DurhamCares

2012 Total Operating Budget: $99,000

What

The mission of Crayons2Calculators (C2C) is to enhance the educational and academic needs of students in Durham Public Schools by providing free school supplies to Durham Public School teachers. C2C facilitates the transfer of school supplies from donors directly to teachers in the Durham Public Schools. In the process, C2C advocates for strong public schools and makes teachers feel appreciated by showing visible public support. We improve the quality of education in Durham by giving students the tools they need to learn and teachers the resources they need to teach.

Why

Durham, N.C. classrooms are under-equipped. Classrooms run out of chalk halfway through the year. Teachers dip into their own pockets, spending up to $500 a year for school supplies. This is indicative of Durham, a city grappling with poverty and racial inequalities. Nearly 50% of students in the Durham Public Schools live at or near the poverty level; these students come from households struggling to make ends meet that cannot provide school supplies. Crayons2Calculators seeks to meet this need by providing Durham teachers with essential supplies. C2C believe education is society’s most important public investment. A first-class education prepares Durham students to be the next generation of active citizens, good parents, and community leaders. To ensure that all Durham students have equal access to educational resources, Crayons2Calculators operates a warehouse that provides school supplies to Durham teachers for free.

C2C’s core service is operating a free teacher store in downtown Durham. Teachers are invited to “shop” for free classroom supplies. Each quarter, C2C invites teachers from 5-6 local schools to shop once during our giveaway hours. Giveaway hours are held on Saturday and after school on Tuesday and Thursday. Each teacher is given 100 points to spend during their shopping trip. C2C estimate that 100 points is equivalent to 100 dollars worth of supplies. To date, C2C have conducted twelve giveaway events, donating $91,413 worth of school supplies to 1,192 teachers from a total of 35 schools in Durham.

 Amy Cummings

Executive Director

Crayon2Calculator’s Board of Directors

Students:
Michael Althoff—UNC
Jonathan Cohen—Duke
Forrest Flemming—UNC
Alli Gruber—Duke
Bradley Heinz—Duke
Ellen Mishler—Duke

Community Board Members:
Teddie Brown—Former Hart Leadership Program Coordinator, Duke University, Retired
Lynne Dubay—DPS Teacher
Kennan Eaddy—Former Student Team member/ Counseling intern at Forrest View Elementary
Bill Griffith—Former Vice President of Student Affairs at Duke University/ DURO member
Margaret Rubiera—Community Member
Ben Silver—Former Student Team member/ Maverick Capital Fund
Steve Schewel—Former Durham School Board Member/ founder Carolina Independent Publications
Jim Wilkerson—Duke Stores

Crayons2Calculators_2011_Report.pdf

Crayons2Calculators_2010_Report.pdf