Mission statement about SPLAT

 Overview:

 

My name is Michael Guggenheim.  I am almost 13 years old, and have graduated from 6^th Grade, and will start middle school in the fall at Wildwood School in Los Angeles, California.  I overcame a challenge called Dysgraphia, which is a motor processing problem which makes it difficult for me to write and to get my thoughts out on paper (attached is a description published by a branch of the “International Dyslexia and Dysgraphia Association”).  The tool that changed everything for me was learning how to use a computer or laptop.  Now I want to share this tool with all children so that they can have the future they want too.  Nowadays if you do not know how to type or have basic computer skills, it is difficult to get a good job and you will be left behind in the world.  These skills are easier to learn when you are young.  For example, I began to use programs such as excel, word and power point in my school papers and math assignments as early as third grade, but many adults are unable to do this.   Many disadvantaged kids and teenagers do not have early opportunity and access to learning and using these computer skills and it is difficult to catch up later.

 

Mission:  My mission is to provide computers and learning software to children in shelters, low income residential projects and community centers because they might not otherwise have enough opportunities to learn how to use these tools.  My other mission is to be able to give every child I tutor a laptop when his/her family leaves a transitional living center to a home of their own. 

 

How I have already been reaching my goal: I have formed the non-profit 501 (c) corporation named S.P.L.A.T. – Showing People Learning and Technology.  My Articles of Incorporation have been stamped by the Secretary of State and can be provided to all potential donors as proof of SPLAT’s status and intent.  I have also a federal Trademark registration for SPLAT.  I have also been approved by the I.R.S. as an exempt corporation under Section 501 c 3 of the Internal Revenue Code, and SPLAT’s Federal Tax Identification No. is 26-0642173, and my donors can receive a charitable tax credit on their tax reports.   I have also established an wordpress website for SPLAT: http://splatcharity.wordpress.com/

 

If you go to SPLAT’s website, you can learn about what SPLAT has accomplished this last year.  I have received monetary donations, software, and laptop donations from many companies and people who are listed as donors in my website.  If you go to the second page of SPLAT’s website “Posts”, you can find the links to a Los Angeles Times article dated January 7, 2008 which profiled SPLAT’s work at the Los Angeles Family Housing, Transitional Living Center (TLC), located in North Hollywood, CA.  You can also use the link (or go to http://youtube.com/ and search “Michael Guggenheim”) and view the interviews that Good Morning America and CNN Headlines filmed earlier this year about SPLAT.

 

I have been tutoring students every week at TLC and I am happy to report that several of my students’ families have graduated to their own homes and each of these students have received a laptop to take with them.  I am training some of my friends to continue the tutoring at TLC, and I am planning to launch SPLAT at a new Westside location, closer to my Middle School (since my mom still has to drive me after school!).  I will continue to ask people and companies to donate laptops, software or money so that I can continue to give laptops to every kid from the two locations where SPLAT will hopefully be working with kids.

 

Conclusion: Over the past year, these kids have taught me so much and have all been so nice, polite, and so appreciative of the tutoring time and laptops they receive. After seeing all these great kids it enlightens my heart to see them going to their own homes with their own laptops and smiles on their faces.