Julia Young Recognized as Mays Fifth Third Bank Orlando Magic Maker
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.
About the Fifth Third Bank Orlando Magic Maker Program
Every month the Magic and Fifth Third Bank select a community member as the Fifth Third Bank Orlando Magic Maker for his or her dedication and significant contribution to the Orlando community. For more information, or to nominate someone, visit www.nba.com/magic/community/magicmakers.html or stop by any Fifth Third Bank.
About Fifth Third Bank
Fifth Third Bank (Central Florida) is a subsidiary of Fifth Third Bancorp, a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Company has $119 billion in assets, operates 16 affiliates with 1,311 full-service Banking Centers, including 95 Bank Mart(R) locations open seven days a week inside select grocery stores and 2,354 ATMs in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Georgia and North Carolina. Fifth Third operates five main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending, Investment Advisors and Fifth Third Processing Solutions. Fifth Third is among the largest money managers in the Midwest and, as of March 31, 2009, has $166 billion in assets under care, of which it managed $23 billion for individuals, corporations and not-for-profit organizations. Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Fifth Third's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ(R) National Global Select Market under the symbol "FITB."
About The Orlando Magic
Orlando’s NBA franchise since 1989, the Magic’s mission is to be world champions on and off the court, delivering legendary moments every step of the way. On the court, Orlando has won four division championships (1995, 1996, 2008, 2009), had five 50-plus win seasons, and won the Eastern Conference title in 1995. Off the court, on an annual basis the Orlando Magic gives more than $2 million to the local community by way of sponsorships of events, donated tickets, autographed merchandise, scholarships and grants. Orlando Magic community relations programs impact an estimated 75,000 kids each year, while a Magic staff-wide initiative provides more than 5,000 volunteer hours annually. In addition, over the last 19 years nearly $15 million has been distributed to local non-profit community organizations via the Orlando Magic Youth Fund (OMYF), a fund of the McCormick Foundation since 1994, which serves at risk and disadvantaged youth. Season ticket highlights include: 7,569 seats priced $25 or under per game; a $27 lower bowl ticket; and tickets priced at $10 per game. For ticket information log on to orlandomagic.com or call 407-89-MAGIC.
Through the National Basketball Association’s NBA CARES program, the league, players and teams will raise and contribute $100 million for charity, donate more than 1 million hours of hands-on volunteer service to communities worldwide, and build more than 100 places where kids can learn and play over the next five years.
The Orlando Magic is also the developer of the new downtown Events Center which will compete to host major national events, concerts and family shows. Opening in the fall of 2010, the facility will be operated by the City of Orlando and owned by the Central Florida Community.
Follow the Orlando Magic on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Orlando_Magic
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.
About the Fifth Third Bank Orlando Magic Maker Program
Every month the Magic and Fifth Third Bank select a community member as the Fifth Third Bank Orlando Magic Maker for his or her dedication and significant contribution to the Orlando community. For more information, or to nominate someone, visit www.nba.com/magic/community/magicmakers.html or stop by any Fifth Third Bank.
About Fifth Third Bank
Fifth Third Bank (Central Florida) is a subsidiary of Fifth Third Bancorp, a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Company has $119 billion in assets, operates 16 affiliates with 1,311 full-service Banking Centers, including 95 Bank Mart(R) locations open seven days a week inside select grocery stores and 2,354 ATMs in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Georgia and North Carolina. Fifth Third operates five main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending, Investment Advisors and Fifth Third Processing Solutions. Fifth Third is among the largest money managers in the Midwest and, as of March 31, 2009, has $166 billion in assets under care, of which it managed $23 billion for individuals, corporations and not-for-profit organizations. Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Fifth Third's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ(R) National Global Select Market under the symbol "FITB."
About The Orlando Magic
Orlando’s NBA franchise since 1989, the Magic’s mission is to be world champions on and off the court, delivering legendary moments every step of the way. On the court, Orlando has won four division championships (1995, 1996, 2008, 2009), had five 50-plus win seasons, and won the Eastern Conference title in 1995. Off the court, on an annual basis the Orlando Magic gives more than $2 million to the local community by way of sponsorships of events, donated tickets, autographed merchandise, scholarships and grants. Orlando Magic community relations programs impact an estimated 75,000 kids each year, while a Magic staff-wide initiative provides more than 5,000 volunteer hours annually. In addition, over the last 19 years nearly $15 million has been distributed to local non-profit community organizations via the Orlando Magic Youth Fund (OMYF), a fund of the McCormick Foundation since 1994, which serves at risk and disadvantaged youth. Season ticket highlights include: 7,569 seats priced $25 or under per game; a $27 lower bowl ticket; and tickets priced at $10 per game. For ticket information log on to orlandomagic.com or call 407-89-MAGIC.
Through the National Basketball Association’s NBA CARES program, the league, players and teams will raise and contribute $100 million for charity, donate more than 1 million hours of hands-on volunteer service to communities worldwide, and build more than 100 places where kids can learn and play over the next five years.
The Orlando Magic is also the developer of the new downtown Events Center which will compete to host major national events, concerts and family shows. Opening in the fall of 2010, the facility will be operated by the City of Orlando and owned by the Central Florida Community.
Follow the Orlando Magic on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Orlando_Magic
