The 7th Annual Reading Room Initiative Fundraiser is Another Huge Success

Published:06/14/2016 | Posted by StevenDouglas

StevenDouglas is delighted to announce another successful fundraising campaign year for the Jason Taylor Reading Room, a comprehensive, after-school program addressing academic challenges among inner-city youth, particularly in the areas of literacy. Campaign Chair and StevenDouglas CEO, Steve Sadaka, has worked closely with the Jason Taylor Foundation for the last seven years to raise funds to help grow this vital community program.

The 2016 campaign successfully raised more than $240, 000, which brings the seven year total to over $1, 200, 000. This year’s activities included two exclusive events where those who donated $1, 000 or more, the cost for one child to participate in the program per school year, were invited to attend and meet Jason Taylor and other donors and supporters. The additional funds raised above operating costs of $40, 000 will be applied directly to college scholarships as part of the Jason Taylor Foundation’s partnership with Take Stock in Children.

“We have seen the impact this program has had on kids over the last seven years who have gone on to college and established great careers, ” said Steve Sadaka “We want to continue to provide these opportunities to the next generation of deserving kids and are very grateful to all who helped make this year’s campaign successful.”

The program currently has more than 100 middle school and high school students participating four days a week for 2 hours each day across two locations. The focus is on improving reading and writing skills, but also offers a math component, individualized computer assisted learning and homework support, along with mentorship and positive life skills. The “Read to Succeed” initiative also encompasses a Spoken Word Poetry program at the Reading Room, where students have the opportunity to utilize the skills they’ve learned as a vehicle of self-expression, both written and through performance. The program has flourished and to date, more than 50 schools across South Florida actively participate in the Foundation’s bluapple Poetry Network.

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