Ambassadors of Hope and Opportunity

Donald O. Collins
Memorial Challenge Grant
$25,000

* These monies must be matched by January 2012

Donald O. Collins

June 13, 1931 - August 17, 2011

The Estate of Donald O. Collins has granted Ambassadors of Hope and Opportunity a $25,000 Challenge Grant for their work with Marin’s at-risk and homeless youth ages 16 to 25.

Don was an extraordinary entrepreneur, leading philanthropist and a Champion for Marin's challenged and underprivileged youth.

Don was a gracious and generous giver and a true Hero to Marin's forgotten young people without families or resources.

His legacy lives on through the hope and opportunity this grant will provide for the youth served by AHO.

Your donation will be matched dollar for dollar and go directly to providing housing, guidance and community connection to Marin's over 2,500 homeless and at-risk youth ages 16 to 25.

Send Checks to: AHO - P.O 2278 Mill Valley, CA 94942

AHO Safe Haven & Drop-in Cottage

Click here to see the Safe Haven & Drop-in Open Cottage Ribbon Cutting Photos

Voices of AHO Youth

Jimmy Hayes, Age 25

Jordan Atkinson, Age 21

Marquayus Malone, Age 20

ABC 7 San Francisco Cheryl Jennings

features AHO (click to play)

"You Have Already Given Me Hope"

From: Monica Raggio (age 23)
Date: Sat, 16 Jan 2010 21:57:35 -0800
To: AHO Project
Subject: YOU HAVE ALREADY GIVEN ME HOPE.....

“I just watched some of the videos of you and the other young adults on your website...I am blown away, you too were once in our situations.

I am so amazed that you have been able to help many, many young, struggling adults. I hope I too can be helped. I am very committed to doing whatever I can to assist you in helping myself. Thank you for you support. I watched the video of Jimmy and Amy....I love how Amy stated at the end of the video, "she is like my second mom"–that was very inspirational. There really is someone who cares for us, ones that have been abused, neglected, ended up homeless due to different situations that have come our way, but you take the time to really care about us and really watch us grow up to be young, mature, responsible adults in today’s crazy society. It doesn't take anyone with MONEY AND FAME to help our young adults today. It takes a caring, loving, warm, understanding, mature, and responsible woman to help our struggling young adults succeed in today’s hopeless society. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE FOR ME AND ALL THE OTHER YOUNG ADULTS IN TODAY’S WORLD!!!!”

Monica Raggio

Ambassadors of Hope and Opportunity - AHO
ph. 415.381.7173
zarab@comcast.net

P.O. Box 2278
Mill Valley, CA 94942

Changing Lives - Building Youth Leaders