Frederick Douglass, an abolitionist leader and author, once famously wrote “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men” – a wise reminder of why we prioritize some of our grant giving to nonprofits that help children. Childhood intervention programs have benefits that expand exponentially as the child gets older. What happens in childhood matters for a lifetime. We’re excited to help support a few of the nonprofits whose work is changing the trajectory of children’s lives in so many ways.
Early Literacy
A study by the American Educational Research Association found that a student who can’t read on grade level by 3rd grade is four times less likely to graduate high school by age 19 than a child who does read proficiently by that time. When you add poverty to the mix, a student is 13 times less likely to graduate on time or at all. This research has been replicated many times. Two of our grantees are doing their part to change that path for students in the early elementary years.
The Reading Team in New York City describes the hallmark of their programs as being early intervention, “before a lack of success in school dampens the children’s inherent enthusiasm for learning.” They focus on children from PreK through Grade 5. They’ve had great success. Here’s a quote from their website:
The Reading Team’s program is closing the reading gap for children in Harlem. In a community with an average pass rate on the New York State English Language Arts exam of 30%, and a city where the pass rate is barely 50%, fully 80% of Reading Team students consistently pass the exam.
Phillips Charitable Foundation (PCF) awarded The Reading Team with a $20,000 grant to help fund the important work they are doing in New York.
Start the Adventure in Reading (STAIR) in Annapolis Maryland works closely with educators and reading specialists in Anne Arundel County Public Schools to identify second graders currently reading below grade level. As they state on their website, “through second grade, children learn to read; after second grade, they read to learn.” STAIR Annapolis has a team of over 200 volunteers at 12 locations, helping students gain great self-confidence and improve academic readiness.
PCF awarded STAIR Annapolis with a $25,000 grant to help fund the growing needs in local public schools. There is widespread agreement that the disruption of education due to COVID has exacerbated an already challenging literacy problem. This is our second grant to STAIR and we are confident they will have continuing success.
Preschool Intervention
A Child’s Haven in South Carolina starts intervention services at an even younger age than literacy programs. Services begin in early preschool years. A Child’s Haven treats children with developmental delays as a result of limited resources in the home, abuse, or neglect. A quote from their website explains this well.
For children with behavioral, social, or emotional challenges, success in a mainstream childcare program and entering kindergarten “ready to learn” can be difficult. A Child’s Haven’s early interventions address the mental health needs of these precious children and their caregivers. By healing the child and strengthening the family unit, their future and our community have the potential to be remarkably reshaped!
Early childhood intervention is arguably one of the best ways to improve the chances of children growing up to be emotionally healthy adults with the best possible chances for success in life. PCF awarded A Child’s Haven with a $20,000 grant to help fund their continuing intervention programs.
Congratulations to these three nonprofit organizations. Their staff and volunteers are each doing their part to mitigate the factors that place innocent children at risk of negative outcomes in the future. As with most things, catching a problem early is key. We are honored to support these efforts.
