Learning for Success, Inc. receives grant from Community Foundation of Broward for My Future Is Now

Learning for Success, Inc. receives grant from Community Foundation of Broward for My Future Is Now

Lauderhill McDonald’s owner and My Future Is Now Volunteer Rod Hagan working with Dillard High School 6-12 middle school math students during a lesson about teamwork.

Students reading: Dillard High School 6-12 8th graders study career course offerings during a field trip the Nova Southeastern University Campus.
 

      FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Learning for Success, Inc. has received a grant of $65,000 for the My Future Is Now (MFIN) project serving middle school students attending Dillard High School six-12 this fall. This project is made possible by a grant from the Mary and Alex Mackenzie Community Impact Fund of the Community Foundation of Broward through its School Is Cool Initiative.

Learning for Success will use the grant to train teachers, staff, and volunteers to help students connect what they are learning in school with their vision for the future.

The project will also include career awareness and workplace skills lessons and field trips for students, teachers and parents to workplaces for real world experiences and to connect with businesses and the community.

Now in its third year, MFIN students have improved reading, math, and state test scores, as well as their attendance and behavior, based on specific objectives for the project. Opportunities such as a field trip to Nova Southeastern University have encouraged MFIN students to plan to attend college and pursue professional careers.

School is Cool aims to increase Broward’s graduation rate to 90 percent by focusing on middle school success. “Everyone loses when a student drops out of school,” said John Casbarro, president of Learning for Success, Inc., “This project will improve student performance and reduce the number of high school dropouts by changing the way students experience school.”

The Foundation has invested a total of $2.6 million for solutions created by partnerships between nonprofits and fifteen middle schools over the past two years. “School is Cool is about helping to change the culture in schools and foster innovation and strong partnerships between schools, non-profits, and community stakeholders,” said Community Foundation of Broward’s Vice-President of Grants and Initiatives, Sheri Brown.

For more information about the Community Foundation of Broward, visit cfbroward.org or call (954) 761-9503.