Orange Duffel Bag Initiative

05/13/2026

2024-25 ODBI Grad Makenzie ... Proof you can be and do anything you set your mind to! Especially when you're on Team Orange and have had the support of Clayton County Public Schools. Hear Makenzie's words of encouragement to graduating 2026 CCPS HED students. Congrats, Makenzie, and all ODBI grads in Clayton County, the state of GA, and across the country! https://theodbi.org

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Rl_xIh3m1_nZnUrSeKW1XSzg8ZydF7Xb/view?usp=sharing

Echo Garrett Sam Bracken Elizabeth Meldrum Lisle Chris Chan Scott Patrick Luis Adalberto Castro Valdizon Tameka L Burns Sandra LeMieux Dedrick Leonard Mike Ecker Alison Chaffee Lana Wachniak Linda Downie @

02/05/2026

Golf to Help Students In Need Succeed! The Indian Hills course is stunning ("undulating greens with tight fairways") and the ODBI charity is committed to providing coaching and ongoing advocacy to improve the education outcomes of its students ("15 years and counting!") Sponsorship and golfer registration NOW OPEN! Please use the below link or QR code.

https://13thAnnualODBICharityGolfClassic.eventbrite.com

To learn more about ODBI, please visit: https://theodbi.org

Sam Bracken Echo Garrett Elizabeth Meldrum Lisle Mike Ecker Chris Chan Dedrick Leonard JE Dunn Construction Alison Chaffee Lana Wachniak

01/19/2026

In 2018, during a trip with Team Orange to DC, ODBI Grad Kalil paid homage to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Today we honor Dr. King, who understood, during difficult times, personal or otherwise, "only when it is dark enough, can you see the stars." Thank you, Dr. King, for helping us all remember, "We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope."

12/31/2025

DOUBLE IMPACT! Donate by midnight and your $25 will buy 2 student orange duffel bags. $50 will buy 2 student workbook materials. $500 will buy 2 student laptops! https://theodbi.org/donate-to-odbi Donations matched by generous donor. Thank you for your support!

12/30/2025

Did you know most youth in foster care are there through no fault of their own? Please help our students beat the odds of aging out of care unprepared to face challenges of adulthood. Donations MATCHED through 12.31. https://theodbi.org/donate-to-odbi

12/29/2025

Last days to DOUBLE your impact helping students in need achieve and succeed! https://theodbi.org/donate-to-odbi Ever wonder who your donations might actually help? Students like LaBrittany with the support of ODBI coaches like Robbi!

12/23/2025

Happy Holidays! Please enjoy and share ODBI's 2025 Winter Newsletter with highlights from Class 100, updates on Team Orange alum, and a special volunteer recognition. Your donation is always important and appreciated, and through yearend will be MATCHED, doubling your impact! https://theodbi.org/donate-to-odbi

12/20/2025

Team Orange hopes you're considering a donation to ODBI before yearend because it will be matched, doubling your impact! https://theodbi.org/donate-to-odbi. If you're looking to be inspired to make that donation ... consider this. ODBI grad Dedrick Leonard recently joined ODBI's Board of Directors, the first of our alum to serve the organization in this capacity—a special and full circle moment for both Dedrick and ODBI.

Dedrick’s journey began as a “16-year-old hiding under a hoodie. I felt like my words isolated me. Then in 2011, I was nominated for the ODBI Coaching Program Class 2. I walked in silent and left with a voice.”

Dedrick adds, “I’m honored to join ODBI’s Board of Directors to help expand our vision of empowering more students in need to write a brighter story for their future.”

To read more, please visit https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x6FzY8INEu5rh95TLjtbUQWBgfacAuUn/view?usp=sharing

12/18/2025

ODBI is so proud to have Wasiq Kabir on our Board of Directors! Wasiq has volunteered with our students and seen firsthand their transformational change throughout the coaching program. Thank you, Wasiq! Oh, and gentle reminder, donations are matched through yearend! https://theodbi.org/donate-to-odbi

12/16/2025

ODBI is so PROUD of Class 100! Please join us in congratulating each and every graduate of this class and all of the 2200 grads who preceded them! ODBI is deeply grateful to Clayton County Public Schools for its support of their students and our program.

Donations to ODBI, a 501c3 public charity, are matched through 12.31.25! https://theodbi.org/donate-to-odbi

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cDgKOKm_dJ0NI2XY3jOgw-Wp89w0XfxTz1WieqKBqv8/edit?usp=sharing

Dedrick Leonard Tameka L Burns Clayton County Public Schools

December 16, 2025 CCPS Celebrates 100th Orange Duffel Bag Graduating Class in GA JONESBORO - On Saturday, December 13, Clayton County Public Schools celebrated Georgia’s 100th graduating class of the Orange Duffel Bag Initiative (ODBI). Eleven students completed their 12-week program...