The Sojourner Douglass Leadership Institute is working on creating a Literacy Movement in Hawkinsville/Pulaski County, Georgia. We would like to create a library/reading room inside the center and fill it with books, periodicals, scholarly journals,and historical documents.

We’ve made a connection with Books for International Goodwill headed by Dr. Steve Frantzich and located in Annapolis, Maryland (http://big-books.org/) where we are able to acquire large amounts of free books! However, we need help with shipping costs to get the books from Annapolis to Hawkinsville! We would like to load a Uhaul truck(s) and make multiple trips back and forth to transport the books. We would like this relationship with Books for International Goodwill to be ongoing. We have delayed the trip and will be heading down to Hawkinsville toward the end of December with a Uhaul filled with books. The estimated cost of the Uhaul including gas will be $1600.  We can quickly achieve our goal, if we could have the following people help:

- 16 people donate $100/each, or

- 50 people donate $32/each, or

- 100 people donate $16/each, or

- 160 people donate $10/each, or

- 320 people donate $5/each

Please help us with our current goals. We are accepting any amount.

We greatly appreciate any amount you can give!

We would like to thank everyone who has donated so far!!

Who We Are:

The Newberry Foundation is committed to preserving history, providing education and building community. The Foundation's first initiative is the establishment of The Sojourner Douglass Leadership Institute for the training and development of tomorrow's leaders. The second initiative is the establishment of the African American Memorial Park and the development of The Gordon Street Community Garden.

We are committed to the growth and development of all human beings by providing a safe place to engage in critical analysis, self reflection, and experiential learning. It is our belief that through remembrance of the past we can begin to re-member ourselves as a pre-requisite for genuine community cooperation, sustainable economic development, and moral and social development. We believe that a deeper understanding of our history allows us to more fully understand the present and better prepares us for the challenges of tomorrow. We value stillness and silence. We value hard work and discipline. We value producing and not just consuming. We value giving a hand up and not a hand out. We value work and study above sport and play. We value independence. We value civic participation. We value good governance, rule of law and security for our families. We love our country and we worship the one GOD. We hope that your visit will provide for you a window into what is possible. Dare to dare. Be counted! If you would like to support our efforts please mail us at PO Box 1112, Hawkinsville GA 31036. We can be reached at 478 783-3744.

The Sojourner Douglass Leadership Institute is currently working on two Key Initiatives and preparing to offer four Educational Programs!

Two Key Initiatives:
1. Literacy Movement; Library/Reading Room - books, periodicals, scholarly journals, historical documents.
2. Technology Center - 20 computers, multi-media equipment, audio-visual, e-learning curriculum.

Four Educational Programs:
1. Afterschool program targeting early childhood through highschool.
2. Rites of Passage program focused on good citizenship, roles, and responsibilities.
3. Mentorship program linking parents to children - especially fathers.
4. Young Diplomats program to encourage our young people to think globally while acting locally.

The Newberry Foundation needs your help!

Please visit us at our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SojournerDouglassLeadershipInstitute

Peace and Love!