Nonprofit Program for Local Teens Needs Just $6,000 by December 31 to Maintain Nonprofit Status

sbTNN provides opportunities for local high school students to learn professional technical skills and the self-esteem, teamwork and leadership skills needed to become successful adults. This year end, the Patricia Henley Foundation, which provides the program free to the Santa Barbara community, is just $6,000 away from the public funding needed by December 31 to maintain its nonprofit status which will keep sbTNN eligible for the future grants and fundraising that will make the program sustainable.

“As you can imagine, losing this program would not only be sad, but it would take away opportunities for the youth in this community,” said Trixie Geyer, Associate Director of the Patricia Henley Foundation. “sbTNN has provided countless growth experiences, skill-building, and important connections in the community for the youth who are the future of Santa Barbara.”

sbTNN is nearing the end of a five year probation period for its 501(c)3 public non-profit status. The organization needs to be 33% supported by public funding and has now reached 31%, if sbTNN does not receive $6,000 before December 31, 2011 their application will be denied and they will not be able to raise future funds through grants and, thus limiting the life of the sbTNN program.

“As we reach the halfway mark in our third season of sbTNN, the positive impact is proven,” said Geyer. “With the community’s continued support, we can continue delivering on our mission to give teens support to help them find passion in their lives. Every day we showcase events and report on positive happenings that teens are interested in and therefore all teens and families in our community benefit from sbTNN.”

In 2009, the Patricia Henley Foundation launched its now primary program sbTNN to engage local teens to work together, express themselves creatively and build professional experience in all facets of media production. Through the free sbTNN program, teens learn to find and express their “voice,” which was the vision of founder Patricia Henley, in creating the foundation.

sbTNN is an exciting, fast-paced, 30-minute weekly show produced for and by local teens, creating an upbeat TV show reflecting current events, teen lifestyles, creative expression and the voice of teens.

sbTNN is for all youths interested in creative arts. Students in the program learn basic cinematography, familiarizing themselves with editing software, cameras and sound engineering, along with stage performance and interviewing techniques. Each segment features different students and stories from Santa Barbara area schools.

The Patricia Henley Foundation offers the sbTNN program free of charge, allowing any local teen to participate in the program, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. sbTNN cast members come from diverse backgrounds, but when they’re in the studio, their individual voices shine through as they build friendships, confidence and leadership skills to help them flourish through the teen years and beyond.

sbTNN is made possible thanks to community supporters, including support from the Santa Barbara Channels. The student reporters rehearse and tape live on Saturdays in the Santa Barbara Channels’ Channel 17 and Channel 21 studios, with airings throughout the week on Channel 21, on Noozhawk.com and at sbTNN.com.

sbTNN is seeking individual and business sponsors to keep the program available and free of charge to students. Call 805.568.3600 x114 for more information.