.

Students in the program focus on personal development, health and wellness, education (college and career exploration), decision making/organization, relationships and finances.

The program currently serves more than 1,500 students in 26 middle and high schools throughout Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Right Moves for Youth was formally incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 1993.

Dewberry says the group’s efforts have resulted in a graduation rate of 97 percent among students in the program.

This story was originally published February 1, 2016 at 12:30 PM with the headline "Challenge grant seeks to aid at-risk students in local schools."