YMCA playground equipment was recently donated by Harris Rosen.
youngsters to graduate from high school would benefit us by $250 billion, then forget about the emotional component and do it from a practical perspective. Do it because it’s for the benefit of the United States of America. And these youngsters will lead productive lives, they will pay taxes, they will have homes, they will have families and they will have jobs.”
Economic Development Report A recent economic development report conducted by a professor at the University of Chicago showed there would be a return to society of $7 to $9 for every dollar invested in such programs. The report—which was prepared at the request of the Tangelo Park program for the benefit of individuals, foundations and corporations considering instituting a similar community adoption initiative—stated that society spends between $100,000 and $150,000 a year for each individual who is incarcerated. If five, six or seven people less are incarcerated each year because of the program, more than a half-million dollars
will be saved. If students continue their education and graduate from college, they make $1 million dollars more over their lifetime than a high school graduate; and if they get a post-graduate degree, they make $1 million more than a college graduate over their lifetime. Mr. Rosen is hoping that major league sports franchises, such as the NBA, NFL and NHL whose stadiums are traditionally in downtown urban areas will hear about the program and use the Tangelo Park template to adopt the neighborhoods surrounding their arenas. “Wouldn’t that be fantastic? Our society in 15 years would be so different that we wouldn’t recognize it.” Another great obstacle to affluent individuals and groups adopting communities is that it is not a one-time deal, Mr. Rosen said. “It’s not just writing a check and shaking somebody’s hand and then moving on and doing something else.” Adopting a community means being there day-in and day-out, for years and years and that may be a disadvantage for some foundations, he said.
The Sphinx: www.APA1906.net
Spring • Summer 2007
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