S.T.E.M. class sponsorships
Donation protected
Please see update and new video!
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPONSOR CHILDREN'S S.T.E.M. (Science. Technology.Engineering.Math.) CLASSES.
(Click link for my Mr. Bill's S.T.E.M. Education FB page)
This is primarily an appeal to businesses, corp's etc. so please share this with any business owner, HR/PR, etc. you may have contact with. Regarding individuals, if 60 folks are able to do $1 each, it would sponsor a kiddo's classes for three months. Just a thought :)
So, this is an odd position in which I find myself with regard to my S.T.E.M. Education Classes business. And, I know there are many others who are in similar situations, so I'm not under any self-pity or woe-is-me cloud. I also know that there may be those who think this idea is odd, etc. That's ok, if you feel that way, I respect your opinion, but I’m doing this as the best possible solution I may have right now in retaining my business. Also, I fully understand that God answers prayers, and He has answered so many in my life I can't even count them. But I also know that sometimes He calls upon us to act, which is what I'm doing here.
Just to give a summary so you understand: I have owned and operated a franchise and now independently operating as (initially) kids’ computer classes which evolved to technology and now S.T.E.M. education. I began in 1999. The business has had its ups and downs, but God has always honored the commitment I have given both to the business and to giving Him the glory for the success. I have been humbled and honored to do what I do, which I love, since 1999.
The business has been through several transitions since 1999. Added, subtracted, exchanged, transitioned franchise territories and finally the opportunity to shed the franchise fees and go fully on my own. I actually built and ran the territories this whole time, so the shedding of the franchise tag has been an added blessing.
Over the course of the years, I have added schools, dropped schools, added and discontinued equipment, programs, etc. I have given discounts & scholarships where needed. I have also kept my monthly fee (only $20 per month for two classes per month) the same since 2010, never charged enrollment fees, credit card fees, etc. I have always wanted to keep the cost down so that any parent could afford to have their child in my program. I should have raised the amount 4-5 years ago, but I chose not to take the chance of eliminating students just to try and increase my income, though it has been needed, especially now. God has always honored those decisions as well. I've never made a "killing", we don't live in a $350,000 home, the vehicles we drive are all more than 10 years old, we take very fun but very thrifty vacations, we shop at Aldi's and Bargain Hunters and use coupons and take advantage of ever discount.....and we are blessed.
So you understand how my S.T.E.M. education business works (my photography is about 90% community, volunteer, etc. so it is not really a factor, and has also been very limited since a few weeks after covid). I work mostly in CDC’s and preschools [but they call them “schools” so that’s what I mean in most cases when I say “my school(s)”]. I send flyers home with each child aged 2 and up describing my classes and giving the parents my contact info, dates for the classes at their CDC/preschool and the cost for the classes. They can choose to sign them up but are never obligated. they can stop when they wish, there is no enrollment fee, discontinue fee, they even skip payment for classes they miss (though they aren't really supposed to). I can go into a school and have as little as 3-4 signed up or as many as the whole school. Usually, it is around 10-12 kiddos. If there are less than 10-12 then I combine two schools on one morning. Classes are about 30 min, 6-7 kids in a class. They learn robotics, coding, keyboard and pc skills and terminology, use snap circuits, etc. It's a great time and they learn many things that they will definitely use later in life. That’s a very quick overview.
March 13, 2020....I received my first "discontinuing classes due to Covid -19" message from one of my schools while on the way to Liberty for a men's conference. Then the second and third and fourth over the weekend. I returned to just a couple of my classes that following week. March 20 was the last day I was able to do regular full-time classes. Over the summer, I was able to do a few summer camps. As of Sept, when everything would be back to normal, I will be at about half or a little less than half my schedule. Again, I know there are others whose businesses have and are still suffering in this mess, I'm not trying to convince anyone I'm in more of a desperate situation than others, I am sure I not, but I am in danger of losing the business I have operated for 20+ years. While you might say, "so get another job", I can tell you, at the age of 57 (apparently not an attractive new hire age) I have applied for so many jobs of different genres, none of the ones that have even offered me anything have even been what I can make half schedule of my business. So, it wouldn't make sense to quit now when the forecast for 2021, hopefully, would be back to full strength.
Also, there have been so many who have been supportive, helped out, places we have been able to get help from, etc. and my wife has been awesome in all this, so I'm NOT discounting any of the tremendous blessings we/I have received and been a part of in all this.
What is my proposal? I hope I can explain it correctly. I'm not asking for donations to support me or my family, although there have been MANY who have offered that and who HAVE contributed monetarily, with food, etc. What this is is an offer for those who would be interested in helping kids who are not enrolled in my classes. While I will already be teaching at about half of my schools, I can also take children to class whose parents are unable to afford to let them participate. Also, it can go toward keeping my classes at the same affordable rate until things settle down and we get back to normal and I can re-consider a price increase.
You can choose a sponsorship of any amount and I can apply it whichever way is most efficient during the next 4-6 months OR, you can specify. If used specifically for a child to go to classes, I can apply the current $20 rate and a sponsorship of $20 would allow one child classes for one month, $60 for 3 months, $120 for six months, etc. If used to keep the rate the same then amounts would be applied appropriately. I would keep the sponsorship's at the $20 rate until the funds are depleted then I would look at each case individually and consider which one to continue to take to class at a full scholarship (at my cost). I will also continue to contribute my time to scholarships where deemed necessary & keep my rate at $20 per month. So, I'm still willing to and going to give back where I can as well.
This is probably a situation best for a business, corporation, etc. So if you have contacts who make those decisions, I would appreciate you passing this on.
Thanks for taking the time to read and consider this. If you decide not to sponsor or if you simply can’t my family and I will covet your ongoing prayers as we muddle through this “interesting” time. If you are able to sponsor then thank you so much for your generosity, this was not an easy thing for me to approach and address but I can assure you that your sponsorship will be appreciated both by me and by a child who attends my classes. God bless!
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE
(704)880-0705
Organizer
Bill Ward
Organizer
Stanley, NC