Challenges to Collin's Elementary:

The smallest school in Broward County, Collin's Elementary is often forgotten and faces significant adversity. Their major challenges include lack of funding, increased enrollment and community hardships that feed a cycle of poverty. Collins Elementary is a racially diverse school and employs diverse faculty and support staff. They are located in a low socioeconomic status community of Dania Beach, FL. 94% of the student population is economically disadvantaged, qualifying for free and reduced lunch status. The crime rate in the area is 81% higher than the national average. Many of the students experience broken homes, parents who are absent, food insecurity, lack of access to routine health care, language barriers, and gang violence.

Collins Elementary has a history of resilience despite adversity. The school increased from a “C” school to an “A” school in 2017. However in 2017-2018 school year, an increase in population and a significant reduction in available funds led to a drop to “D” status. 

These limitations are not dampening these children or staff's spirits. The increase in population was in part due to children choosing to attend Collins because they want to be at this school. Teachers and support staff take a “whatever it takes” approach to individualize the curriculum and support each student. We ask your help in supporting the school's commitment to excellence, personal growth, and effective collaboration. There IS hope. 

This SAFE HAVEN at the heart of Collin's Elementary represents our vision as the ML39FLL team of a loving, courageous, authentic and connected world. We have committed to supporting the request from devoted and knowledgeable staff to update their old media center. Our goal through the remodel is to pass along a message of worthiness. As adults, we understand the importance of our environment- it can either help us thrive or keep us stagnant. We are committed to having every single child at Collins elementary thrive.

We will replace old furniture, refurbish shelves, remodel the floors and change the window panels. The majority of the build will take place on the weekend of June 8th & 9th. The refurbishments total just over $20,000, and we are doing everything it takes to get the equipment requested through direct donation, in-kind donations, and fundraising events and sales. 

We have also started creating connections with the school by volunteering our time for career day and have plans to create events such as a “Day of Love.”

The Potential Impact of Your Support:

Imagine the impact we will make on these students if we gave this school better tools to create a safe space for kids to go when they are in distress? What if we foster a culture and love of reading that will support their dreams? What if we continue to empower the teachers to stand for these children? Supporting a school has a multiplier effect -- a school impacts hundreds of students, and each child that gets they matter has the potential to inspire countless others. We are excited to create that chain reaction where the default is to give back! Join us in nurturing these children and break a cycle of limitations in these kids by hanging their environment.