407 Highland Ct. P.O. Box 307 Iowa City, IA 52244 PHONE: 319-341-0060 FAX: 888-883-1235 www.myep.us
MYEP exists to provide advocacy and support to at-risk youth, children and adults with disabilities who face barriers to independence, and resources to their families.
Serving Johnson County since 1968
Dear Jim,
My name is Henri Harper I am the director of the FasTrac program , I am a 2011 recipient of the Iowa City Human Rights Award for my work with FasTrac students and their families. FasTrac just received the Iowa City Chamber of Commerce 2011 Diversity and Inclusion Award.
The FasTrac Program came into existence on December 3, 2007. At the beginning of that school year at City High, many students felt disconnected with their education and their community. During that time, FasTrac was originated. It was the decision of the students along with their parents, who felt the importance in taking responsibility for their own behavior and being accountable for their own education and success. FasTrac is a program that has now grown into a community-wide organization, serving students from 3rd grade through high school.
The goal of FasTrac is to empower youth to take responsibility for their education and community. FasTrac provides assistance for students in understanding that there are many individuals and organizations that are willing to support student efforts and academic goals. The FasTrac Program works together with schools, community members, students, and their families to provide opportunities for students to be involved. We assist students in becoming connected with job shadow opportunities, employment, and volunteering. We recently expanded the program to feature our FastLawns lawn care and snow removal business, FastSnacks snack vending truck, and FastFoods food tent. Each of these provides fundraising and employment for the youth in our community, also management of City park, amusement rides for the City of Iowa city.
Since the beginning, FasTrac has had a high academic success rate for students. All seniors who have participated in the FasTrac program has graduated from high school and are currently attending college: five students from 2009 and 18 students from 2010, 13 students from 2011. Now that we have expanded into a community-based program, we find that serving more youths is challenging. We need your support in order to make the program possible. By being a supporter of FasTrac, you will show students that there are others in the community who are supporting their efforts and who will hold them accountable in pursuing their education. We are currently serving over 80 students from the Iowa City area. With the financial needs of the program, your contribution will directly benefit these students in the following ways:
· Supporting student trips to colleges
·College entrance fees
·ACT/SAT fees
·Transportation costs to local community events
·Participation in diversity events (social and political networking through attending lectures, films, museums, etc.)
·FasTrac t-shirt and sweatshirt purchases
·Bus passes for student transportation to and from school & community events
·Extra-curricular activity fees and equipment
By supporting the FasTrac program, you will be helping guide the students of FasTrac to be involved in changing the perception of their selves, providing the possibility for a student’s future success, and being a part of the change and growth within the Iowa City community.
Thank you for your generous support and for being an involved member of our community. We appreciate your consideration. Your efforts will make a substantial difference in the program’s success, and ultimately, the lives of the youths and their families.
Sincerely,
Henri Harper
MYEP FasTrac Director
Yes, I/we wish to help with a donation of $________ Make checks payable to:
MYEP FasTrac Program. 407 Highland Ct, Iowa City IA 52240
___ $25 Bronze Membership
___$50 Silver Membership
___$100 Gold Membership
___$250+ Platinum Membership
___$1000 or above: Friends of FasTrac Membership