As you might have seen mentioned the past few weeks, State of the Re:Union is continuing on in its yearly funding crusade. October started our month-long fundraising drive, and while we still have some dollars to go to reach our goal, we believe that with help from SOTRU Superheroes like yourself, we’ll have be able to raise the funds needed to continue telling amazing stories of people building community from coast-to-coast.

Our yearly fundraising event, ‘State of the Re:Union Live’ happened in Jacksonville, FL this past Saturday, October 22nd. Host Al Letson, entertained and informed with an incredible multimedia performance that mixed videos and radio segments from a variety of episodes with performance and narration. Our deepest thanks to all who attended and supported the event for creating an incredible sense of community under one roof.

Saturday night’s efforts helped make a dent in our fundraising needs, but we’ve still got a healthy portion of fundraising to go. Unlike the majority of public radio show’s, SOTRU is not presented by a specific station, and independently responsible for raising the funds needed to continue. We’re confident, that with your help, we can make it.

Grassroots and gumption: That’s what sets our listeners aside from others. You have the ability to help us make a change in the lives of millions more throughout the U.S. The one common thread we have seen throughout SOTRU listeners is the ability to make things happen, and that spirit is what we are counting on. You can help by making a simple donation. If you enjoy the episodes and want to hear more of what communities across America are doing to keep it going, your tax-deductible donation – from $5 to $500 – will help with just that. Click here to help to lend a hand in helping us bring things back together.

Want to get involved beyond you’re cash contribution? There are other ways you can help:

Host a Listening Party

For those who weren’t able to attend our State of the Re:Union Live event, have no fear. You can participate and enjoy the fun while showing off your mad-hosting skills. Through throwing a State of the Re:Union Listening Party.

We’re asking our loyal listeners to become SOTRU Superheroes by gathering their friends to come together to listen to a State of the Re:Union episode while helping raise much-needed funds to continue producing this program. Click here to find out more on hosting your own event.

Underwriting Support

From radio episode underwriting to podcasts and website advertising, SOTRU has a variety of underwriting opportunities to fit your business or organization’s budget. Our episodes reach an average audience of more than half a million listeners each week and are aired in more than 200 markets across the country. In addition to maximizing national exposure for your organization, you’ll reach civic-minded individuals and influential decision makers who believe in the power of community.

Please email Brie at brie(at)stateofthereunion(dot)com for more information.

Grants & Foundational Support

Does your foundation or organization to support public media, arts programs, educational initiatives or community-oriented projects? SOTRU is always looking to expand our partnerships and support network.

For those who attended our fundraising event in Jacksonville, thank you. We also want to thank all of our amazing sponsors, volunteers and guests that made “State of the Re:Union Live” such a successful event. A special thank you to Mossfire and O’Brothers restaurants for the delectable treats that were insanely delicious. We would also like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful people at MOCA Jacksonville for hosting our event, and to the supporting sponsors who helped bring it all together: PB&J Jacksonville and Tommy Hobin at Mind Jar Media. Our gratitude goes out to Folio Weekly and the Times Union for helping to get the word on the event.

We would be remiss not to mention the wonderful silent auction items contributed by: Tiffany Manning Photography, Orsay Restaurant of Avondale, Fly’s Tie Irish Pub of Atlantic Beach, Belk Regency, Ananda Kula of Avondale, Green Man Gourmet of Avondale, and The Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens. Thank you. Bids from these items nudged us closer to our goal. and to those already offering their support, we are truly grateful for your endeavors. We are a thankful bunch, and have so much more appreciation to give, so thank you in advance for helping us continue journeying into America’s communities, hearts and stories.

And to those already offering their support, we are truly grateful for your endeavors. We are a thankful bunch, and have so much more appreciation to give, so thank you in advance for helping us continue journeying into America’s communities, hearts and stories.

“ONE by ONE” in Jacksonville, FL – an Education Initiative

This week’s School Spotlight is featuring Jacksonville’s ‘ONE by ONE’ education campaign that is working to combat the alarming statistics on students (one in three) not graduating high school in four years. This campaign has taken an unusual approach in getting the word out to the community, and it is making people take notice.

Throughout the United States, communities are continuing to feel the strangling effects of the tightening of purse strings. It seems schools are often  first in line in the plan of attack when cutting away the “fat” of budgetary matters, leaving an emaciated educational system that barely has the resources to survive, much less thrive. This jeopardizes the future of our children, families and cities. One campaign in Jacksonville, Florida, has decided there has been enough inaction and is creating a movement to implement change, ONE by ONE.

According to ONE by ONE’s Website, “high school students from low-income families are six times more likely to drop out than students from higher income families.” And the Alliance for Excellent Education gives some sobering statistics related to the dropout rate. Reducing the dropout rate in Jacksonville by just half is estimated to produce an additional $36 million in spending, and “result in an estimated $13 million in additional earnings each year for those students.” ONE by ONE adds that “this would amount to about 400 new jobs in the community, with an increase in the gross regional product of $65 million.” That’s some trade off. And it would certainly be a great deficit-cutting tool for creating economic improvement and growth.

However, cuts to education continue during a time when our children are in desperate need of an education system that prepares them for serious competition in a ever-widening global economy. Enter the “Jacksonville Public Education Fund.” JPEF’s education initiative, ONE by ONE - specifically funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting as part of the American Graduate Initiative – is looking to educate not just students, but the community, on the impact that will be felt if students continue to struggle in finishing school. They are working toward a goal of starting a meaningful conversation leading to motivate change in schools and the community. They want to increase civic investment in education. (Click here to find out more about the program.)

On its site, ONE by ONE states: “The vision produced through the process will serve as a road map for the [Jacksonville] community to begin turning their aspirations into reality.” For them, this reality includes becoming a coordinator between the public and public officials, holding all of them to account because, as they say, “We are all responsible for our children’s future.”

In creating an open dialogue for the community, ONE by ONE has made the above statement perfectly clear. They are making it known that everyone has a stake in the education of children, not just those with children in the school system. Even area business leaders are becoming active in voicing a concern. They understand the symbiotic nature of education and economy. According to ONE by ONE, Jacksonville needs to improve its education system in order to thrive economically. When the economy begins to recover, its city must be poised to capture that growth. They understand that it is not only the education system - but the community’s perception of it – that can hold them back if it does not improve.

One way the program is making the community’s dropout epidemic known is through partnering with two of its local resources: Jacksonville’s public radio station, WJCT, and with the help of a local photographer, Ingrid Damiani. Together, they have produced a multimedia experience  explaining just what the campaign is doing. Damiani’s ONE in THREE: Let’s Solve Our Dropout Crisis is photography exhibition designed to work with and spark an interest in the community engagement campaign: ONE by ONE: Transforming Our Future Together.

Damiani tells the stories of 20 current and former Jacksonville students through her captivating ONE in THREE series that is on display at The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. Regarding Diamani’s exhibit, “The students’ stories demonstrate the power of an engaged community that works hand-in-hand with the school district to improve student success. Many of the students overcame great obstacles to succeed—and they will inspire the community to do the same.” The local public station, WJCT, enhances Damiani’s work with the addition of audio and video. This multimedia platform promotes a better understanding of the stories being explored. To see more of Damiani’s work from her ONE in THREE photography series, click here. Because the exhibits aim is to get viewers involved with the campaign, it will travel around 16 Jacksonville neighborhoods, providing an opportunity for many to learn about these stories, why they are important, and how they relate to the community.

The best way to arm yourself against ignorance and fear is knowledge, and the ONE by ONE Program in Jacksonville, Florida, is doing just that. The community is working together to take control of its future, literally. This campaign is making  it known that educational wellness in Jacksonville impacts everyone, not just families. This is certainly a great step in turning the attitude of education from “Not my job” to “It takes a village.” Having this understanding throughout the community makes the problem three-dimensional, and it becomes easier for all to see and focus on finding a solution.

While the diminished graduation rate might not be as severe in all cities, educational wellness is something that affects us all. This town is working to create a change through what works for its people and children. They are getting to the heart of the problem through educating the public that, first, there is a big problem; and second, gathering community concerns to put together a clearly defined path of attack. This is what is working for them, we want to hear what your community is doing to combat educational concerns. Or, if you have become inspired by their story, we would love to hear that, too.

Operation New Hope is such an incredible organization and has even become a national model for solving recidivism challenges. It was originally explored in our episode, Jacksonville – The Bold New City of the South? – and SOTRU guest contributor, Alina Kodatt, caught up with the organization’s founder, Kevin Gay, last December to see what had changed for them since the episode. We want to be sure that you didn’t miss it! Additionally, we will soon be starting a new feature on our website called Radio Re:Visit. It will highlight some of the people and organizations that were part of our radio episodes, so that we can get a sense for where they are now and if anything has changed since we last spoke.

Below is Alina’s conversation with Kevin that we originally published on 12.06.10:

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In State of the Re:Union’s third pilot episode, Al Letson explored his hometown of Jacksonville, Florida. In that episode Al introduced readers to Operation New Hope (ONH), an organization located in the historic downtown neighborhood of Springfield. Focused on bringing hope to ex-offenders through employment and rebuilding dilapidated homes in the community, ONH has received national attention for their model of bringing help and hope to their community. We were so inspired by their story the first time around that we recently caught up with ONH director Kevin Gay to get an update on their efforts. (more…)

Chattanooga, Tennessee, is nicknamed the Scenic City for a good reason. With breathtaking vistas of the Appalachian mountains and the Tennessee River flowing through it, the city is rich with outdoor beauty. To add to its resume, Forbes ranked Chattanooga as the eighth most affordable city in America in 2009. But Chattanooga hasn’t always had such a gleaming reputation. In the early 20th century, the city was a bustling industrial, railroad, and manufacturing hub. After decades of industry, pollutants hung heavily in the air, shrouding those same beautiful mountains the area is known for. In 1969, the federal government deemed Chattanooga’s air quality the dirtiest in the nation. (more…)

Matt Bort and Chris Williams had a need.  After filling their need with ingenuity, practicality and some sewing chops, they had a business. Burro Bags has fans, they may call them paying customers, from all over the world. Their start-up began by offering handmade messenger bags made with recycled materials from such items as old sails, couch leather, convertible tops and even highway billboards and have expanded their line to include backpacks, wallets and T-shirts among other products. (more…)