March 11, 2008

CHILDREN FOCUS OF EDUCATIONAL MARKETING CAMPAIGN
REACH Foundation Puts a Face on the Concept of School Choice in PA

Philadelphia, PA - Ashley LaTorre is one of 15 kids from across Pennsylvania taking part in this year's educational marketing campaign by the REACH (Road to Educational Achievement through CHoice) Foundation. Due to the success of last year's campaign, REACH has made this year's Visions of Choice campaign bigger and better with 9 new families. The goal of the campaign is to show parents, legislators and the general public what exactly is meant by the term "school choice" in Pennsylvania. The campaign strives to put a face to the school choice movement by telling the success stories of several families.

My name is Ashley and I am 12 years old. I am undecided on what I want to be when I grow up; there are a few careers that I am looking at. But the category I want to work in is helping people. Maybe I'll be a therapist or travel to other countries like Oprah to help people.

My mom sent me to Holy Innocents A.C.E.S. in Philadelphia because at the time, there was only one public school in our neighborhood and they were sending students to other schools because it was so crowded. My mom also wanted to make sure I got the best education I could, so I would have all of the skills I need to succeed in high school, college and in my career. Holy Innocents is preparing me to do anything I want. Holy Innocents receives money from BLOCS which is a part of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program and I would not be able to attend this school without it.

--Ashley LaTorre, age 12

Ashley is able to attend Holy Innocents A.C.E.S. in Philadelphia, PA because of the scholarship she receives from the Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools (BLOCS) organization. BLOCS is a state-approved scholarship organization and part of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program, businesses donate money to organizations like BLOCS and, in turn, take up to a 90% tax credit. Instead of sending their tax dollars to Harrisburg, the EITC program allows businesses to invest in education and ensure the success of Pennsylvania's future workers.

The EITC Program is well known across the country and is regarded as one of the most successful programs in the National school choice movement. The Program is thought of so highly by PA state legislators that they have continued to increase the program's funding year after year. Since 2001, 3,200 businesses have qualified for the EITC, donating $350 million for scholarships to over 158,000 kids and funded thousands of public education initiatives. This year, REACH estimates that 44,000 kids, just like Ashley, will receive scholarships to attend the school that best fits their educational needs.

By definition, school choice means allowing every parent to send their child to the school that best fits their child's educational needs, regardless of income or zip code. In Pennsylvania, school choice options include Charter Schools, Cyber-Charter Schools, Private Tutoring, Homeschooling, Private Schools, Parochial Schools and the EITC Program. REACH is hopeful that its Visions of Choice campaign will help make the connection between the concept of school choice and the true-life success it provides for thousands of families in the Commonwealth every year. For more information about school choice, the REACH Foundation or the Visions of Choice campaign, please contact the REACH office at (717) 238-1878 or mail@paschoolchoice.org, or visit www.paschoolchoice.org.

What is the REACH Foundation? Founded in 1991, the REACH (Road to Educational Achievement through Choice) Foundation is dedicated to ensuring parental choice in education in Pennsylvania. REACH continually promotes policies that enable statewide parental choice in education, including the well-established and highly successful EITC Program. For more information on the REACH Foundation, visit www.paschoolchoice.org.

What is BLOCS? BLOCS (Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools) is a dynamic group of area business leaders who care deeply about the state of education in our region. BLOCS believes that access to a high-quality education for children-especially those most in need -is crucial to the continued growth and success of our region. BLOCS' main focus is providing tuition scholarships to low income children. These scholarships provide the next generation of leaders with the tools to break the cycle of poverty-an excellent education, a sense of strong values and a belief that they can be successful in life.

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WANT AN INTERVIEW WITH THE LATORRE FAMILY? NEED A PHOTO FOR YOUR STORY? CALL OR E-MAIL STACY!!! YOU CAN ALSO MEET ASHLEY AT THE PRESS EVENT THIS THURSDAY!! E-MAIL STACY FOR DETAILS!!