Thanks to the Million Dollar Pledge, youth in our region are doing better in school – even during the summer.
The Million Dollar Pledge is a group of business leaders in the region that together have committed $1 million over 10 years to invest in improving academic outcomes for children and youth.
With guidance from United Way, they contribute to programs that have helped more than 650 young people maintain or improve their achievement in school, including programs dedicated to assisting youth over the summer holiday period.
Recently, we shared that all youth attending the Summer Brain Gain program with BGC Greater Saint John improved or maintained their literacy and numeracy levels over the summer.
And in Charlotte County, 94 per cent of youth enrolled in a tutoring program at Milltown Elementary School improved their reading levels, while 72 per cent of young students attending the Summer Slide program maintained their numeracy levels.
And that’s not all. Some 99 per cent of youth regularly attending programs at the Teen Resource Centre in Saint John are on track to graduate high school on time.
“These are inspiring results. That’s very important to us, knowing that our support is making a difference. But we can also see it – I’ve visited classrooms where these programs are changing lives,” says Dave Veale, CEO of Vision Coaching, one of the companies that founded the Million Dollar Pledge.
“I’m grateful to the United Way and the other members of the Million Dollar Pledge for their commitment to a way of giving that allows community-minded companies to give in a way that magnifies the impact of our support,” Dave says. “We can do that thanks to the sound advice, knowledge and support of the United Way.”
The dedication of these business leaders and their organizations to seeing young people in our region succeed is inspiring. Our hats off to Vision Coaching, Mrs. Dunster’s/Kredl’s, Hemmings House Pictures, Teed Saunders Doyle, Dominos, Sunny Corner Enterprises, Scott McCain and two anonymous donors.
If you or your organization are interested in more information about the Million Dollar Pledge or in becoming a member, please visit the Pledge website.