A draft press release from a non-profit I cofounded, Community Promise. If you’re interested, we can help your community as well.
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We are about to make a stunning promise to local high school students, and we need your help.
The Problem:
Our communities are suffering historically large high school dropout rates. The official high school dropout rates hover between 20-30%. The unofficial rates are even higher. High school dropouts could earn 50% more as graduates and 200% more as college graduates. In addition to these wage differences, the latest studies show that each year’s “class” of high school dropouts costs California $46B in incremental social services and lost wages over their lifetime. We want to help fix this.
Our Promise:
+++IF YOU GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL, WE WILL PAY YOUR CALIFORNIA COLLEGE TUITION+++
. . . and our promise to the community is that we can do that for just a $50 parcel tax.
The benefits are clear:
1) For students, a major barrier to high school graduation and college attendance is removed. High school graduation and college attendance increases, which in turn increases individual salaries and opens opportunities for employment in an increasingly competitive global economy.
2) For the taxpayer, better property values. People want to live in and are willing to pay for a community with this program. Kalamazoo, Michigan’s property values have remained flat over the last 12 months, while most of the US is down 20%, including our local neighborhoods.
Huh? How can we do that?
We’ve structured a program that can pay off students’ college tuition. All this benefit for just a $50 parcel tax per year. I’m not a huge fan of taxes. Who is? But this one is more than just a social benefit. It has a clear, selfish economic benefit. Which do you think will increase property values more: 2 cans of paint for your white picket fence or this unique feature of your community?
Who is covered?
We’re starting in the Sequoia Union High School District. But after we’re successful there, we’re expanding to your community. Feel free to contact us for technical assistance and support
Who is “we”?
“We” are Community Promise, a non-profit modeled after a successful program in Kalamazoo, Michigan (www.kalamazoopromise.com) that has already been working in the school district to improve educational outcomes.
What can I do?
Suggested tax-deductible donations are:
$100 – Supporter
$250 – Believer
$1,000 + – Leader
Please make your donation at www.cpromise.org.
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