Click here to read on-going columns, addresses and articles authored by IPM's Executive Director, Joseph F. Cistone.
Shining Scholars
United States
Shining Scholars
Project Coordinator:
John Terry and Kaye Parvis
Project Overview:
Shining Scholars (Boot Heel, MO, USA) provides financial support, guidance counseling, and community service opportunities to middle and high school age youth of the Boot Heel region of Missouri, an impoverished area of the state. Students who receive this type of support are more likely to finish high school and pursue higher education. As a result of the program’s efforts, many students are now attending college. One program participant commented, “I have just completed my first year of college at Maryville University in St. Louis, majoring in Occupational Therapy. Being part of such a magnificent program gave me the extra push and confidence I need to succeed in my dream of attending college.” In order to remain in the program, students must retain a GPA of 3.5 or above.
Recent Accomplishments:
Students helped pack food boxes for the elderly
Cleaned up the local park and planted community gardens
Students wrote letters of appreciation to their parents and grandparents
Number of People Directly Served by Project:
30 youth, age 14-18
Number of People Indirectly Served by Project:
150 parents and grandparents participate in 2 community services per year
Goals for 2010:
Educate mothers about the importance of child nutrition
Hire approximately half of hte students to work during the summer months
Provide one balanced meal each day
Plant more gardens around the community
IPM Funding Goal for 2010:
$4,000
Community Impact:
"One young grade school student was deeply encouraged when he was asked to help. He had never been allowed to work on any community project. He learned how to make a garden and was allowed to make one at his home for his family. He learned how to work, as well as the joy of sharing. He expressed how good he felt about the project."
How your donation may be put to use:
$300 provides a monthly stipend for one low-income student