Young Philanthropist Giving Circle – Team #SLSL Raises $2,042 for DC School

 Young Philanthropist Giving (Team #SLSL) Raises $2,042 for a DC School

by Zebedee Williams

(June 4, 2013) Literacy is the building block of all education, so why do most people seem content with 33% of students reading and writing below basic levels of literacy? One Capital Cause Young Philanthropist (YP) Giving Circle – Team Spread Literacy, Spread Light (Team #SLSL) – recently crowd-funded a grant toPotomac Lighthouse Charter School (PLPCS) in order to help decrease the number students struggling to read in the Washington, D.C. area.

With one in every 3 adults in Washington, D.C. being functionally illiterate, the issue of illiteracy is at the forefront of America’s education crisis.  It is vitally important for students to have a firm grasp of reading and writing, because without these skills, attaining any other knowledge is almost impossible. Combating illiteracy in our schools is certain to have an immense impact on decreasing the achievement gap, and will greatly benefit America’s future.

In a grassroots attempt to increase literacy rates among young students, the YP Giving Circles Team #SLSL raised over $2,042 to provide PLPCS with three laptops and a specialized online learning program. During April and May, members of Team #SLSL – Anthony E. Harbour (team lead), Shantae Edwards, Ijeoma Nwatu, and Krishana Davis – activated their professional and social networks to donate between $25 and $100 to buy a “letter”, “function key”, or “spacebar” from an online keyboard. Their hope was that – if they could sell all the keys on the board – they could fully fund their grant. The team reached and exceeded their goal on May 29, 2013.

 

Harbour credits the team’s success through the use of their professional skills, which included: social media marketing, graphic design, journalistic abilities, and direct fundraising knowledge. By synthesizing these skills to bolster support for their cause, Harbour said his team “was truly able to make a difference.” Additionally, he credits the team’s use of unconventional idea of hosting a Game Night at DC’s local Philanthropub as being a primary vehicle to engage young Millennials. Not only did these fun events help generate funds for their cause, but they also raised awareness among local residents about the need for increased literacy.

Because of Team #SLSL’s donation of $2,042, PLPCS will be able to work harder and smarter in their mission to promote literacy to all of its students, 40% of whom are reading below grade level.

Interested in joining or supporting a Young Philanthropist Giving Circles?  Please visit the Projects Page (www.capitalcause.org).