Our Purpose
Permian Basin Be the Change is a non-profit organization that inspires students to be the positive change in their lives and the lives of others.
➢ BTC believes that all kids deserve an opportunity to be the best version of themselves.
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➢ Provides programs that build trust, offer tools for goal setting, mentorship, and leadership skills.
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➢ Through community partnerships, we provide students with essential resources to assist them in overcoming whatever obstacles they face and empowering them to succeed in life.
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➢ Participants improve in each of the five emotional intelligence core competencies: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, social skills, and empathy.
History
Having children of her own, Sandra Candia wanted to make the world a better place not only for her children but all children in our communities. Therefore, in October 2011, from private donation funds raised by Sandra, the journey to bring more kindness and leadership skills to empower students to make a difference in their lives and the world around them began. The first programming began by providing 400 students of the Midland Christian campus with an acclaimed, experimental learning program known as Challenge Day. The following year, a planning committee composed of a variety of community members raised donations to serve hundreds of more high school students. With such a success record of the programs and the students it serviced, as well as some help from the Permian Basin Area Foundation, Permian Basin—Be the Change would be founded and granted the 501(c)3 status in the 2013-2014 school year. In that same year, the newly founded organization would also serve over 2500 students. Having only served Midland, Be the Change would reach another milestone, by finally expanding its services to Odessa in 2017. Since Be the Change’s inception, its programs have serviced thousands of students through collaboration with their prospective schools.