WE'RE TAKIN' THE D TRAIN TO THE SOUTH BRONX!

BUT NOT WITHOUT YOUR HELP.

WE NEED TO RAISE $14,000 TO TAKE OUR THEATER AND LITERACY PROGRAM TO 2 MIDDLE SCHOOLS IN 1 OF THE 5 POOREST NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE COUNTRY.

Do you remember the first time you got lost in a book?  For me, it wasn't until I was 16, because no one made books come alive for me.  Jaradoa Theater's acting and playwriting program teaches students how to read with passion and helps set free the natural storyteller within them.

Teachers are working hard to empower their students with critical reading and writing skills, but budget cuts and the lack of arts programs in many schools are stacking the odds against them.  Jaradoa supports their efforts by providing both students and teachers with new ways of approaching this task.  By using fun and engaging theatrical techniques, including improv, physical exercises, and performances by guest artists, Jaradoa's Play On! program teaches students to analyze a text like an actor and to apply that skill to their own writing.  These budding actors and playwrights proudly present their very own short plays when the program culminates in a performance at their school.

The money that we raise will enable us to take Play On! to two middle schools in the Bronx, MS 22 and MS 223.

MS 22 FACES MANY CHALLENGES

• -  It was 1 of the 12 most violent schools in NYC in 2004.
• -  It's located in 1 of the 5 poorest districts  in the country.
• -  Only 8.6% of adults have college degrees.
• -  The median income is $19,113.
• -  Over 1/3 of students are English Language Learners.
• -  Only 35% of students met state standards on the English Language Arts Assessment.

BUT THEY ARE OVERCOMING THEM

• -  It is now a safe school with no gang activity.
• -  It made substantial gains in the % of students meeting state standards in both English Language Arts and Mathematics.
• -  Attendance has risen to 93%.
• -  It received a $250,000 grant that is helping to incorporate technology into instruction and partnerships with families. 
• -  It renovated its auditorium, making the balcony fully-operational for the first time in years.

BE A PART OF JARADOA'S D TRAIN QUEST.

DONATE NOW.

Thank you,

April Nickell

Managing Artistic Director

Jaradoa is a 501c3 non-profit company and all donations are tax deductible.

The money raised from this campaign goes toward program costs – 240 hours of instructors' salaries, printing costs for anthology of plays, program packets, curriculum development, final performance costs and administrative costs.

This campaign ends December 21, 2009.