Grant awarded to Andson Foundation

The Foundation is pleased to award a grant to The Andson Foundation.  Andson was established in 2009 with the purpose of improving academic achievement and financial literacy among at-risk youth in Southern Nevada. Andson was founded by Sonia Anderson, whose long experience in the world of finance allowed her to recognize the disparity that is occurring in young people throughout Southern Nevada regarding both academics and personal finance.  Andson’s mission is to educate, inform, and inspire youth and young adults by delivering innovative programs in academics, financial literacy, and mentoring. Their goal is to provide the tools necessary to break the generational cycle of financial illiteracy and academic deficiencies, thereby enabling children to grow and become successful, productive and employed adults. A child growing up in Nevada has the lowest chance of academic success in the country, according to the 2018 Quality Counts report. For the past twenty-two years, Education Week has published this annual report that evaluates school systems in 50 states and Washington, D.C. This year Nevada finishes 51st, with an overall score of 65.1 out of 100 points and a grade of “D”. Nevada earned a “D-” in the “Chance for Success Category.” Across spending indicators, Nevada finishes with a “F” ranking the state at 45th.

In response to this serious challenge, the Andson Academics program works in collaboration with the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, the Clark County School District and St. Jude’s Ranch for Children. Andson currently offers this program at 8 library locations across Southern Nevada, as well as 2 Title 1 Elementary Schools, and St. Jude’s Ranch for Children. During this project, Andson will focus on the role of bridging families and schools, developing ways to promote parent and care-giver engagement in student homework, school attendance, and academic progress. The Andson Academics program is designed to address the need for academic intervention and individual student support within Nevada’s failing education system.

Funds will specifically be used for salaries of the Grants and Evaluations Coordinator, Academics Advisor, Academics Supervisor, Data Controller, HR/Payroll Director, tutors, program aides, etc., supplies for the tutoring program and tutor training, orientation, etc., and administrative costs associated with the program such as insurance, fidelity bond, mileage, postage, internet, etc. Approximately 1,900 Southern Nevada at-risk youth will benefit from this grant. The demographics for this project is diverse and fragmented, however there are common characteristics that indicate the target audience of students are from low-income households. According to current statistics 34% of students from elementary schools are Hispanic, 72% are from female headed households and 52% are from single parent households. All the students at St. Jude’s Ranch for Children are foster children.

Andson’s mission and goals align with the Foundation’s goals of providing education and skills training to children to break the cycle of poverty