MeckEd is Addressing the Opportunity Gap
Charlotte Next, a program of MeckEd, a nonprofit intermediary, is working to close the opportunity gap by providing funding to five Out of School Time providers who will serve 200 Charlotte Mecklenburg middle school students at Albemarie Road Middle School, James Martin Middle School, and Sedgefield Middle School beginning in fall 2018. The schools were selected in collaboration with district leadership and based upon geographic needs, achievement data, and attendance data.
Charlotte, NC, September 13, 2018 --(PR.com)-- Charlotte Next, a program of MeckEd, a nonprofit intermediary, is working to close the opportunity gap by providing funding to five Out of School Time providers who will serve 200 Charlotte Mecklenburg middle school students at Albemarie Road Middle School, James Martin Middle School, and Sedgefield Middle School beginning in fall 2018. The schools were selected in collaboration with district leadership and based upon geographic needs, achievement data, and attendance data. The programs were selected to receive funding participated in a rigorous and competitive review process. They are: Firm Foundations, Girls on the Run Charlotte and Let Me Run of Greater Charlotte, Shakespeare in a Chair, and Soy Latino Como Tu. Together, they will receive a total of $110,000 in funding to begin serving 6thgrade students in September 2018. The funds were made available through a generous grant from the Gambrell Foundation.
Based on the Wallace Foundation’s report, “The Value of Out-of-School Time Programs” published in November 2017, the highest income families spend almost seven times more on enrichment activities for their children than the lowest income families. MeckEd believes that this spending gap creates an opportunity gap and that the combination of programs to be provided at each school will represent an important step toward closing that gap. The programs will foster cultural awareness, cultivate literacy through the arts, promote teen and family self-sufficiency, and support healthy and active lifestyles.
“The data is clear. When communities increase school attendance and graduation rates, while engaging students in interesting extracurricular experiences, they increase opportunity and ultimately generate upward mobility,” said Dr. Ross Danis, MeckEd’s president.
About MeckEd
Mecked’s missionis to ensure that all young people in Mecklenburg county public schools have the knowledge, skills, and experiences that lead to successful and productive lives.
About Charlotte Next
The goal of Charlotte Next is to increase the number of students in 6-8 grades, who are currently attending Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) most challenged schools, participating in high quality Out of School Time programs.
Firm Foundation | www.firmfoundationsinc.org | info@firmfoundations.org
Firm Foundations Youth & Family Outreach, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that aims to become recognized as an effective provider of services that Educate, Expose and Empower youth and families. Birthed out of the belief that if a strong foundation is built, a person is capable of withstanding the obstacles that many face throughout their life span, at Firm Foundations Youth & Family Outreach, Inc. they seek to provide individuals with what is needed to be confident of succeeding in life.
Girls on the Run Charlotte | www.gotrcharlotte.org| chanson@girlsontherun.org
Heart & Sole is Girls on the Run’s middle school program that meets the unique needs of girls in 6th-8thgrade. The program considers the whole girl – body, brain, heart, spirit and social connection – in a positive, structured space where girls can learn about themselves, explore new ideas, cultivate empathy and strengthen connections. Running is incorporated into each lesson to encourage physical wellness and teach life skills such as team building, creating a support system standing up for themselves and others and decision making. The girls prepare for a celebratory 5k event at the end of the program. This non-competitive event fosters goal setting and a sense of confidence through accomplishment to last a lifetime.
Let Me Run Charlotte | http://www.letmerun.org/region/greater-charlotte-area| jays@letmerun.org
Let Me Run is a nonprofit wellness program that inspires boys to be themselves, be active, and belong. With a comprehensive curriculum that applies the power of running, the program encourages boys to develop their psychological, emotional and social health, in addition to their physical health.
Twice a week for seven weeks, two trained volunteer coaches lead an elementary or middle school team through practice. Designed to amplify confidence, self-expression, and respect for others, each practice includes a lesson from the Let Me Run curriculum that incorporates running, games and activities. Each fall and spring season culminates in a 5k race festival that celebrates the boys’ personal growth.
Shakespeare in a Chair | https://www.facebook.com/shakespeareinachair
“Shakespeare in a Chair” is an innovative reading literacy program for youth ages 10 - 13 years old. The program which launched in April of 2014 focuses on extensive group study, role play and recital of one predetermined Shakespeare play. The goals of “Shakespeare in a Chair” are to:develop an appreciation of great literature, enhance critical thinking and oratorical skills, provide a vehicle for creative and artistic expression, enhance reading comprehension skills, and build self-confidence.
Soy Latino Como Tu | http://soylatinocomotu.org/mision/ | admin@soylatinocomotu.org
To promote the inclusion of young children from different nationalities with the goal to better understand the diverse cultures from Latin America, including Spain, while also seeking to improve intercultural relations and lower racial discrimination within school and society. Increase the connection between the new generations of children born in the United States with their parents’ native background through the Root Trip.Aspiring to achieve a global vision in which enriches their quality of education and personal growth through leadership workshops and social engagement.
Contact:
Ross Danis, President | rdanis@mecked.org
Rashaan Peek, Director of Organizational Affairs | rpeek@mecked.org
Phone: 704-335-0100
Based on the Wallace Foundation’s report, “The Value of Out-of-School Time Programs” published in November 2017, the highest income families spend almost seven times more on enrichment activities for their children than the lowest income families. MeckEd believes that this spending gap creates an opportunity gap and that the combination of programs to be provided at each school will represent an important step toward closing that gap. The programs will foster cultural awareness, cultivate literacy through the arts, promote teen and family self-sufficiency, and support healthy and active lifestyles.
“The data is clear. When communities increase school attendance and graduation rates, while engaging students in interesting extracurricular experiences, they increase opportunity and ultimately generate upward mobility,” said Dr. Ross Danis, MeckEd’s president.
About MeckEd
Mecked’s missionis to ensure that all young people in Mecklenburg county public schools have the knowledge, skills, and experiences that lead to successful and productive lives.
About Charlotte Next
The goal of Charlotte Next is to increase the number of students in 6-8 grades, who are currently attending Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) most challenged schools, participating in high quality Out of School Time programs.
Firm Foundation | www.firmfoundationsinc.org | info@firmfoundations.org
Firm Foundations Youth & Family Outreach, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that aims to become recognized as an effective provider of services that Educate, Expose and Empower youth and families. Birthed out of the belief that if a strong foundation is built, a person is capable of withstanding the obstacles that many face throughout their life span, at Firm Foundations Youth & Family Outreach, Inc. they seek to provide individuals with what is needed to be confident of succeeding in life.
Girls on the Run Charlotte | www.gotrcharlotte.org| chanson@girlsontherun.org
Heart & Sole is Girls on the Run’s middle school program that meets the unique needs of girls in 6th-8thgrade. The program considers the whole girl – body, brain, heart, spirit and social connection – in a positive, structured space where girls can learn about themselves, explore new ideas, cultivate empathy and strengthen connections. Running is incorporated into each lesson to encourage physical wellness and teach life skills such as team building, creating a support system standing up for themselves and others and decision making. The girls prepare for a celebratory 5k event at the end of the program. This non-competitive event fosters goal setting and a sense of confidence through accomplishment to last a lifetime.
Let Me Run Charlotte | http://www.letmerun.org/region/greater-charlotte-area| jays@letmerun.org
Let Me Run is a nonprofit wellness program that inspires boys to be themselves, be active, and belong. With a comprehensive curriculum that applies the power of running, the program encourages boys to develop their psychological, emotional and social health, in addition to their physical health.
Twice a week for seven weeks, two trained volunteer coaches lead an elementary or middle school team through practice. Designed to amplify confidence, self-expression, and respect for others, each practice includes a lesson from the Let Me Run curriculum that incorporates running, games and activities. Each fall and spring season culminates in a 5k race festival that celebrates the boys’ personal growth.
Shakespeare in a Chair | https://www.facebook.com/shakespeareinachair
“Shakespeare in a Chair” is an innovative reading literacy program for youth ages 10 - 13 years old. The program which launched in April of 2014 focuses on extensive group study, role play and recital of one predetermined Shakespeare play. The goals of “Shakespeare in a Chair” are to:develop an appreciation of great literature, enhance critical thinking and oratorical skills, provide a vehicle for creative and artistic expression, enhance reading comprehension skills, and build self-confidence.
Soy Latino Como Tu | http://soylatinocomotu.org/mision/ | admin@soylatinocomotu.org
To promote the inclusion of young children from different nationalities with the goal to better understand the diverse cultures from Latin America, including Spain, while also seeking to improve intercultural relations and lower racial discrimination within school and society. Increase the connection between the new generations of children born in the United States with their parents’ native background through the Root Trip.Aspiring to achieve a global vision in which enriches their quality of education and personal growth through leadership workshops and social engagement.
Contact:
Ross Danis, President | rdanis@mecked.org
Rashaan Peek, Director of Organizational Affairs | rpeek@mecked.org
Phone: 704-335-0100
Contact
MeckEd
Rashaan Peek
704-335-0100
www.mecked.org
Rashaan Peek
704-335-0100
www.mecked.org
Contact
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