Established in 1998, the Emerald Chariot Foundation introduces innovative methods of learning that support family literacy, foster leadership and create safer communities. Our programs are educational, engaging, inspiring and results-driven, employing research and evidence-based best practices along with state-of-the-art methodologies and evaluation tools created by the University of California.

Emerald Chariot Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization established in 1998 to share its vision of enhancing economic development and humanitarian advancement through the delivery of unique and extraordinary methods of learning.

Our mission is to introduce innovative and effective methods of learning that support literacy, foster leadership and create safer, productive communities.

While our programs and workshops are designed for all populations, we currently serve residents of low-income communities in South Los Angeles, providing our Fun to Read program for preschool children and their families enrolled at Training & Research Foundation Head Start sites. We participate in community events and provide services to young adult leaders/social entpreneneurs in the Los Angeles community.

Our Fun to Read and Fun to Lead programs are both educational and inspiring, employing researh and evidence-based best practices that meet the standards of PepNet and the National Center for Family Litercy. Fun to Read is a comprehensive program that incorporates components of the nationally acclaimed Mother/Fatheread & Story Sharing curriculum, the Breakthrought Parent Education model, the RIF Care to Read and KCET media literacy modules. Our Fun to Lead workshops are dynamic in content, offering a multi-disciplinary approach to learning dispute resolutions skills by incorporating kinesthetic exercises derived from the martial art Aikido.

At the suggestion of one of our favorite volunteers, we are planning a series of Fun-Raisers - casual events for small groups where they can relax and meet a few celebs, poolside beginning in September.

Our Executive Director, Shelley Wax, has over ten years of experience working in the nonprofit sector with expertise in the areas of project design, development, implementation and evaluation. Shelley is responsible for all aspects of program administration, including fund development, compliance with local, state and federal regulations, board development and project oversight. Shelley holds a Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology, Certifications in Mediation, Parent Education and Business Services issued by the City of Los Angeles. In addition to operating a consulting company serving the public and private sectors, she is a published author and member of the Peace Dojo International Planning Committee based out of the University of Chicago.

Mitchell D. Oxman, Barry J. Paley, Jane Stapleton, Mindy Meyer, Amy Popkin, Lawrence Novick, Eduardo Cuomo.

Myrna Neugesser, Margaret Bryant, Shane Coleman

Reading Is Fundamental of Southern California, First Book National Book Bank, Screen Actors Guild Foundation, Children's Book World, Scholastic Books, First 5 LA, private donors

In addition to the delivery of high-quality, effective programs that provide a foundation upon which participants continue to build, our programs are noted for their creativity and achievements. Key to our success is our staff, comprised of experienced, talented, dedicated and engergized professionals who are familiar with the particular set of challenges faced by community members. We are uniquely positioned to make appropriate referrals for social services, workforce development and healthcare.

Our focus this year is to obtain funding to continue and expand our Fun to Read Program for children, siblings and parents; to increase the number of active board members, expand membership to young adults, secure capacity building, programmatic and sustainability funding and finance projects requested by schools and community-based organizations. We are considering merger/acquisition as well to ensure continuous service delivery.

On June 9th and 10th, Actor Lejon "Pirate" Stewart (Pirates of the Caribbean) and his friend, Jack the Parrot accompanied our facilitators and volunteers to 6 Head Start sites in the Watts, Inglewood and South Gate areas of Los Angeles, entertaining over 500 preschool children and their parents and distributing his favorite treasure - BOOKS! The children were delighted and repeated the Book Pirate's Message - books make you SMART! (Thank you Lejon!)