The Optimists, a non-profit, a self-motivated, volunteer driven, international charity organization, was founded in October 6, 2000. It is a 501 (C) (3) organization and contribution is tax exempt (US resident only). It is also registered with good standing with the “Charities Bureau, office of the NYS Attorney General.
The Organization is run and managed by the Board of Directors nominated by the Principal Executive Committee of the organization. The Bangladesh branch of The Optimists is also duly registered under NGO Bureau, Government of Bangladesh.
Amenities and opportunities that are established as a birth right in the developed world, such as food, shelter, education, medical care, access to clean water and sanitation etc., are distant dream for many countries in the world. Those of us who have our roots in Bangladesh have witnessed these stark realities with overwhelming sadness. Children, mother, and seniors are some of the worst victims of such all-pervasive poverty.
The volunteers of The Optimists believes that they have a responsibility, the will and the ability to make a difference in the lives of the distressed, dispossessed and deprived Children of Bangladesh. The Optimists is convinced and committed that they can bring HOPE TO THE HOPELESS with a helping hand from those who are blessed with privilege.
The primary objective of “The Optimists” is to salvage the Bangladeshi children whose hopes, possibilities and future have been snatched by poverty, broken families, lost parents and numerous anomalous social conditions.
Children born in poverty are deprived of education, food and healthcare; they are often abused, neglected and forced into child labor. These children have been robbed of their potentials and are pushed into a hopeless future plagued with disease, unemployment and premature death.
We know that there is a huge reservoir of people of goodwill and means, and a heart full of love, sympathy and generosity around the world. Our organization will act as a conduit to channel the love, sympathy and generosity for the needy children of Bangladesh.
The Optimists constantly needs your financial support to achieve its goal, irrespective of your ethnic, national or religious background. Tax-deductible contributions will be for the benefits of distress children. In addition, we also request you to contribute, financially and/or otherwise.
Current & Future Programs
Current : Child Sponsorship Program (CSP)
We are conscious about our limitations in terms of resources and time. Child Sponsorship Program is a charitable effort by donors aimed at providing food, clothing, education, tuition, books and medical care to the needy children through the 3rd to the 12th grade. Willing donors sponsors a child in Bangladesh thus becoming a sponsor. The sponsor’s yearly donation of $178 or equivalent is utilized to support each of sponsored children through ten years of his/her education.
Future: We are planning following other Programs
- Tuition and text-books for qualified poor high school student.
- Self-dependence through income-generating training and support for qualified poor families.
- Maternity and child welfare program for qualified poor families.
-
Funding & Support
The Optimists run its Child Sponsorship Program (CSP) with the money the sponsor donates annually. All the money The Optimists receive for sponsorship goes to the children without any deduction. Organization’s other expenses are met by the donation colleted from the patrons and volunteers. Though The Optimists faced temporary shortage of funds several times for not being able to collect sponsorship donation on time or few sponsorship drop offs, the programs was always uninterrupted. However, our present assets, funds and set up are not enough to maintain our projects and future goals, abiding by the guidelines given by the authorities.
By accepting the NGO status in Bangladesh, The Optimists has agreed to fulfill Bangladesh governments’ requirements which involve a huge amount of money for establishing offices in the capital city and other districts, hiring few required paid employees, paying honorarium and other operational expenses. With this new NGO registration which is a legal requirement to run and widen scope, functionality and program in a professional way, the additional fund needed is about $18,000.00+ per year. The Optimists is striving to collect this fund from other sources.
The Optimists will always appreciate and acknowledge for any financial or other contributions (computers, printers, copiers, office furniture, office rent etc.) for its offices in Bangladesh. An estimated total requirement for establishment cost of the offices for the current year is $20,000.00+.
For additional information regarding projects, procedures and to know about the ways to help, please contact any of The Optimists office or visit The Optimists Website: www.theoptimists.org .
Offices of The Optimists
Principal Office:
25-78, 31st Street
Astoria, NY 11102
Tel: 718 278 4953
Fax: 718 554 3832
Email: theoptimists@gmail.com
Bangladesh Branch Office
House # 169 (4th Fl.), Road #1
DOHS Baridhara, Dhaka 1206
Tel: 02 884 0684
Mobile: 01715 065 107
Email: theopt6@gmail.com
For more information about the Charity Organization
“The Optimists”, please
contact us.
