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Why
Did We Need LEAD 98?
In 1989, with nearly
20 years of grantmaking behind us, the Community Foundation was contributing
more than one million dollars a year to the causes and concerns of
Muskegon County, yet we continued to see three generations of persistent,
pervasive poverty in our community. Added to that was the fact
that Muskegon had one of the lowest rates of college educated citizenry
of any metropolitan area in Michigan. One question continued
to plague us:
"Why aren't
the children of families who live in poverty using the education
system to advance themselves?"
What
Were the Goals of LEAD 98?
To learn why many
of our community's poorest children and their families are not using
the educational system to lift themselves out of poverty and into productive,
self-sufficient adult lives.
Using the lessons
we learned, to change the way we work so that, when we make grants
and support community projects, we can make a significant difference.
To share our knowledge
with the entire community so that, together, we can change the future
of Muskegon County for the better.
The
Top 10 Lessons Learned from LEAD 98
- Never underestimate
the impact of poverty on a child's psyche, decision making and behavior.
- A long-term promise
of post-secondary tuition is not motivation enough; students need
short-term supports and incentives all along the way.
- Students need
an on-going, reliable relationship with a caring adult whose primary
focus is that individual's success in school.
- The education
system alone cannot guarantee student success. The entire community
must form a partnership to help at-risk students succeed in school
and become self-supporting adult citizens.
- Extended family
members are vitally important in supporting students through times
of crisis and need to be recognized by those who work with students.
- It is difficult
to improve basic academic skills (reading and math) in the later
elementary, junior and high school years; begin earlier.
- Students start
to drop out of school in elementary and middle school years.
- Alternative education
as well as hands-on and job-training programs play an increasingly
crucial role in keeping students connected to education.
- Sometimes dollars
DO make a difference.
- A public school
education is not free.
NEVER
GIVE UP ON A CHILD!
All
students have the potential to lead productive lives.
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