Jason Taylor Reading Room 2016 Campaign Kickoff in February

Published:01/28/2016 | Posted by StevenDouglas

StevenDouglas is partnering with The Jason Taylor Foundation with the “Read to Succeed Initiative” for the seventh year in a row after an unbelievably successful fundraising season last year. The initiative’s aim is to garner contributions from South Florida businesses and community members to support the Jason Taylor Reading Room, an after-school program designed to address academic challenges among inner-city youth.

The Jason Taylor Reading Room’s primary goal is to enable middle and high school students to improve their literacy skills. Students are assisted in vocabulary development, reading comprehension, language arts, creative writing skills, oral reading fluency, novel study, and ninety minutes of weekly mathematics instruction per grade level. More than 120 students attend these two hour after-school classes 4 days a week that are led by certified teachers and teachers’ aides. The expertly-designed program has helped hundreds of students over the last nine years- and it continues to grow, including a second Reading Room location that was piloted last school year and is currently thriving.

Since its launch in 2010, the “Read to Succeed Initiative” has raised over $1, 000, 000 for the program making it possible for the foundation to expand its offerings. A Spoken Word Poetry program is now offered in 60 public schools across South Florida that encourages students to connect on a weekly basis, empowering them and utilizing the critical literacy skills they have learned as a vehicle for self-expression. In addition, over $140, 000 has been raised towards college scholarships, student advocacy, and mentorship.

Steve Sadaka, StevenDouglas Chairman and CEO, originally launched the initiative and year after year he rallies committee members who are dedicated to seeing change in their community. Sadaka quoted “After reaching this milestone of over $1, 000, 000 contributions for children in our community, we’re more motivated than ever. There is nothing more important than ensuring our children have every opportunity afforded to them to succeed. It’s great to see this foundation affecting real change.”
Committee members of the program are seeking generous donors to make $1, 000 (or greater) contributions; which is the cost per child to participate in the Reading Room for an entire school year. Any money raised above what it costs to operate the Reading Room will be allocated towards college scholarships. Donors who contribute $1, 000 or more will be invited to two exclusive events hosted by Jason Taylor.