THINGS LOOKING UP FOR GRADE A PLUS

Grade A Plus is rising to the challenge of its latest test.

The organization broke with the Burlington Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 1,
becoming an independent entity, and will move to donated office space in
the YMCA today.

Also known as Great River Area Drug Education -- Parents Linking in United
Support, Grade A Plus has worked to educate children on the dangers of
drugs and prevent substance abuse for the past 11 years. Together with
parents and volunteers, the agency sponsors such events as Red Ribbon Week
and Burlington's Rockin' New Year's Eve.

Grade A Plus coordinator Shannon Stanek said she expects the organization
to thrive in its new location.

"We still have the same vision, but it is an expanded vision," Stanek said.
"With our relocation comes a lot of changes, but we think they will be
positive ones."

One of the biggest changes will be Grade A Plus's budget requirements.

With the move and hopes of expansion in the program, the group's new budget
has been set at $80,000 -- twice what it was last year.

"It is definitely going to be a challenge to meet the budget," Stanek said.
"It is a high budget compared to past years, but that's because we put in
extra expenses and a lot of little things that really add up. ... we need
to cover a lot of expansion in the program and we didn't want to fall short."

The chamber will continue to support Grade A Plus in 2001, allocating
$3,500 to the group, which Stanek said is on par with past years. She said
chamber support has not decreased due to the move from the chamber offices.

Des Moines County's decategorization grant will give the group a big boost
in their budget, granting them $20,000 for 2001. Stanek said Burlington
Area Development Corp. also is continuing to support the group and will
give them $7,000 in the coming year.

Grade A Plus also is a United Way agency and will receive $10,000 in United
Way campaign funding this year. Still, the group is only halfway to meeting
its proposed budget.

Stanek said Grade A Plus board members have discussed requesting more
United Way money next year, but that will be decided later.

In the meantime, board members will be seeking state grants for funding as
well as looking to area businesses for sponsorships and fund-raising.
Stanek said although Grade A Plus is its own organization, she feels there
will be a good connection with the YMCA and the move is a "true
collaborative effort."

Bob Jones, co-chair of the Grade A Plus board of directors, agreed.

"We both focus on youth and the health of the community, so while we are
not affiliated with one another, we will definitely support one another,"
Jones said.

Stanek said Grade A Plus and the chamber were never meant to be lifelong
partners.

"Grade A Plus planned to break off eventually -- it's something that's been
talked about off and on for years," she said. "Now, with the strength of
the organization, we think this is an opportune time."

Now an independent entity, the organization and its volunteers hope to
expand its scope.

The group has gotten off to a good start.

Stanek said their first solo endeavor, hosting Burlington's Rockin' Safe
Eve, was a successful event, widely supported by businesses throughout the
community.

"Our community support has been outstanding in the past and we hope that
continues," she said.

Stanek said Grade A Plus also will become recertified by the state as a
Substance Abuse Free Environment this year, something they have been in the
past, but allowed to lapse. By being certified S.A.F.E., Stanek said the
group will be eligible for some state funding.

Jones said volunteers and board members hope to expand the Grade A Plus
platform, moving toward not only an alcohol- and drug-free community, but a
healthy one.

Having joined forces with the Community Civility Task Force, Jones said,
can only help that process.

"Together we're going to work on new and different ways to educate, inform
and enable people to live healthier lifestyles," Jones said.

Carl Engstrom, Jones's counterpart, said Grade A Plus welcomes the
challenge of going out on its own.

"We do face the challenge of finding our own financing and funding, but
over the years, community support of the program has grown," Engstrom said.