NEW YORK, September 24, 2013 – Harlem Lacrosse & Leadership (HLL), is proud to that announce that it has raised $20,000 in less than a weeks time to fund and support its first full time girls lacrosse program at PS/MS 149 – The Sojourner Truth School. HLL used an Indiegogo campaign to reach its fundraising goal in record breaking time.
The HLL is a youth organization that uses lacrosse training and academic intervention to instill leadership skills and social responsibility in students in grades 6 through 8 at public schools in Harlem.
"We already have successful HLL programs in two schools that serve nearly a 100 boys and have generated over $5.2 million dollars in academic scholarship offers,” said HLL founder Simon Cataldo. “Our Indiegogo campaign will finally allow us replicate this incredible opportunity for girls.”
The funds raised from the campaign will be used exclusively to hire the HLL’s first ever girls’ Program Director. The role of the Program Director includes coaching the Sojourner Truth Middle School’s girl lacrosse team, organizing community service projects, providing academic and behavioral support throughout the school day and facilitating no-cost secondary school admissions counseling services to students and their families.
"We are thrilled that HLL is piloting the first ever full-time lacrosse/academic intervention program for girls at The Sojourner Truth School," said Barbara Darrigo, Principal of The Sojourner Truth School. "We have seen the positive, life-changing effects the program has had on our male student athletes and we are looking for the girls program to have the same impact."
Utilizing the crowdfunding platform Indiegogo, HLL aims to involve the broader community in our goal of developing strong female student athletes. This grassroots fundraising campaign includes perks for financial contributions including: artwork designed by girls in the Sojourner Truth School lacrosse program, HLL gear, paraphernalia from famed lacrosse player Steele Stanwick, a personalized lacrosse lesson with an HLL Program Director, sponsorship of a college admissions trip and even the opportunity to support one girl throughout the season.
To donate to the campaign, please visit The Harlem Lacrosse Girls Program Indiegogo page.
To learn more about HLL please visit our website at http://www.harlemlacrosse.org/