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Gloria
Bonilla-Santiago |
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Gloria Bonilla-Santiago
54 - Camden, NJ
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"Every time a LEAP child graduates and attends college, I feel like I'm making a gift to the community. It's a myth that poor parents don't care about their children's education. They too have dreams for their kids. I believe that all children can learn if provided with the right opportunity".
Channeling her love for her community, Dr. Santiago founded LEAP Academy University Charter School in 1997 for Camden's at-risk youth. Today, LEAP Academy serves over 900 students from kindergarten to 12th grade, with students in school until 5:00 pm for 11 months out of the year. It has graduated four classes, with 100 percent college placement and a 90 percent college retention rate. Most of these students will become the first generation of college graduates in their families.
The innovative, comprehensive education that LEAP Academy provides to students is critical to Camden, as it continues to struggle with high drop-out rates, unemployment, poverty, and crime. Dr. Santiago ultimately created much more than a school, adding real opportunities for parental engagement, teacher preparation, and community outreach programs. LEAP's influence reaches beyond the schoolyard with programs like its Teacher Development & Performance Institute, which offers urban educational leadership training to teachers throughout the city.
LEAP parents are engaged in school activities through volunteer opportunities and the Parents Academy for School Reform program, which has provided training and job skills to nearly 2,000 parents. Upon graduation many move on to college, new jobs, or are placed into other city schools.
The school's community outreach programs incorporate local institutions, including Rutgers University Law School, Cooper Hospital's Health Center, and the South Jersey Leadership Development Institute. Law students work with families on issues of credit, domestic violence and juvenile delinquency. Once a week, Cooper Hospital sends medical students to provide basic medical services in the schools for uninsured LEAP families.
LEAP Academy is a beacon of hope in Camden providing comprehensive educational opportunities and community support to hundreds of children and adults in the city.
That's why Gloria is a 2008
Woman Of Worth. |
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"I feel like I’m making a gift to the community."
Hear Gloria discuss her work
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ORGANIZATION
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