Grade School Chess Team - South Side of Chicago
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Earle Stem Academy math teacher Joseph Ocol started a chess program for a school located in one of the poorest and most violent neighborhoods in Chicago because, "I relate chess with life. This is not just about a game winning; it is about life because I want to improve their lives."
It has been a smashing success for the kids--and they love it. To wit, https://abc7chicago.com/education/englewood-students-win-big-at-national-junior-high-school-chess-championship/5293018/
"I wanted to learn how to play chess because I thought it was pretty cool and I didn't see a lot of girls playing it," 6th grader Christina Williams said. "I really wanted to learn because I thought it would help me with my mind and expand my mindset and the way that I think and help me with my everyday problems."
Unfortunately, as the Chicago Public School system is one of the worst-run in the country and priority isn't made to resource success, Ocol needs to raise private funds so his kids can compete in the state tournament (Peoria, IL, Feb. 28-29) and national tournament (Jacksonville, FL, April 22-26).
Per Ocol, transportation, lodging and food for 10 persons to Peoria prices out at $3,050 and $8,725 for the same to Jacksonville.
This is a Jaime-Escalante-quality story coming out of one of the toughest neighborhoods in America. I hope you will join me in supporting this team and these kids.
NOTE:
In the interests of full transparency and so you know 100% of the money raised will get to the intended beneficiary, you should know that I am working with Joseph Ocol, the chess team's coach.
Ocol communicated to me, "I cannot accept money, in any form, from the donors. But I or the CPS cannot do anything if the donors would want to pay directly the hotel or the transportation (bus or air fare) or the food (restaurant or gift cards)."
To avoid the delay attendant with sending the funds to the Chicago Public School system as well as to prevent CPS from taking a cut as an admin fee which they have done previously with funds raised for the chess team, I will be depositing the money in my account and then I will pay the the transportation and lodging providers directly as well as the restaurant(s) where the kids will eat. Again, Ocol is providing me with all the travel arrangement detials for his team so there is no confusion. To reiterate, 100% of the funds raised (minus the GoFundMe fee) will go to the Earle Stem Academy Chess Team.
It has been a smashing success for the kids--and they love it. To wit, https://abc7chicago.com/education/englewood-students-win-big-at-national-junior-high-school-chess-championship/5293018/
"I wanted to learn how to play chess because I thought it was pretty cool and I didn't see a lot of girls playing it," 6th grader Christina Williams said. "I really wanted to learn because I thought it would help me with my mind and expand my mindset and the way that I think and help me with my everyday problems."
Unfortunately, as the Chicago Public School system is one of the worst-run in the country and priority isn't made to resource success, Ocol needs to raise private funds so his kids can compete in the state tournament (Peoria, IL, Feb. 28-29) and national tournament (Jacksonville, FL, April 22-26).
Per Ocol, transportation, lodging and food for 10 persons to Peoria prices out at $3,050 and $8,725 for the same to Jacksonville.
This is a Jaime-Escalante-quality story coming out of one of the toughest neighborhoods in America. I hope you will join me in supporting this team and these kids.
NOTE:
In the interests of full transparency and so you know 100% of the money raised will get to the intended beneficiary, you should know that I am working with Joseph Ocol, the chess team's coach.
Ocol communicated to me, "I cannot accept money, in any form, from the donors. But I or the CPS cannot do anything if the donors would want to pay directly the hotel or the transportation (bus or air fare) or the food (restaurant or gift cards)."
To avoid the delay attendant with sending the funds to the Chicago Public School system as well as to prevent CPS from taking a cut as an admin fee which they have done previously with funds raised for the chess team, I will be depositing the money in my account and then I will pay the the transportation and lodging providers directly as well as the restaurant(s) where the kids will eat. Again, Ocol is providing me with all the travel arrangement detials for his team so there is no confusion. To reiterate, 100% of the funds raised (minus the GoFundMe fee) will go to the Earle Stem Academy Chess Team.
Organizer
Dan Proft
Organizer
Chicago, IL
