DRC Funding Appeal

The Deep Root Center Board of Directors is conscious of the variety and sheer volume of charitable giving options you have during this holiday season. In the spirit of the philosophy that informs our dedication to providing choices to young people, we thank you for choosing to take the time to read our appeal and we honor the work of all those organizations in our community and the wider world.

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Hello Friends,

Deep Root Center for Self-Directed Learning (DRC) first opened its doors on January 7, 2014, bringing a unique and completely individualized educational model to the North Country. During our successful six-month pilot program, we served six part-time students. Those youth gained invaluable discernment time, allowing them insight into their personal goals. While we continue to recruit youth who want to become independent learners in this supportive, non-coercive, nurturing environment, we need your financial support.

Learning how to learn is the most valuable skill a young person can develop in the twenty-first century. Your contribution enables youth to pursue their passions and live happier lives.

Deep Root Center is modeled after North Star in Amherst MA. Since 1996 they have successfully supported teens who choose to leave school and become independent learners. To learn more about the North Star model view North Star founder, Ken Danford's TedX Talk, here. Please visit our website for detailed information about DRC.

Deep Root Center is specifically geared toward students who want to leave the traditional school model. The Center also serves homeschool families who want additional resources or social opportunities. The staff is available to help draft and file required homeschool documents. Through the Center, youth can access resources that include a comprehensive schedule of classes, one-on-one tutorials, mentoring, field trips, and materials for hands-on projects. In addition, the Center can help students find internships or shadowing opportunities, build portfolios and navigate the college admission process.

Community involvement is an important element of the Center's vision. Staff and youth collaborate with community members willing to help youth hone innate talents and acquire new skill sets. Deep Root Center believes such supervised mentoring enriches the adult volunteers as well as the youth, strengthening the fabric of the larger community in the process.

Deep Root Center's Board of Directors has made a commitment to accept any youth regardless of income level and ability to pay. This is an especially profound pledge, here in St. Lawrence County, during these economically challenging times. To that end, we have created a fund so youth who long to say “yes” to a lifetime of learning are not thwarted by financial circumstances. During our critical start-up phase, this fund is even more necessary as we pay the modest costs for rent, insurance, and utilities.

Please consider a donation to Deep Root Center for Self-Directed Learning. You can also join others who make a recurring monthly donation through PayPal. Your generous support will make possible our work with youth who yearn to learn in a setting free of obstruction and full of cooperation.

In deep gratitude,



Maria Corse
Executive Director-Deep Root Center for Self-Directed Learning

P. S. If you know of someone who would be interested in supporting our work, please pass this on. Thank you.

You can use PayPal by clicking the donate button on our website or checks can be made payable to: Deep Root Center and mailed to: Deep Root Center, PO Box 424, Canton, NY 13617

Deep Root Center (Whole Learners, Inc.) is a registered NYS Not-for-Profit, and a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization.

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