About the Nonprofit
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Mission statement: Close the opportunity gap because all kids should have the chance to achieve their dreams
The Zach Johnson Foundation (ZJF) started in 2010 because professional golfer Zach and his wife Kim, wanted to make a positive and lasting difference in his hometown of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The board of directors identified gaps in the community in terms of programming and effective efforts to interrupt the cycle of poverty.
ZJF created a program based on the Communities in School model which brought opportunities and support to students in a way that removes barriers to learning and success such as transportation and language.
ZJF's premier program, Kids on Course, was launched at two elementary schools in 2011. Each year the program has added another grade of students and has added additional schools. Now we serve 9 high poverty schools within the Cedar Rapids Community School District and impact over 1650 kids each year. Many participants are vulnerable or marginalized youth. Last year, 51% of participants identified as minority, 69% FRL, 16% ELL, and 9% had IEP’s.
ZJF’s premier program is Kids on Course (KOC), which provides free tutoring, mentoring, enrichment, and family engagement strategies to children who attend high-needs schools. Based in schools, KOC staff connect with students and families who might have opportunity gaps.
Starting in first grade, KOC works with students until graduation, evaluating and addressing students’ learning gaps and strengths. Most students who enter KOC are not meeting grade-level benchmarks in reading and math. KOC participants attend Learning Lab, a tutoring program that provides 40 hours of high-quality, small-group instruction after school for elementary and middle school students.
All KOC programs are free and utilize certified teachers to deliver high-quality instruction. Many participants in KOC programs are vulnerable and marginalized youth. Students in KOC show marked improvements in academic achievement and school behavior. For example, standardized test data shows students in KOC for two or more years are more likely to be on grade level in reading. In addition, middle school students in the program are more likely to avoid chronic absenteeism and suspensions.
This spring will we are thrilled to celebrate our first graduating class of forty students. Out of our upcoming forty graduating seniors, seventeen want to attend a four-year college and fifteen of those students have already been accepted. Thirteen seniors wish to attend a two-year college and eleven of those students have already been accepted. Eight will be attending vocational programs and two are undecided but want to do something.
We could not be prouder of these kids that have remained dedicated to their studies and our program since the first grade. 10% of will be first generation high school graduates and 22.5% will be first generation to attend high school.
Any of these students have not had the same opportunities as their peers and some have never even left the state of Iowa. We would love to celebrate and reward these graduates hard work with a senior trip. We have funds to cover transportation, some food, and other miscellaneous expenses as well as our chaperones tickets. We cordially request consideration for 40 admission tickets to offer our seniors a day of celebration and to just be a kid before they move on to their next chapter.
We appreciate your consideration and support.
All the best,
Sara Volz
Executive Director
