Robert Langford, Executive Director of Operation Shoestring, spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at the Club’s November 27 meeting. Mr. Langford discussed the history, role, and future plans of the organization. He is shown in the following photo with Rotarian Lori Greer who arranged for him to speak and introduced him.
One of Operation Shoestring’s strategic objectives is to enhance the educational achievement of the school-aged children it serves. For example, he pointed out that 97% of its 2017-2018 third graders passed the Third Grade Reading Proficiency Exam and were promoted to the fourth grade. This is a significant achievement in Shoestring’s service area. He also pointed out that 100% of the students in its high school Ambassadors program from all seven of Jackson Public Schools’ high school graduated from high school.
Shoestring is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2018. It was originally founded in Wells United Methodist Church’ facilities and is currently remodeling and enhancing its facilities on Bailey Avenue in a $2.5 million capital campaign to renovate its building and create an adjacent community greenspace and playground. Look for a grand opening of the transformed building and property in the late summer of 2019.
We thank Mr. Langford for his presentation to our club and for his service to the children of Jackson. He is shown in the following photo with Ms. Greer (left), Club President Anna Powers (second from right), and Ayana Kinnel (right), Operation Shoestring’s Communications Director.
