Agency: Napa Valley Unified School District
Support Needed: $20,000
Purpose: Expenses for college-prep program at middle and high schools

Five years ago, Napa High School initiated a pilot project with one class of 21 students, with the goal of shrinking the disparity in achievement rates. The school launched a nationally-recognized program called Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), which targets socio-economically disadvantaged kids that have the potential to attend four-year college, but need to develop the skills to do so. District data shows that low-income students perform more poorly than their economically-advantaged peers on state math and English exams. Plus, Latino high school youth are three times less likely than their Anglo peers to meet college entrance requirements.

Today, there are 359 students in AVID, which is offered as an invitation-only elective class at two middle schools and both high schools in Napa. Teachers and counselors identify AVID candidates by screening for academic and demographic attributes, plus students' desire and determination; since this is an elective class, it supplants the opportunity to enroll in art, music or another non-academic subject. The typical AVID student profile in Napa schools: average grades; average-to-high test scores; parents did not attend college; from a low-income family; and, most often Latino/a.

In the AVID classroom at the high school level, kids are immersed in strengthening their writing and reading-comprehension skills, learning effective note-taking strategies and using the Socratic Method of inquiry to discuss ideas and problem-solve in groups. In middle schools, the focus also is on academics, note-taking and thinking skills, as well as weekly tutoring in English and math.

The program is yielding results. More than 85 percent of AVID high school seniors meet college entrance requirements, as compared to 12 percent of kids with similar demographics that aren't in AVID. And, more than 75 percent of AVID middle school students are now enrolled in college-prep classes.

The school district is in the process of expanding the program, which has an annual budget of about $428,500, to more middle schools, and reaching more kids by training more teachers. A five-year federal grant is supporting most of the expansion; a recent $25,000 grant from the Community Foundation's In School & Out of School Fund will fill in some of the gaps. Another $20,000 still is needed for field trip transportation ($10,000), training for teachers ($8,000), and small stipends for the lead AVID teachers ($2,000). Support of this program would help more young people fulfill their potential and be college-ready.

Agency: Paws for Healing Inc.
Support Needed: $3,800
Purpose: Training expenses for volunteers and prizes for children

School children that struggle with reading have an ally on their side: a four-legged friend with a wagging tail. Teams of specially trained therapy dogs and their human handlers volunteer for Paws for Healing (Paws), and work with elementary school-aged children to build their reading skills. Paws teams have been visiting hospitals, nursing homes and support groups for the past 11 years, providing the calming presence of an affectionate pup. Three years ago, Paws launched Paws for Reading (PFR) for kids at libraries in American Canyon, Napa and St. Helena.

Once a week, a "Now Appearing" sign with the dog's photo greets children at the library entrance; the youngsters follow paw prints on the floor to a quiet corner where they take turns reading aloud to the dog. Each reader gets a bookmark with the dog's picture. Young readers that visit the library and PFR dog nine times earn a new book of their own to take home.

PFR teams also go to four elementary schools in American Canyon, Napa and Calistoga where students practice reading and, in some classes, write letters to the canines. A child's letter is not graded: It is used as a tool to get kids thinking about writing as a way to deliver information and create relationships. The dog "writes back," modeling correct spelling and grammar. Teachers report that students experience less anxiety reading aloud after working with the PFR teams, and kids that have trouble focusing are better able to settle down with a book while petting a therapy dog.

Volunteers for PFR undergo the same vetting process as all Paws teams, including: evaluation of the dog for temperament and safety; training for working in healthcare and education settings; vaccinations; and, mentoring by experienced teams. Extra instruction for the PFR cohort focuses on how kids learn and techniques to encourage reading. There are 15 PFR teams in Napa County working with 85 children each week, and Paws, an all-volunteer nonprofit, wants to train 10 more teams to reach another 55 students in Yountville and American Canyon schools.

Paws's total annual budget is $47,000, and the existing PFR program, plus expansion, costs $3,800. PFR expenses include a professional canine trainer to do the safety evaluations; training and annual re- certification; insurance fees; bookmarks; and, books. Your support will help cultivate more young readers in Napa Valley.

Agency: Project Graduation Inc.
Support Needed: $5,000
Purpose: Pay for materials to build new event dance floor

It might be the largest celebration of the year in Napa and, chances are, you aren't on the guest list--unless you are a graduating high school senior. Called "Grad Nite," the party is hosted and administered by Project Graduation Inc., a nonprofit dedicated solely to providing an alcohol-free, tobacco-free and drug-free celebration chaperoned by adult volunteers.

Before Grad Nite came on the scene 22 years ago, graduates would head home to spend time with family for a few hours after commencement ceremonies; but, thereafter had nowhere to go and nothing to do. As a result, more kids engaged in heavy drinking and other high-risk activities. Instead this June, some 700 kids from all over Napa County will flock to Grad Nite and celebrate with their classmates in a safe environment--and stay sober.

Upon entering the Grad Nite gates (the ticketed event is held at the Napa Valley College campus), attendees encounter a festival atmosphere: Thousands of twinkle lights glitter above an array of themed booths, a performance stage, ping-pong tables, a large dance floor, as well as rows of buffet tables loaded with food. Graduates can partake in dozens of activities, such as: karaoke; video, Wii and casino-style games; get their hair styled or their photos taken; and, receive a temporary henna tattoo. Live entertainment, including a hypnotist and a disc jockey, also color the party, which runs until sunrise the next morning. There also is a "crash" area, where kids can watch movies and rest if they get too tired.

About 300 volunteer community members work the entire night of the party. Another 300 start work a week before the party to transform the location into a magical place-crews assemble booths, stage sets, plus hang large-scale decorations. The dance floor is an integral part of the event and one-of-a-kind, with colorful lights under a Plexiglas surface.

After thousands of feet cutting loose on it over the years, the dance floor needs a complete re-build. Cost for the new materials is $5,000; construction will be provided free of charge by a crew of 40 volunteers.

The 2010 Grad Nite is budgeted at $50,300, with nearly $40,000 of expenses going towards entertainment and small prizes. Ticket sales typically cover half the cost for the entire event; sponsorships and donations fill the balance. Support of this project would continue this longstanding tradition that gives our high school graduates a safe, fun and memorable celebration.