This month, we are proud to support the Freedom Writers Foundation. You may know her as Erin Gruwell, but if you ask the 150 students in room 203, they will refer to her as their friend, a mentor, a teacher, a confidant, some may even consider her their hero. If you're unfamiliar with the Freedom Writers Foundation and how it began, it started with one woman who dismissed everything she read and heard about her students. She chose to listen to what her students had to say and saw beyond the stigma of their low test scores. Instead of choosing to do what every one of their previous teachers had done with them, she sought change; she encouraged them to express their feelings and write about their adversities through journaling. They started to form a diverse family, accepting of all, that they named the "Freedom Writers" after the 1960s Civil Rights activists, the Freedom Riders. These journals, later published in a book called "The Freedom Writers Diary," which became an instant "New York Times" Best Seller. In the end, all 150 Freedom Writers graduated in 1998. Many have gone on to pursue successful careers and higher education.

As a result, The Freedom Writers Foundation was born to help other educators and continue Erin's legacy. Her story became widely monumental that it was adapted into the 2007 film Freedom Writers, starring Hilary Swank. Make sure to watch this incredible story all month long on Positiv.

Support for the Freedom Writers Foundation results in highly effective educators, empowered students, and an education system that graduates students prepared for college and career.