Eastern's SIFE partnership with Blankenburg Elementary was initiated five years ago by Dr. Al Socci as a form of community outreach. Each year, Dr. Socci and a group of SIFE students have spent time working with 5th and 6th grade students at Blankenburg Elementary in West Philadelphia. The group travels to the city once a week to conduct an after-school program, teaching students basic entrepreneurial skills. Aside from conducting business lessons, SIFE members attempt to serve as role models for the students.
Students from the after-school program are given the opportunity to visit Eastern’s main campus twice a year in order to gain a sense of what college is like. To many of the students, attending college seems almost impossible. SIFE encourages students by telling them they have the potential to attend college and offering them financial assistance through its scholarship program. Each year, SIFE sets aside college scholarship money for graduates of the after school program.
We would be using the grant money to assist Blankenburg Elementary in developing a library for student use, which currently, they do not have. Money would be used for books, equipment, supplies, and staff. Please assist us in making their dream of a library come true. Thank You!