You could create a community on the dreams of second-graders at Lidgerwood Elementary School.
Jordan wants to be a teacher.
Titus wants to be a doctor.
Dane wants to help the earth.
And there's a Spokane group that wants to help them succeed.
After years of organizing, Reach for the Future announced in September that it was adopting Lidgerwood's class of 2020. These adults are mentoring the 50 north Spokane students and will provide tutors throughout their school years. And when the Lidgerwood students graduate from high school, Reach for the Future will pay for college tuition.
The entire effort could cost $1.5 million. STCU is donating $25,000 over a period of five years.
"We applaud the Samaritans who have taken on this challenge, as well as the educators and parents who are assuring that Lidgerwood students live up to their full potential," said STCU President and CEO Steve Dahlstrom.
Joey wants to be a scientist.
Maggie wants to be a country singer.
Some parents were stunned when they learned of the group's generosity. Others said they had feared that sending their kids to college would be out of reach. Among American families earning $36,000 a year or less, only about 9 percent of kids get college degrees.
Reach for the Future cites statistics showing that children who expect to attend college are less likely to become pregnant, use drugs, or be arrested. One recent study showed that adults with college degrees are more likely to vote and become volunteers, and less likely to smoke or spend time in prison.
Brenna wants to build a veterinarian college for people like Destiny, who wants to be an animal doctor.
Among the adults making a difference at Lidgerwood are the Lunch Buddies, which includes STCU employees Brandy Schloss, Nicole Butler, and Tascha Dempsey.
"My lunch buddy has the same first name as me, and we just discovered she has the same middle name," said Butler, who works at STCU's Main Branch. "She talks about what they're doing in art class, and about her friends.
"It's just really wonderful to know that I'm making a difference."
Alyson wants to be a fashion designer.
Luke wants to be a paleontologist.
Neice Schafer, a Reach for the Future founder, said students made academic strides during the first year of the program, and the adults were inspired by the kids' energy and effort. She hopes other Samaritans will adopt students from other schools, so that they too may Reach for the Future.
