FUTURES FOR KIDS HELPS DURHAM STUDENTS MAP
PLAN TO GRADUATION WITH NORTH CAROLINA
GLAXOSMITHKLINE FOUNDATION RIBBON OF HOPE GRANT

Raleigh, NC—April 1, 2008  Durham County students will gain unparalleled access to career information and mentors, local business and industry representatives and education training programs with a technology-based career exploration program that has received a $25,000 grant from the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation.  

Futures for Kids (F4K) was among 21 inaugural Ribbon of Hope grant recipients announced today by the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation.  F4K is a technology-based career exploration program that encourages students to apply their interests and aptitudes in defining their career goals and creating a plan for success.

By forging a direct link between the students’ classes and their career goals, F4K demonstrates the relevance of education to future success and provides a valuable tool for combating the dropout rate in North Carolina. Durham Public Schools has integrated F4K into its curriculum and uses the program to help all 8^th graders create their high school graduation plan.

“Every student is passionate about something.  Using technology to connect them with people and businesses across the state who will nurture that passion keeps kids in school and on the path to a fulfilling career,” said Susan Milliken, Executive Director for Futures for Kids.  “F4K is about empowering the community to get involved and this grant helps us move toward our overall goal of providing that opportunity statewide, bringing us to 70% of our financial goal.”

The North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation launched its Ribbon of Hope program in 2007 and began accepting applications from nonprofits. The program stems from a “Learning Tour” embarked upon by Foundation staff in 2005 and 2006, when they met with hundreds of nonprofit leaders who are providing outstanding services to citizens,
but are struggling with limited resources to meet the needs of their local communities.

As a direct result of the learning tour, the NC GlaxoSmithKline Foundation Board began the “Ribbon of Hope” program, inviting nonprofits to apply for one-time grants of $25,000 for projects furthering science, health and education in their communities. The North Carolina Center for Nonprofits will provide customized consulting services to Ribbon of Hope grant recipients.  The North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation supports programs in NC that emphasize the understanding and application of health, science and education for today's society and future generations.

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For more information, contact:
Rebecca Cooper
Communications Manager
(919) 875-8885 ext200
rebeccac@f4k.org
Futures for Kids—www.f4k.org