In 1999, Paul C. Mocombe created the Mocombeian Curriculum for The Russell Life Skills and Reading Foundation, Inc. to “tackle” the high illiteracy rate of inner city youth and the lack of educational resources available to them.In 2008, he established The Mocombeian Foundation, Inc. as a 501c 3 non-profit organization to teach the Mocombeian Curriculum, and provide the curriculum materials, Mocombe’s Reading Room Series, state and nationwide.

 

The Foundation’s Mission is, “Teaching Reading Strategically” with the overall goal of eradicating illiteracy among inner city youth and empowering, inspiring and encouraging at risk youth to become critical thinkers and close the achievement gap.

 

The Foundation’s after-school program is multi-faceted and combines the following three elements, in aggregate, to offer a holistic approach to addressing the problem of illiteracy among inner-city youth:

 

Mocombeian Reading Centers - engages students in creative learning experiences that foster a love for reading and enhance communications skills.

The Mentoring Program - promotes self-empowerment and positive life choices through engaging various professionals to speak on such topics as drug awareness, sportsmanship, goal setting and career choices.

Outreach- provides assistance to children and families in the form of clothing, books, school supplies, and food, as well as, referrals to family counselors (“Friends of Children”) when necessary.

 

Logistically, our program coincides with the Broward and Dade County School Boards’ academic year.It consists of four 9-week sessions with two 9-week sessions equaling a semester.The first semester runs from August to January and the second semester runs from February to June. During the academic year, students attend the program Monday through Thursday from 4:00pm-6:00pm.

 

Presently, approximately 80 children ranging in grades from kindergarten through high school are enrolled at our Reading Center. The students originate from 7 primary zip codes and 21 feeder schools, of which 15 are elementary, 5 are middle and 1 is a high school.Given the high level of illiteracy in the state of Florida (statewide 77% of fourth graders are reading below grade level) and nationwide, our vision is to have 5 centers, or Reading Centers, throughout the tri-county areas of Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach within the next 10 years, and provide our curriculum materials to school boards, non-profits, and parents throughout the nation free of charge.

 

Thus far the Foundation operates one Reading Center in Broward County, Florida (St. George Community Center), and provides curriculum materials to over 600 students throughout the nation.