www.changeforkids.org

**Overview: ** The website __[|www.changeforkids.org] __ is for a non-profit organization based out of New York City. This group collaborates with four underprivileged New York City Public Schools and the local arts world to help develop literacy, arts, and music programs for schools. The schools that are assisted through this program are P.S. 243 in Brooklyn, P.S. 73 in the Bronx, P.S. 154 in Harlem, and P.S. 160 in Queens. These underserved schools are not only provided with materials to use in their classrooms, they are also provided with human resources that are utilized to bring literature and the arts to life in the students’ natural surroundings. By working with administration and school staff, needs for each individual school are able to be recognized. **Authority: ** No single person is listed as the website developer. However, contributions to the website content are provided by school personnel and partners of the Change for Kids program. Information about how to contact the organization is listed. A telephone number, snail mail address, and links for email addresses are included. The primary contact for the organization is Michael Quinzio. Brief biographies including credentials are listed for each operational team member, board member, and junior council member. **Accuracy: ** The statistical information provided in this website outlines the number of students that are being supported by various literature, arts, and music programs. This information also details how much time students were spending on these programs before Change for Kids became involved in the school’s educational programs. Compared to other sites with similar topics, the main focus is to bring about a positive change in children’s lives. This positive change typically deals with their education or their health. The information given is easy to read, and follows the basic tenets of grammar, spelling, and composition. **Objectivity: ** The information on the website, in my opinion, is used to persuade others to join the cause to bring needed supplies, literacy, the arts, and music to underprivileged students. Many videos and news related articles are placed throughout the site to show how they have helped the schools and their students grow. Accompanying each video is a flashing reminder to “click here” in order to volunteer your time or to give money/resources. The site is selling the idea that this platform is a quick and easy way to give to children whose schools are in great need. The opening page depicts a classroom teacher who is only given $12.43 per student to supply her classroom with their basic needs for the entire school year. **Coverage: ** This site does not claim to be comprehensive. It does however; introduce the reader to each school involved in the given project. You are able to click on various links to see how resources are used in a particular school. Through these links, you see community leaders and other volunteers who are working along with the school personnel to provide an otherwise unobtainable source for their students. The information provided on the site is based on the objectives of the non-profit organization. You can also follow the success of Change for Kids via twitter, facebook, vimeo, and flickr. These links have up-to-date videos and pictures of recent events and classes. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Currency: ** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Information about when the site was created is not listed. Nor is there information about how often the site is updated. If you follow the given blog, you will find that the information there is current. The last update to the blog was May 19<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: super;">th. Even though no other specific dates are given, through reading the various news articles, one can determine that the information is current. Other links included on this site are for each school’s “story.” Most information that follows the schools is based on the late 1990’s through 2004. More up-to-date information can be found on the blog. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Design/Navigability: ** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This website is truly eye-catching. The site makes very good use of utilizing pictures that tell a story. The story that is being told reflects how someone’s volunteer hours or in-kind donations can help bring literacy, the arts, and music to the classroom. The use of video clips that includes interviews of administration, staff, and teachers also help to paint the picture that this group is obtaining their agreed upon goal. This site is easily navigated. The reader is not overburdened with irrelevant information. You are only a click away from learning more about programs that interest you. You do not have to utilize your time “wandering around” until you find just what you are looking for. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Recommendation: ** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I do recommend this site for people who are seeking an opportunity to help children who are in need of an enriched education. I would also suggest that people, in the New York City area, who are interested in utilizing their artistic talents to help today’s youth visit this site as well. Finally, it is my belief, that the information given in this site can help others throughout the United States develop similar programs in their area.