20/20 Endorsements
Hon. Cory Booker, Mayor of Newark, to 20/20 Vision Organizers, 9/18/08:
Why do we tolerate a world where children born with God’s genius are going to schools that are not nurturing that genius? … You’ve answered a call to do more, to act more.”
Dr. Tony Evans, President of the Urban Alternative:
“I’m excited about what you’re doing about the drop-out rate of high school students. It’s very important that what is envisioned by 20/20 takes root from the pulpit to the pews, and we become an army of people to invest in the life of tomorrow. I’m delighted to service and support 20/20 Vision for Schools.”
Frances Hesslebein, former President of the Girl Scouts of America and President of the Leader to Leader Institute (formerly the Peter Drucker Foundation):
“Strengthening the leadership of churches and communities through 20/20 will help to build healthy children, strong schools, and exceptional employees of the future.”
Dr. McKenzie Pier, President of The New York City Leadership Center:
“20/20 provides a doorway into the soul of the city by empowering people of faith to connect with and serve local public schools.”
Dr. Fernando Arzola Jr., Chair, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, Assistant Professor of Youth Ministry, Nyack College
The 2020 Vision School initiative is an excellent opportunity for churches to intentionally connect and work with a local school. The Coalition is a thoughtful, professional and cutting-edge group of urban youth workers from the NYC area. I wholeheartedly endorse this program.
Found Online
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From Fuller Youth Institute at Fuller Seminary
Brilliant. Rather than posturing for position in the political games that often drive education reform (or fail to drive it, as the case may be), this movement seeks to open source their process and radically model sharing to kids by sharing with one another. … I don’t have this figured out, but I’m inspired by what our friend in New York is doing. And I’m stirred to get better at what I continually ask my own young children to do: share.
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From Youth Specialties Blog:
I hope you are as challenged and encouraged by Jeremy’s deep sense of bringing educational justice to New York City. His goal is to help churches engage more than 2 million children. 2 million kids! Head over to the 2020 Vision for Schools website. If you’re ready to jump in on the discussion of bringing the 2020 principles to your community, join the facebook group.
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From Urban Youth Workers Institute Blog:
20/20 Vision mobilizes churches regarding educational justice and why they should embrace it in their own city and community. Your church likely has connections to your local schools and 20/20 Vision challenges your church to become the educational motivant in the community. Join the movement to transform public education nationwide, and feel free to adapt 20/20 Vision experiences and strategy to your city.
+ From DJ Chuang’s Blog (Leadership Network):
I’ve met Jeremy on several occasions, and he comes across as a gentle giant, a soft spoken lawyer. But I know there’s a lot of fire and passion in him, and seeing the fruit of his labor, an amazing guy. Keep an eye on this one, and bring it to your community too.
+ From John Liotti’s blog (CCDA board member):
I’m praying that this idea will take hold in [Northern California].
+ From Steve Trevino’s Blog (Victory Family Center, Houston):
This could be the single most transforming initiative for public education ever. Let this vision stir you and your church to action. This could change everything!
In the News
+ “20/20 Vision for Schools Gets a Little Clearer” (Tri-State Voice, January 2009). Download the PDF. Here’s an excerpt:
As a first-hand witness to the power of adoption, Jeremy Del Rio knows that failing public schools and students can be changed with some intervention. That’s why he helped found the 20/20 Vision for Schools last year with The Coalition of Urban Youth Workers, a regional network of youth specialists. The seeds for the initiative were planted when Del Rio’s Generation Xcel youth group teamed with the Southern Baptists to paint some local schools in a summer community service project, which opened a door with school administrators.
The New York City Leadership Center has embraced 20/20 as its first initiative, and brought together representatives from the Church, business, education, and political arenas for its “Leadership Conversation.” The consortium sought to find strategies and solutions regarding urban education, specifically in New York City, as it heard from various national experts and made recommendations that will enhance the “20/20 Vision Adopt-A-School” program.
“This is a time of urgency,” said Newark Mayor Corey Booker. “Why do we tolerate a world where children, born with God’s genius, are going to school in environments that are not nurturing that genius and manifesting the divine within them?”
