Disclosure: This post was sponsored by The Pittsburgh Promise, although all thoughts and opinions are completely my own.
The thought of a child being at a disadvantage is something that breaks my heart, especially when it is at an educational disadvantage. The minds of children have so much promise, but unless those minds are nourished they will never flourish. If a child doesn’t get the high quality education that they deserve might we be missing out on the next great doctor, judge, scientist, researcher, or even public servant.
Thankfully, the Pittsburgh Promise believes in these students. The Promise seeks to promote the reform of public schools so that our young people are prepared for successful and meaningful lives. This sort of reform doesn’t come without cost though. The Pittsburgh Promise must raise $250 million in order to fund scholarships for students who graduate from Pittsburgh Public Schools.
This year on October 18, The Pittsburgh Promise has organized a grassroots fundraising walk called Walk for One Promise. This walk, which will be lead by The Pittsburgh Promise’s executive director, will take a group of approximately 75 impassioned teachers, parents, alumni, and community members on a 13 mile, city-wide pilgrimage to support The Pittsburgh Promise and Pittsburgh’s kids. These walkers are promoting the message that together we must link elbows around all of our kids to ensure that their lives, which are so full of promise, are also full of opportunity.
In order to celebrate the achievements of the walkers, The Pittsburgh Promise is organizing a Cookout and Community Celebration at the finish line. The entire city of Pittsburgh is invited! This is a free community event which will take place on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 1:30 at the Sci Tech Academy in Oakland (107 Thackeray Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15260). The event will feature free hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie dogs, and walking tacos, as well as two bouncy houses, a balloon artist, high school band performances, a DJ, and other games and activities.
This is a wonderful opportunity to say thank you to those who work tirelessly to raise both funds and awareness for the Pittsburgh Promise, as well as to celebrate the achievement of the walkers who just completed the 13 mile walk.
Every child deserves a chance. It is now our chance to challenge and overcome the culture of low expectations that often permeates urban schools with the belief that inside every child is a promise, and with the appropriate care, effort, and needed resources, that promise will undoubtedly be fulfilled.
If you are a Pittsburgh Public School student, or the parent of one, check out The Pittsburgh Promise website to learn more about how you can receive up to a $40,000 scholarship for college or trade school.
This is a rain or shine event. In the event of rain, activities will be held under tents. For more information, you can call The Promise office at 412-281-7638 or by e-mailing Lauren@pittsburghpromise.org.
