We have read so much about the devastation of New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina that the Class of ’91 decided we would like to focus our social service work there.  Through Mindy Brickman Patron ’91, we have been introduced to Julie Lause, founder of the KIPP Central City Academy.  The KIPP Academy is a college preparatory public middle school that will be opening in the Uptown area of New Orleans this fall.  The staff will begin with an incoming class of 90 fifth graders, and add each year until they have achieved a school of 360 students in grades 5-8.  The students will attend school from 7:45 am- 5 pm each day, and will report two Saturdays a month and 2 weeks each summer to develop leadership skills through community involvement.  The school has a website:  www.kippcentralcity.org.  Please check it out.  If you click on “Our Community” and “Support Our School”, there is a list of all the ways people can get involved in this project.

Because the school is starting from the ground up, they need everything:  books, school supplies, furniture, etc.  Julie also has emphasized the importance of exposing her students to a variety of adults, professions, and life experiences.  The Class of ’91 has come up with three possible ways to get involved.

•  Organize local or regional fund-raisers:  We hope classmates can find opportunities to get together, have fun, and raise money for this worthy cause.
• Pen-Pals:  As part of their writing practice, the students at KIPP Academy will be working on letters.  We would like to find 20 classmates who would be willing to exchange 3-4 letters with a student over the course of the year (Sorry, not enough computer resources at the school yet for e-mail exchanges, but you could always type and hit print!)  It’s an opportunity to mentor through the mail!
• Visitors:  If you will be in the New Orleans area, Julie encourages you to go visit KIPP academy.  They would love to have visitors to read to kids or share information about where they live or what they do.

We would welcome any other ideas you may have, and any information you have about getting supplies to New Orleans safely and cheaply!  If you are interested in getting involved, contact Abby Schoenbaum Cox ’91 at (617) 566-3212 or abbycox@yahoo.com.