Today is the day that makes this blog 366 Random Acts of Kindness rather than 365 Random Acts of Kindness. It is Leap Day. Like the Olympics, Presidential Elections and the White Sox making the playoffs, Leap Day only happens once every four years. Something else that happens once in four years? Graduating from high school. However, in inner city high schools across many major cities here in the United States, graduating in four years (or in many cases graduating at all) only happens around 50% of the time.
Since 1988, Leap Learning Systems has been providing high school students with the literacy and reading skills necessary to be able to graduate high school. Their programs help students within "at-risk" high schools gain the language and communication skills needed to succeed in college and/or the workforce. So today, for my random act of kindness, I am donating to Leap (which is a non-profit program) in order to help high school students make sure that, like leap day, graduation happens within a 4 year span.
Clever tie-in. But I'm pretty sure that high school drop-out rates are less than 50%. Actually, about 70% of American high schoolers graduated in 2011 and experts are saying that this number is climbing. On a national scale, though. http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/03/how-u-s-graduation-rates-compare-with-the-rest-of-the-world/
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong--I am a firm believer in high school education, and I really would like my peers to be able to have the same opportunities as me. So, thumbs up for you! :)
Thank you for reaching out. The statistic I found was in regards to inner city high schools in America's Top 50 metropolitan areas. So, while it is awesome that the rate is climbing overall, there is still a tough hill to climb within inner city schools.
DeleteThis organization makes me think of a nonprofit in Northeast Ohio, Girls With Sole, that provides at-risk and abused girls and young women the area support through fitness programs. Getting these girls involved in fitness-based goals gives them a medium to heal, empower themselves, and build confidence.
ReplyDeleteAdd Leap and GWS together and you essentially get what a school is intended to do...education and physical activity in a safe and empowering environment.
Kind of seems ironic that it takes supplementing school programs to achieve a necessary service for these kids.
Such a great idea, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a way to make the extra day extra special.
ReplyDeleteWarmest regards,
Ruby
I love what you do. (:
ReplyDeleteExcellent cause to donate to...every little bit counts.
ReplyDeletePlease check out my giveaway to support my sister as she bikes 110 miles along side wounded veterans! http://flyingfarandfree.blogspot.com/