why_tfsa

Why
Tiny Footsteps STEM Academy

THE NEED IS GREAT!

According to the most recent census data, there are 2,442 children under the age of five years old living in zip code 33407. Many of these children reside in the Pleasant City neighborhood, an underserved and disadvantaged community that is home to a variety of businesses and organizations, including churches, schools, and community centers. The Pleasant City neighborhood, where Tiny Footsteps will reside, is a microcosm of the struggles faced by many underprivileged areas in Palm Beach County.

Pleasant City is a historically Black neighborhood, but it is also a distressed one. The statistics below from the recent census data is alarming; however, for Pleasant City residents, that number is even smaller.

That is why Tiny Footsteps STEM Academy is committed to changing this narrative. Moreover, by providing children with access to a quality STEM education, we can help them break the cycle of poverty and achieve their full potential.

31%

Children Under Age 5 Living in Poverty in Zip Code 33407

Approximately 763 children under the age of five years old who reside in zip code 33407 are living at or below the poverty line.

77%

Black & Latino Children Under Age 5 Living in Zip Code 33407

More than 3 out of 4 children living in zip code 33407 hail from traditionally underserved minority communities.

39%

Children Living in Zip Code 33407 Who Enter Kindergarten and Can’t Read

According to a study by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, 67% of fourth graders who were not reading at grade level were arrested by the time they were 25 years old.

19%

Black & Latino College Graduates in Florida Earning a STEM Degree

A study conducted by the National Research Council, found that children who participate in high-quality STEM programs in early childhood are more likely to Pursue STEM careers in later life.

The Time is Now!

One study, conducted by the National Institute of Justice, found that 85% of all juveniles who interface with the juvenile justice system are functionally low literate.

There is a strong correlation between children who enter kindergarten not being able to read and prison population statistics. This is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. To that end, as a collective community, we need to make sure that all children have access to a quality education, and we need to make sure that children who are struggling to read get the support they need. And that’s where Tiny Footsteps STEM Academy steps in...