Julia Young will be honored during the May 10 game vs. Boston for her extraordinary service to Central Florida.
WHO: Julia Young will be recognized for her commitment to Page 15, a nonprofit literacy arts program. As part of her recognition, Young will select a charitable organization to receive a $500 check from Fifth Third Bank. For more information on Young and the Fifth Third Bank Orlando Magic Maker Program, please see below.
WHEN: Young will be honored at halftime of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Celtics.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Tip-off: 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Amway Arena
600 W. Amelia St.
About Fifth Third Bank Orlando Magic Maker Julia Young
Throughout her youth, Julia Young would visit her grandmother in upstate New York each summer. It was during those summer trips that her grandmother instilled in her the value of a good book, a creative imagination and a desire for excellence – an excellence founded in reading and writing. In fact, Young’s grandmother always had a rule that she must read to page 15 of any book before deciding it wasn’t worthwhile or casting it aside.
After graduating college in 2001, Young’s passion led her to spend one year in France where she lived with and taught English to a family. With a career in real estate marketing, Young, an Orlandoan since birth, found her heart increasingly drawn to teaching children to read and write. This led her to take a sabbatical from her chosen real estate career, and in 2005, she traveled to Peru to volunteer in an orphanage and to teach English as a foreign language.
As the economy began to decline and recessionary indicators took hold, Young fell victim to layoffs. While some could justify this as a reason for concern and fear of the future, Julia saw it as an opportunity to begin doing what she had always wanted to do – start a school that focused on reading and writing for youth.
“It was one of those ‘ah-ha’ moments,” explained Young. “And it was now or never, I’m going to do it.”
Julia began traveling around the country to study different literacy programs. Her goal was to create a program in downtown Orlando that would make an impact on the lives of students in a creative and fun way.
In 2007 Julia created a nonprofit literacy arts program called Page 15, which is a program committed to providing supplemental reading and writing education for all students living and attending public schools in Orlando. Named for her grandmother’s rule, it has an even deeper meaning now as she seeks to invest in the lives of young people who live in the heart of downtown Orlando, and more specifically, the Parramore area.
“Probably 70 to 80 percent of my kids are from Parramore,” says Young, who, although has no children of her own, notes she has “adopted” more than 100 kids. “And all of our programs are offered for free. Reading should not be an exclusive activity of people who can afford it.”
It’s not just about improving student’s grades or teaching them how to read and creatively write. Young doesn’t want children to fear failure and expect judgment at every turn, but to be open to a whole new world of possibilities. In creating Page 15, Young has established an environment where children can express themselves – an element she believes is a source of power and confidence – and the results of which can take kids very far.
Some would think the downturn of the economy is an inopportune time to try new endeavors, but Young saw it differently. She started her organization in the midst of being unemployed, and through the process she witnessed both her life’s calling and new vocation intersect.
“The world needed this and I needed this,” Young simply stated.
With the financial donations from dedicated individuals, Young has been able to make a difference in the lives of many at-risk youth in Parramore. More than 275 students a month receive tutoring instruction. An additional 60 students are expected in the next few months for a special summer camp where children will learn to illustrate characters, write songs and books and enhance their communication skills.
When the light bulb goes off and a child reaches a milestone, or writes an unbelievable sentence, story or book, Young says her mission is accomplished.
