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WILKES-BARRE — Author Erin Gruwell’s message of success through education will kick off the United Way of Wyoming Valley’s 2017 annual campaign celebration.

The event will be Thursday at the Keystone Ballroom, Mohegan Sun Pocono, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

According to a release from the United Way, Gruwell was a young teacher in one of the most impoverished and crime-ridden schools in Southern California, facing students the education system had written off, and who had little chance of success in life.

Her innovative approach to teaching propelled them in both school and life, and their experiences became the basis for her first book, “The Freedom Writers Diary,” which later was made into a movie starring Oscar winner Hilary Swank.

United Way of Wyoming Valley invites all Luzerne County residents to hear Gruwell’s inspirational message.

“We strongly believe that education, from birth through high school graduation, is essential to helping young people and families rise above poverty, and we are thrilled to have an educator like Erin Gruwell be a part of our Campaign Kickoff to share her experiences,” said Bill Jones, president and CEO of the United Way of Wyoming Valley. “Erin has been there, has taught the most disadvantaged students under the most difficult circumstances, and helped them move forward. We can’t wait to hear her insights.”

“The Freedom Writers Diary” is Gruwell’s best-seller about her journey with 150 students in which she encouraged them to use the power of education to write a book, graduate from high school and attend college. Inspired by the Diary of Anne Frank, those students captured their collective journey through their poignant entries.

United Way of Wyoming Valley’s 2017 campaign kickoff starts the fourth year of the organization’s Poverty to Possibility Movement, aimed at developing long-term solutions to reducing childhood poverty in the region by supporting new and existing strategies in the areas of education, income and health.

Nearly one-third of all children in Luzerne County live below the poverty level.

“We’ve been very encouraged by the support we are receiving for our mission of reducing childhood poverty,” Jones said. “Poverty takes an incredible toll on individuals and our community as a whole, and we continue to invest in programs to reduce the number of children and families living in poverty.”

Jones said the agency also has recognized issues closely linked to poverty, and it has begun to look at strategies to prevent child abuse and neglect, reduce addiction, and develop the local workforce.

Jones said local and national studies have shown that the poverty level in a community influences academic achievement, workforce readiness, economic development, crime and safety, government spending, health and health-care costs, and other issues.

Swank
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/web1_swank.jpg.optimal.jpgSwank

Jones
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/web1_Bill-Jones.jpg.optimal.jpgJones

Gruwell
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/web1_Erin-Gruwell.jpg.optimal.jpgGruwell

By Bill O’Boyle

[email protected]

IF YOU GO …

What: United Way of Wyoming Valley’s 2017 campaign kickoff reception.

• When: Thursday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

• Where: Keystone Ballroom, Mohegan Sun Pocono.

• Notable: The reception will include food, beverages and musical entertainment by “Big Daddy Dex.”

• Tickets: $40.

• Info: For more information or to make a reservation, call the United Way at 570-829-6711, or email Mary Price at [email protected].

Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.