PHOENIX, January 25, 2006 — The Arthur M. Blank
Family Foundation today announced it is awarding more than $2
million in grants to three organizations that are helping high
school students in Phoenix prepare for postsecondary education.
$1.2 million was awarded in the form of partial challenge grants
to be matched locally.
Pathways to Success is a partnership between Carl Hayden Community High School and community groups working together to develop in-school and out-of-school programs that support students as they progress from high school to college and career opportunities. Phoenix is one of three communities in the nation participating in the initiative.
"Pathways to Success is giving more students at Carl Hayden Community High School access to the resources and support services they need to pursue the education and training that can help them achieve their life goals," said Penelope McPhee, president of The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. "Our grants are just a beginning. We're hoping the community can reach out to other funders to make the program sustainable over the long term."
Organizations receiving grants from the Blank Family Foundation are:
- Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation - $2,051,000 over three years
to serve as an intermediary partner by providing resource development
and programming for the Pathways to Success collaborative. The
foundation will also serve as the fiscal agent for Carl Hayden
Community High School, Chicanos por la Causa and Arizona's Children
Association. Carl Hayden Community High School will create a
pilot Sophomore Academy that will provide a smaller, supportive
environment that will help students gain the knowledge and skills
they need to have a successful high school experience.
- The ACE (Achieving a College Education) program will provide selected sophomore students academic and social support as well as assist them in accumulating college credit by their high school graduation.
- A Pathways to Success Saturday School will be developed to offer students an additional day of school focused on instruction in Math and English as well as preparation for the graduation exit exam (AIMS).
- A Pathways Integrated Technology School will be developed to support students who arrive after the school year begins. Using computer based instruction, students will individually study and complete assignments until they have completed the curriculum necessary to enter their assigned grade or class.
- Chicanos por la Causa will manage a summer internship program that will allow students to choose work sites based on career interests.
- An intensive ESL (English as a Second Language) summer course will be offered to students with limited English skills. The course will count for one full credit and run concurrently with regular summer classes.
- Arizona's Children Association will create a Family Education Resource Center for the parents and guardians of Hayden High School students. The center will offer information ranging from standardized test registration to adult ESL classes. Golden Gate will also have staff located at Hayden High School to assist family members who visit the school.
- A Pathways site coordinator based at the Maricopa Community College campus will be responsible for coordinating in- and out-of-school activities. In addition, a new staff person will be hired at Carl Hayden Community High School to implement school site interventions for the Pathways program.
- The Algebra Project - $115,000 to initiate mathematics literacy programs
that serve all three Pathways sites (Atlanta, Bluffton, and
Phoenix) by offering in-school, after-school and summer training
and instruction. The Project will also provide professional
development training for teachers through a two-week summer
institute focused on classroom instruction and teaching methods
as well as train college and high school youth to serve as math
literacy workers for elementary and middle school students.
- FIRST (For Inspiration & Recognition of Science & Technology)
- $75,000 to support the national award-winning Carl Hayden
Community High School robotics team, and assist teams at Pathways
sites in Atlanta and Bluffton, SC.
"These programs will go a long way in helping us make sure all of our students have the guidance and preparation they need to be successful after graduation." said Steve Ybarra, principal of Carl Hayden Community High School. "We thank the Blank Foundation and all of its partners for focusing on our students."
Pathways to Success was created in 2004 to expand educational opportunities by providing high school students the support they need to pursue postsecondary education. It consists of collaborative partnerships that include high schools, community organizations, and higher education institutions in Atlanta, Georgia; Bluffton, South Carolina; and Phoenix, Arizona three communities in which the Blank family has roots.
Formed in 1995, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation is focused on improving early childhood development, enhancing education, preserving green space, sustaining the arts and sparking collaboration among its nonprofit partners, primarily in Atlanta.
Arthur M. Blank is owner & CEO of the Atlanta Falcons and Georgia Force. He co-founded The Home Depot, the world's largest home improvement retailer, in 1978 and retired from the company as co-chairman in 2001. Through his generosity, the foundation, along with Blank and his wife's personal giving, has granted over $220 million to various charitable organizations.
