|
Over the last twelve years, the Rotary Club of Oceanside has pursued a multi-year project to bring about meaningful, positive change to an area of our city that has been notorious over the years for gang violence - Crown Heights and surrounding neighborhoods. We have partnered with other non-profit organizations which provide services to the target area as well as with the Oceanside Unified School District, whose Oceanside High School sits at the edge of Crown Heights. This collaboration enables Oceanside Rotary to help these entities by linking their efforts to reduce the attraction of gangs to the young people in the area and to provide them with a new vision of the opportunities for their future. Our primary focus for this grant is on the need to encourage children (K-12th grade) to increase literacy and cultural development, develop leadership skills, envision a pathway to attending college, and avoid gang involvement and gain the education they need to break the cycle of poverty and violence in this local area. Last year we received and successfully executed a District matching grant to support this initiative.
There are three elements to this project:
(1) Elementary School Age Reading Incentives
(2) Middle School Age Reading Incentives
(3) High School Reading, Graduation, and Advancement Incentives
Elementary School Age Reading Incentives
Laurel Elementary School and Mission Elementary School, Title 1 (low income) schools, both serve children in the Crown Heights area. As part of a well-balanced literacy program, school administrators and teachers will incentivize reading and improved reading by celebrating and rewarding students throughout the year. Administrators from both schools have told us that some of their students have no access to books at home: their only exposure to reading is at school and with library books. With this grant Oceanside Rotary Club will fund the purchase of library books and reading incentives at both Laurel and Mission Elementary Schools; as appropriate club members will participate in award ceremonies.
Budget: $875 for Laurel Elementary library books and library programs
$875 for Mission Elementary library books and library programs
Timeline: Funding will be provided near the beginning of the school year
Middle School Age Reading Incentives
Lincoln Middle School, a Title 1 (low income) school, serves children in the Crown Heights area. As part of a well-balanced literacy program, school administrators and teachers will incentivize reading and improved reading by celebrating and rewarding students throughout the year. Administrators from Lincoln have told us that some of their students have no access to books at home: their only exposure to reading is at school and with library books. With this grant Oceanside Rotary Club will fund the purchase of library books and reading incentives at Lincoln Middle School; as appropriate club members will participate in award ceremonies.
Budget: $1000 for Lincoln Middle School library books and library programs
Timeline: Funding will be provided near the beginning of the school year
High-School Reading, Graduation, and Advancement Incentives
This grant will provide support to Oceanside High School graduates who participate in the Lifeline Community Services program designed for Crown Heights students: every year the Oceanside Rotary club donates funds to support the graduation incentives established by Lifeline - a lei made out of fifty $1 bills.
As with the elementary and middle school libraries, discussions with Oceanside High School administrators have indicated that access to library books is just as important to High School students as it is to the younger grades, so this grant will also supply funds for library books to Oceanside High School.
Launched in Fall 2021, the Oceanside Chamber's Rising Star Student of the Month Program was created to recognize and celebrate high school seniors who have overcome significant life challenges while remaining committed to their education. These inspiring students exemplify resilience, determination, and hope for the future. This program is sponsored by the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce. Our club will provide scholarships and members will have the opportunity to meet with the students monthly in person to discuss their progress and offer motivation. Club members will be involved in the selection of the seniors who will receive funds.
Interact Mentorship: Our members will attend meetings with the Interact Club at Oceanside High, offering them guidance with leadership and community involvement. The club will support them in their fundraising efforts. Grant funds will be used for meals, transportation, and supplies.
Budget: $ 500 for High School graduation incentive $50 leis
$ 750 for OHS library books
$1000 for Rising Star Scholarship and Mentorship program
$1000 for Interact Mentorship program
Timeline: The fifty $1 Leis will be presented to OHS students upon graduation, with representation from our Rotary Club at the ceremony. The library books will be made available to Oceanside High School administrators early in the school year for use during the year. Rising Star scholarship funds will be made available early in the school year. Interact funds will be used throughout the school year.
| 
