100 Women Who Care donates $26,500 to Soar Detroit
Recent reading results for Detroit Public Schools (2013) show that only 14 percent of third-graders read at grade level; 27 percent of Detroit fourth-graders tested at or above basic reading levels. Soar Detroit, a nonprofit literacy program, is working to boost those stats. With focused one-on-one literacy coaches, Soar students improve their reading by an average of 2.4 grade levels in just one year of afterschool tutoring, dramatically improving their ability to learn in every subject and increasing their chances of finishing school.
Inspired by the success of these educational programs, 265 members of 100 Women Who Care – Greater Rochester pulled out their checkbooks and each member wrote a $100 check to Soar Detroit to support these hands-on literacy initiatives. 100 Women Who Care presented those checks—in the total of $26,500—to Emily Stadt, development director for Soar Detroit and member of 100 Women Who Care.
“When a child enters the fourth grade reading below grade level, it sets them on the path of frustration and most likely failure. Statistics show that these children have a 78 percent chance of NOT catching up. When entering the fourth grade, children are no longer learning to read, they are reading to learn. Illiteracy then impacts all areas of learning, including math, science, and social studies,” said Stadt. “This donation will help us provide more tutors for more students, which equates to great future success—in academics and in life.”
Stadt pitched this charity idea to 100 Women Who Care, a group that seeks to support local charities with very direct and basic needs. The group takes pride in its no-frills approach to direct giving. They met (for the 17th time since their inception) in August, 2017. At that meeting, like all others, the 100 Women Who Care committed one hour of time to listen to three charity “pitches.” After a quick vote, each woman there agreed to the majority-rules philosophy, and wrote a $100 check directly to the winning charity.
“We are so proud to directly improve the futures of these children in need,” said Amy Whipple, 100 Women co-founder. “By improving reading scores, we are improving their confidence, their academic success, future professionalism, and their overall quality of life. The women of greater Rochester are proud to support Soar Detroit.”
For more information on the 100 Women Who Care group, visit their website.