On Tuesday, December 18, 2012, students showed their support of a fundraiser hosted by Red Robin for LYDIA Urban Academy. 10% of the proceeds for the day were donated to the academy.

Red Robin also collected school supplies: Backpacks, pencils, paper, pens, highlighters, and copy paper.

BMO HARRIS BANK INVESTS IN AT-RISK YOUTH PROGRAM:

DONATION MADE TO LYDIA URBAN ACADEMY

Rockford, IL (December 11, 2012) – BMO Harris Bank makes a contribution to LYDIA Urban Academy, a drop-out prevention and recovery program, where students have second chance to earn their high school diploma.

Andrea Ward, Rockford Market President of BMO Harris Bank congratulates the academy on such a unique program. “Education is very important to the success of our community,” says Ward. “BMO Harris Bank commends the work that Lydia does to help at-risk students learn in an individualized learning environment and prepare for life beyond school.”

LYDIA is Rockford’s only non-traditional, Christian school, serving at-risk youth, through a unique approach to education. Their philosophy of a small school environment, individualized attention, and healthy relationships with teachers and staff has proven to be successful. In the past 6 years alone, the academy has recovered 84% of its students from drop-out status and has saved the community close to seven million dollars so far.

LYDIA Urban Academy is a NCA accredited, non-traditional, Christian high school whose purpose is to serve students who are not succeeding in a traditional school system. LYDIA is a high school diploma program with a unique focus on character education, work readiness, life skills training, and mentoring.

To learn more about Lydia Urban Academy-Rockford visit www.lydiarockford.org or call 815-966-0039. You can also find them on Facebook.

“At first, I didn’t think I was seeing the right amount of zeros on the check,” says Lynne Strathman Director of LUA,“but after reality sunk in, I was speechless at the generosity of such a great gift.” The gift was given to the school because the donor conveyed their desire to “support successful front-line programs that truly make a difference in the lives of youth.” They believe in the work at LYDIA.

Strathman says that the $20k donation is moving the school closer to their goal of being a self-sustaining organization in the community. However, there is still a lot more work to be done. The $20K covers ten percent of the cost it takes to teach and provide other valuable resources to the school’s twenty student capacity. To continue to support their current enrollment and in order to expand to help the many students in our community who need a non-traditional, individualized work environment to succeed, the school will need to raise more funds.

LYDIA Urban Academy is a NCA accredited, non-traditional, Christian high school whose purpose is to serve students who are not succeeding in a traditional school system. LYDIA is a high school diploma program with a unique focus on character education, work readiness, life skills training, and mentoring.

To learn more about Lydia Urban Academy-Rockford visit www.lydiahome.org/Rockford or call 815-966-0039. You can also find them on Facebook.

*Article originally posted on wifr.com and can be found here.

Each student was able to contribute in their own way from greeting guests, promoting the school, offering refreshments, and interacting with the media. Two students, Ned and D’Angelo were highlighted by one of the areas local news stations. “I liked the open house,” say D’Angelo. “I was able to meet new people and learn new things like the different types of companies we have here.” The academy’s students demonstrated to their community what they can expect from them in the future. “These young people are great examples of what can happen when they are exposed to a non-traditional approach to education,” says Cira Guevara, Director of Fund and Community Development.

LYDIA would also like to personally recognize the following people and businesses: LYDIA’s staff and board members, Rockford Housing Authority, Rockford Chamber of Commerce, The Honorable Scott Christiansen, County Board member Frank Gambino, Leadership Rockford alumni, LYDIA Urban Academy alumni, BMO Harris Bank, Holiday Inn Express and Suites, Rasmussen College, Juvenile Probation, United Way of Rock River Valley, Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, Bisconti Computers, Blue Sky Insurance, Illinois Growth Enterprise, IGNITE members, and many more.

LYDIA Urban Academy is a NCA accredited, non-traditional, Christian high school whose purpose is to serve students who are not succeeding in a traditional school system. LYDIA is a high school diploma program with a unique focus on character education, work readiness, life skills training, and mentoring.

To learn more about LYDIA Urban Academy-Rockford visit online or call 815-966-0039. You can also find them on Facebook.

Lynne Strathman, executive director of LUA, said, “This training is intended to prepare students for future success by teaching them skills that others may not have. It gives them a competitive edge when applying for jobs.” George Krepel, LUA’s math, science, and life skills teacher added that this training will “give the students not only pertinent medical safety knowledge but provide great social and life skills experience.”

LUA is a NCA accredited, non-traditional Christian high school whose goal is to serve students who are not succeeding in a traditional school system by focusing on character education, work readiness, life skills training and mentoring. For more information, call 815-966-0039.

In addition to regular classes, students are given instruction in workplace preparedness with focus on things like learning how to fill out applications, interview well and learning what is commonly expected once they have employment.

Fridays are meant to be work-study days when students are expected to achieve employment and the wages earned are put toward their tuition expenses.

This is where you could help make a huge impact on a student’s life. We have opportunities available to either financially sponsor students wages who are employed by not for profit organizations, or to employ students directly at your local business.

Download our Sponsorship Information Sheet for more details on how the program works. if you have any questions or would like more information please contact our office at (815) 966-0039 or by email .