The BRAVO Education Foundation grew out of the seeds of friendship between Barbara BRAdley and Maureen CalVO. Barbara is a retired Speech and Language Therapist (32 years) and Maureen a retired Special Educator (38 years). Their friendship spans over 40 years and their shared experiences as educators has been one of many binding threads that fortify their relationship. During the summer of 2023, while facing her ongoing battle with cancer, Barbara felt it in her heart to share a small piece of her life’s savings with Maureen “to use however she wanted” as an expression of love and gratitude for their friendship. At the same time, Maureen was feeling a strong tug at her heart to make a significant, meaningful, long-term contribution to her community that might have a positive impact on its schools. More specifically, her vision was to create a non-profit foundation dedicated to providing grants to teachers who wanted to initiate innovative and enhanced learning opportunities for their students, but lacked school-based funding to do so. However, when faced with the costs associated with making this dream a reality, Maureen felt a bit overwhelmed and prayed for a “sign” that might battle her discouragement and renew her conviction to pursue this mission. Maureen wholeheartedly believed Barbara’s unexpected monetary gift was that sign. It not only provided the seed money to make her dream a reality, but also provided a
means to honor Barbara’s generous and loving gesture of friendship.
Initially rooted from the seeds of friendship, BRAVO Education Foundation was incorporated in September of 2023. It is in its early stages of development, and there is much work to be done! We enthusiastically and actively seek to engage community members in building positive, collaborative relationships that pave the way to accomplish its mission and goals.
We are a pending 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The BRAVO Foundation raises monies through contributions to fund programs, projects and initiatives which support its mission to enhance Learning opportunities for all students by supporting teachers’ academic innovation and creativity throughout Clarendon County, and promoting family and community partnerships.
MISSION
To encourage and support teacher initiative designed to provide innovative and enhanced learning opportunities for Prek-12 Grade Students of Clarendon County; to promote family and community partnerships.
GOALS:
-Mobilize the community to promote and foster Clarendon County Schools.
-Develop a collaborative spirit and supportive relationships between the BRAVO Education Foundation and all schools in Clarendon County.
-Raise and leverage necessary resources to support the mission of the Foundation.
-Foster community and family partnerships
If you want to know more, and/or would like to get involved, please contact Maureen Calvo at: bravoedofccsc@gmail.com or 610-547-6520.
DONATIONS can be made by sending check or money orders to BRAVO Ed Foundation of CC, 2635 Patriot Rd., Manning, SC.
