11/2014 – GlassRoots can now raise money here for a new furnace thanks to Indiegogo’s new Forever Funding!

At GlassRoots we use the power of glass to engage and change the lives of underserved youth.  Last summer, our supporters got us over the top with an Indiegogo deadline campaign that raised funds to recover from an electrical fire. Now, Indiegogo has selected us for their new Forever Funding Campaign. And boy, did their offer come in the nick of time!

Time and again we've seen a disengaged, trouble-bound young person transformed by the fascination of glassmaking. Because glassmaking requires patience, teamwork, problem solving discipline and focus, our programs can uniquely teach these essential life skills.

But glassmaking is while effective, is also expensive. A glass furnace, which keeps glass molten, typically has a life span of 4 years.  We’ve kept ours going for an amazing 7 years -- but it’s limping on its very last legs, and might not last through the year.  We need to raise $20,000 – FAST-- to replace it. 

Thanks to Indiegogo’s new Forever Funding Program, you can help us replace our old, failing furnace with a new one that will serve our students without fail. Join this campaign to keep GlassRoots a safe haven for Newark’s youth - a space for learning and growth.

Jason weighs in:

Newark’s Underserved Youth Have Little Access to Art in Their Lives or Schools

Only 32% of Newark’s high school students have access to art classes and studies show youth with arts education are 4 times more likely to participate in science fairs, 3 times more likely to win awards for attendance, 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, 3 times more likely to run for class office, and have a 4% dropout rate vs. students who do not have arts education - who have a dropout rate of 22%!

Our students can tell you what your gift toward a new furnace means to them:

Recently, with the leadership of a new director, and the support of new donors, we‘ve introduced several innovative programs that can – through glassmaking - engage more youth and have much greater impact.  But these new programs also strain our facility, and we desperately need that furnace to keep these programs going strong!

Help us take advantage of this wonderful opportunity from Indiegogo, and help us guide some very gifted young people into meaningful careers. To make glass, fire transforms sand and silicates into exquisite glass objects. 

GlassRoots will use your gift to transform our students, who often come from challenging backgrounds, into productive citizens with sustainable jobs and bright futures.

Here’s how else you can help:

·  Amazon.com customers: Do your online shopping at Amazon Smile to donate a % of all purchases to GlassRoots.org

·  Stay connected. Follow GlassRoots on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date on our activities and  our progress.

Our students need to know that we will always have the ability to be up and running. They depend on us.

Please consider making a gift - we'll appreciate each and every one! Share this campaign on your Facebook, Twitter and webpage.  And be sure to tell all  of your friends!  We thank you!