Gwinnett Braves Award December Grant to The Next Stop

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - The Gwinnett Braves have announced the recipient of their $1,000 grant for the month of December. The Next Stop Foundation, Inc. has been awarded the "Season of Giving" themed grant, aimed at funding an education organization.

The Next Stop works with developmentally disabled adults, as well as those with traumatic brain injuries in Gwinnett County and the surrounding area. The non-profit organization provides members who have aged out of the school system with a place to socialize, learn and enjoy friendships in a fulfilling and challenging way. Through high-quality group activities, learning opportunities and personalized mentorship, The Next Stop helps its members grow in the areas of self-confidence, social skills, maturity, life skills and awareness.

One such group activity, cooking education, provides members with a cooperative environment in which to exercise cognitive and motor skills. Each small group works together to perform recipe preparation and clean-up before enjoying the fruits of their labor. The $1,000 grant awarded by the Gwinnett Braves will fund over two months of kitchen costs associated with the cooking education program.

"We are truly grateful to the Gwinnett Braves for this grant award," said Vicki LaRoche, Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Next Stop. "At The Next Stop we provide opportunities for members to experience social situations, recreational fun and life appreciation learning. Because our members cook each day at The Next Stop, these funds will be used to support our kitchen education."

About The Next Stop Foundation, Inc.:  Founded in 2006, The Next Stop provides programs where high-functioning developmentally disabled and brain injured young adults can gather to socialize, enjoy recreation and learn life application skills. The vibrant, one-of-a-kind center is small by design, but big on success. Families report that 98 percent of members have improved their social skills or remained stable since entering the program. For more information, call 404-932-3953 or visit www.thenextstop.org.

For more information on the Gwinnett Braves Grant Program, including details on how your organization can apply for future grants, call Community Relations Coordinator Alison Atkins at 678-277-0346 or email [email protected].