Impact Report 2021
Open Doors Partners in Education
A Note from the Director In many ways, it is hard to believe that I am already reflecting on the completion of our first full year at Open Doors Partners in Education. I think I can safely say that neither Julie Blyman (our cofounder) nor myself quite knew what we were getting into when we decided that 2020 was the year to make this dream a reality. This year has been a year of growth for both the organization and myself as a first-time executive director. Throughout the changes, one thing remains constant: our commitment to literacy and the children in our community. Lately, I have been reflecting on the impact which the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our children and their literacy development. It seems that we could not have opened our doors at a more crucial time. Year-end test scores from our local public school system show worsening of already alarming English Language Arts proficiency rates. Many children have missed the crucial faceto-face phonological awareness and phonics instruction given during early elementary school. Parents are searching for a way to stop the slide and place their children on the right track for literacy acquisition and growth. We have been privileged to be recommended to these families by teachers, pediatricians, and friends. I am happy to report that we are ending 2021 in a good position to continue to provide literacy intervention services to members of our community at free and reduced rates. Our enrollment has steadily increased during 2021.
Between January and December of 2021, 40 children benefited from our services. 24 of these children were provided services at our office in Chestertown, Maryland and 16 of them received services during the summer through our partnership with Horizons of Kent and Queen Anne’s Counties. The fall of 2021 saw us saying farewell to our shared mentor and great supporter, Dr. Fran Bowman, who passed away much too soon. Emily, Julie, and I all had the profound privilege of beginning our Orton-Gillingham journey with sixty hours of training from Dr. Fran Bowman. Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 saw me on the phone and messenger with Fran more times than I could count. She recommended resources and helped steer the boat when I was trying to figure out how Open Doors would have the greatest impact. Fran believed that every child can succeed. She believed that literacy was a right, not a privilege to be bought. Although we are saddened to no longer have her a phone call away, we are excited to have a place in sharing her vision and carrying forward her teachings. Thank you for your commitment to Open Doors Partners in Education. I hope that you find joy in reading about the success we achieved in 2021. Ashley Singer Executive Director
Our current students come from both Kent and Queen Anne's counties. Although we currently only provide financial assistance to students who attend Kent County Public Schools, in the future we hope to expand the availability of sponsorship.
HOW MANY OF OUR STUDENTS ARE SPONSORED? Full Pay 20%
Partial Sponsorship 8.6%
Full Sponsorship 71.4%
80% of students receive financial support from sponsorship
30 hours of tutoring weekly
40 students served
HOW MUCH MONEY DID WE RAISE IN 2021?
$84,000+
Acknowledgements A big thank you to everyone who has contributed to the success of 2021, including: Our board members, Karyn McAuliffe, Connie Schroth, Catherine Buchanan and Mary Ann Herron Private Donors Kelsey Aburn Tracy Aguilar Chrissy Aull Margaret Gillespie Albertson Brittany Spry Alexander Hazen Arnold Christopher Atkinson Nancy and Rick Balaban Sheila Barry Julie and Brent Blyman Melinda Blyman Ilana and Dave Brett Marcy Brown and Bob Atwater Deb and Tyler Campbell Noah Chandler and Rutha Kidane RJ Christian Stephanie and David Clayton Suzi and Robert Creamer Wendy Culp Molly Dowling Kyle Durham Ronnie Edelman Daniel Eisenberg Christina Fay Morgan and Michael Farah Francesca Fenwick Patricia Ford Herbert Friedman, Sr. Susan and Herbert Friedman, Jr. Kate Gray Thomas Gross Liliya and Michael Grossman Amy and Peter Gumaer Nicole Halbreiner Whitney Hanson Megan Heffernan Mary Ann Herron Rachel Hertz Darby and Donald Hewes Douglas Hewes Rachel and Brad Hopkins Belle and Breton Hornblower Brandon Hoy and Brooke Schumann Cheryl and Dave Hurd Jaime Hurley Mary Hurley Jackie and Joe Jablecki Margaret and Jimmy Judge Beth and Timothy Keefe Monica and Drew Keen Shari and Parker Keen Alexis and Max Keenoy Anne Kelso Teri Kent Lori and Michael Kern Nadine and Lenny Kubiak
Business Donors The Cat Colloquium Carla Massoni Gallery Carmichael's Books Cross Street Realtors KC Construction The People's Bank Select Land and Homes
Foundation Donors
David A. Bramble Foundation Dollar General Literacy Foundation Midshore Community Foundation The Nora Roberts Foundation
Laura and Ken Kurz Katie Leager Amy and Gene Lee Barbara Leonard Maggie and Asa Lopatin Patti Lortz Scott Loveless Erin McAuliffe Karyn and Stephen McAuliffe Diane McClary Betsy and Andrew McCown Katie and Nick Moulsdale Nancy and John Nunn Claire and Jason Ogden Allison O’Meara Annie and Nat Otis Jennifer Paniere Scott and Heather Paviol Peaceful World Enterprises Kate Peacock Sara and Dave Quinn Robert Ramsey Marnie and Bo Randall Margaret Raisin Linda Reed Megan Reed Linda Reish Susan Rhodes Wendy Rhoe Elizabeth and Peter Rice Peter Rice, III Hannah Richardson Linda Rose Liz and Mitchell Rubenstein David Schumann Sharon Shadle Richard and Amy Shoge Anne and David Singer Ashley Singer Robert Singer Caitlin Stroud Frances and Peter Thayer Carolyn and Brian Thompson Hanna Toler Sarah Wagner Susan Webster Elizabeth White The Wallstreet Wizards Lynda and Bob Willard Darcy and Joe Williams Laura Wayles Wilson Laura and John Wilson Erin and Karl Zierfuss
Open Doors Partners in Education 103 Church Alley Chestertown, MD 21620 www.opendoorsed.org asinger@opendoorsed.org