Rachel Rutledge – Huntsville, Alabama

Rachel is the Founder of a nonprofit titled The BRIC, serving teenagers in Madison County, AL. The BRIC provides a safe and supportive environment for teens to congregate on weekend nights with live bands, DJs, coffee/snack bar, mini-library, gaming and mentorship and enrichment opportunities. The BRIC is an alternative to teens hanging out in parking lots or engaging in illegal or unsafe practices. Rachel has and is making a difference in the lives of local teens through her efforts in forming The BRIC. She works tirelessly to create programs that will both interest and help educate them. She has established Saturday afternoon summer classes that are free for all teens and will include such topics as: financial literacy, resume/interview skills, leadership, dress for success, ACT/SAT prep, writer’s workshop, self-defense, and art classes. Rachel actively promotes The BRIC within the community through schools, churches, and youth organizations. She is constantly on the look-out for ways to improve and grow the organization in order to benefit and reach more teens. You will find her on weekend nights interacting with youth at the coffee bar, playing games, drawing or just talking.