The Glades Education Foundation was awarded a 2018 Community Impact Grant from the Southwest Florida Community Foundation for $40,000 to continue financing the AVID about Success program. The Glades Education Foundation was one of 20 local nonprofits awarded grants from the community foundation’s Field of Interest funds given by donors in their estate plans for specific causes. This year, the Southwest Florida Community Foundation awarded over $539,000 to both established and new programs that are designed to increase the quality of life in sustainable and equitable ways for Southwest Floridians.
The Glades Education Foundation joins other nonprofits that were also awarded Community Impact Grants, such as: Center for Progress and Excellence, Florida Gulf Coast University and the Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation, Florida Department of Health in Charlotte, Family Health Centers of SWFL, Valerie’s House, Keep Lee County Beautiful, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast, Gulf Coast Partnership, Keiser University, Women’s Foundation of SWFL, Legal Aid Services of Collier County, Capital Good Fund, The Heights Center, Lee County Alliance for the Arts, Jewish Family and Community Services, Family Initiative Incorporated, LARC Inc. and Lee County Domestic Animal Services.
“We are so pleased to welcome this amazing group of nonprofits to our 2018 tribe,” said Sarah Owen, Southwest Florida Community Foundation president and CEO. “These relationships are true partnerships, and we are grateful to our donors that make these grants possible. Generous people who care deeply about the region want to be certain that nonprofits serving their causes have the resources they need to create change and opportunity in Southwest Florida.”
AVID, which stands for Achievement Via Individual Determination, is a research-based program that provides career and college-readiness skills, college planning and tutoring to students who need additional assistance to meet their goals. AVID’s stated mission is “to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society.” AVID strategies are being taught in fourth through 10th grades at Moore Haven Elementary School, West Glades School, Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School and Moore Haven Middle High School.
During the elementary grades, students are taught ways to become better organized learners through the use of a regimented binder system with learning materials close at hand. AVID becomes an elective during the middle and high school years, when students have to apply to be part of the program.
Potential AVID students should be willing to work hard, challenge themselves with advanced-placement and honors classes, and be ready to get on the college track to make their dreams a reality. Once they are accepted in the program, students learn more about organizational skills, note-taking, collaborating with peers and tutoring from peers and college students for difficult subjects. Middle and high school students also visit college campuses and learn about financial aid for college and how to navigate the college application process. “AVID is not just another program … at its heart, AVID is a philosophy: Hold students accountable to the highest standards, provide academic and social support, and they will rise to the challenge.” (avid.org)
The Glades Education Foundation, established in 2013, is striving to have enough teachers trained through the AVID Summer Institute program for AVID strategies to be implemented districtwide. The Glades Education Foundation supports AVID and many other enrichment programs for the Glades County School District, including literacy programs, classroom grants, technology funding and support of cultural endeavors. For more information, visit gladeseducationfoundation.org.
The Southwest Florida Community Foundation, founded in 1976, cultivates regional change for the common good through collective leadership, social innovation and philanthropy to address the evolving community needs in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties. The foundation partners with individuals, families and corporations who have created more than 400 philanthropic funds. Thanks to them, the foundation invested $5.4 million in grants and programs to the community.
With assets of $115 million, it has provided more than $71 million in grants and scholarships to the communities it serves since inception. The foundation is the backbone organization for the regional FutureMakers Coalition and Lee County’s Sustainability Plan. Currently, the Southwest Florida Community Foundation’s regional headquarters are located off College Parkway in South Fort Myers, with satellite offices located on Sanibel Island, in LaBelle (Hendry County) and downtown Fort Myers.