So, this started with my birthday list. For those of you who don’t know, I write an annual list of things to do each year as part of my birthday celebration. And this year’s list (my birthday was November 18th) had two things on it that I decided to bring together into one.
Item # 1: be able to run for an hour on my own.
Item #2: raise $10,000 for Circle de Luz.
Now, those things don’t naturally have anything to do with each other EXCEPT that I am not inclined to run without a purpose– you know, like from a bear chasing me or towards chocolate. So, to get myself to run for an hour, I have to have a reason. And I’ve decided to make raising money for Circle de Luz my reason.
What is Circle de Luz? Launched in 2008, Circle De Luz radically empowers young Latinas by supporting and inspiring them in the pursuit of their possibilities through extensive mentoring, programming, and scholarship funds for further education. Circle de Luz not only gives girls the financial means to pursue an educational program of their choice after high school graduation, the organization also provides the girls with six years of dynamic programming and mentoring.
Why is Circle de Luz so important? Because Latina girls face incredibly challenging odds.
Latinos have the highest drop-out rate of all racial and ethnic groups.
A third of Latinas who dropped out cited marriage or pregnancy as the reason.
Fifty-three of Latinas will become pregnant at least once before the age of 20.
Latinas between the ages of 12-17 are more likely to attempt to take their life than any other group. Twenty-five percent say they have thought about it. Fifteen percent have attempted suicide.
Circle de Luz works directly with Latinas girls for six years to empower them to purpose the futures of their imagining.
My goal is to raise $1000 for Circle de Luz before March 6, 2010 when I will take part in the Corporate Cup in Charlotte. Over 20 other participants will be joining with me in this effort to dynamically fund Circle de Luz’s programming for this year by raising $10,000 total dollars. With these funds, Circle de Luz will be able to cover the spring programming for 2 Circle de Luz classes (we have plans to get together with our 13 girls for 29 total programs), our one week summer wellness day camp that is offered to all of our girls, and our fall programming for 3 Circle de Luz programs (at least 20 programs for 20 girls).
Would you like to help us go the distance for Circle de Luz? If so, visit my ChipIn page at http://rosiemolinary.chipin.com/circle-de-luz or mail a check made out to Circle de Luz to PO Box 2, Davidson, NC 28036 with my name and run in the memo line. If you are making a donation on Chip In, you will be asked if you have any special instructions for the merchant. Please type my name in the Special Instructions to Merchant box so that I can know that you made a donation to Circle de Luz on my behalf. Circle de Luz is a non-profit organization and you will receive a formal thank you note for your tax-deductible donation. Want to learn more about Circle de Luz? Visit www.circledeluz.org
Thanks so much for your consideration!
