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#STEPSTOSCHOOL GALA

We did it! We raised over $5,500 toward our school

By FOREFRONT Charity

June 23^rd, 2017

Steps closer

Dear friends of FOREFRONT,

Thank you sincerely for joining us at our #StepsToSchool Gala! We couldn't have had a better crowd to share the exciting launch of our new school in Kolluru, India. With your support, we will be filling classrooms, funding teachers, and telling our story. Quality education will accelerate kids on the path to success.

Without further ado, here's some highlights about how we made this night a success.

STEPS TO GALA

Fresh food, flora, and tunes shone through the summer light to set the tone at dusk. Special thanks to our sponsors Sweetgreen, Raindrop Cake, Brooklyn Brewing, Hummus and Pita, and Insomnia Cookies! Also, our serenader, Shanay Johnson lifted us into the evening.

men of the hour

Only captivating speakers can gather captivated crowds, and these gentlemen delivered. Our keynote speaker for the evening, Errol Olten, shares about the importance of education and its impact. As the founder of Equality Adult Education, an organization providing access to adult education in underserved areas, we couldn't have asked for a better advocate for FOREFRONT's school.

Our founder, Matt, welcomes guests, sharing successes and exciting future initiatives.

SCHOOL LAUNCH IN KOLLURU, INDIA

With the gala as a launching pad, we are delighted to announce FOREFRONT's education initiative in Kolluru, India!

Thanks to startup funds from a $200,000 grant, we have purchased land and will begin both construction and recruitment. But the work doesn't stop there. Quality takes time and investment.

Our education specialist Sharon shares about the school's initial year and the need for education in underserved areas like Kolluru. Only 1 in 2 kids make it past primary school. That's why FOREFRONT's school will start instruction with primary grades 1 and 2 and expand until grade 5. It will also address other challenges with the 4-phase approach, such as water and health, that can be barriers to student success.

clean water in our school

While we're launching a new school, we're still maintaining progress in water and sanitation.

So far, we've provided 15,000 villagers with clean water in 8 villages in southern India, and will continue laying this foundation at our Kolluru school. Our sanitation lead, MacKenzie, also shared about our newest innovation: a solar-powered hand-washing station.