Shirley Case School Project

Happy Family Day to all of our SchoolBOX friends, family, students and the volunteers SchoolBOX has hosted over the years. xoxoHappy Family Day to all of our SchoolBOX friends, family, students and the volunteers SchoolBOX has hosted over the years. xoxo

If you've been thinking about.... just do it!

A follow-up to my note about sponsoring books... Sarah Kerr just shared photos of the books I sponsored on behalf of Shirley and Alec. These books now live in Phase 1 of the youth library in Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation. The 2 books are by Cherie Dimaline - The Marrow Thieves and her new Empire of Wild. There’s also a photo of Bernice (Band Councillor) who was SO excited to have Marrow Thieves in the new library. Please consider supporting this wonderful cause. Making education possible both in Nicaragua AND in Canada.

I just made a donation for a book in memory of both Shirley and her Dad, Alec. Great initiative to help make education possible in Canada as well as Nicaragua. Hoping you have somebody in your lives who you want to honour or celebrate - this is a great way to do it! Cheers ~ Jessica

An update on the Shirley Case Schools

Last chance to join us in Nicaragua July 25 to August 3rd this year! Are you in need of a last minute vacation with a purpose? Build a school, empower a communi...ty and return to the real world with a smile on your face. For more info, go to www.schoolbox.ca/volunteer or email [email protected]

Our 2018 SchoolBOX Annual Report is fresh off the presses! Last year was the most difficult period for SchoolBOX because of the socio-political crisis in Nicara...gua. YOU are the reason that we got through 2018, and are in a position to have a full slate of programming this year. Check out our report at www.schoolbox.ca/report2018 Sarah Kerr, Tom Affleck, Amber Hall, Dina Bell-Laroche, Jennette Affleck, Nat Alie, Parker Armstrong, Peter Donnelly, Brad Weir, Leah Thomas, Paul Haliburton, Jennifer James, Sarah Dale-Harris, Ronald Chavarria, Jazmin Lopez Arauz, Jon Tam, Hector Danilo Ortiz Lopez, David Pavón, Mario Enrique Moran, Gar Albert, Aracely Guevara, Kimothy Walker, Eric Collard, Marianne Graham, Matt Smart, Jessica Chaikowsky, Ekim Tam, Jim David

Don't forget to bid, folks! Lots of stuff and cool experiences in the Toronto-based auction. (only on for a few more days and get this, bids matched so you double your impact). This prize in particular needs way more bids (my bestie's restaurant with the best pizza and pasta)!!!! www.schoolbox.ca/auction

I've already started my bidding!!! Lots of great sports tickets, wine-themed gifts (yup, I plan to win at least one of these....), gift certifications, beauty stuff and more. All proceeds up to $20K will be matched so bid generously.

An update on Shirley's Schools

Shirley Case School #1 (Monte Olivo)

Any of our Toronto network have ideas for online auction items? Let's keep Shirley's legacy of education and support going...

Hey folks. Lots of really ugly stuff happening in Nicaragua. But of course, SchoolBOX continues to shine its light despite the barriers. If you have anything to spare this month, please help fund the operating budget so the team in Nica can get through this difficult time.

Hoping some of you can join us! Many of Shirley's SuperNinja's will be there... A chance to reconnect and celebrate the successes and work of this incredible organization.

Happy Birthday, Shirley! We miss you and thank you for your inspiration. As a gift to the schools your passion helped build, an anonymous donor is matching every dollar donated over the month of October and November up to $1000. Folks, donate here to help with educational kits and library books for our 325+ Shirley Case kids. http://schoolbox.ca/shirleycase/

Can't recommend this experience enough.

Schoolbox continues to do amazing things. And now at home. Awesome work!

Great idea for a fundraiser! Looks like fun....

Way back in 2010, at our "Things I've been Meaning to do" fundraiser, folks 'sponsored' a flower that was painted by some really talented Ontario artists. All of those flowers are still very much in tact over 5 years later. Thanks again to all who have supported our Shirley Case Schools over the years.

We're so proud of all of our 'Shirley Case School' graduates but Robinson holds a special place in our heart. Congratulations!

For those of you who were in Nicaragua with us or remember reading about this young man who was on the job site with us ever day, Robinson just graduated from Grade 6! Such an accomplishment - we're all very proud.

Giving Tuesday is tomorrow!

8 years ago we lost this wonderful, funny, shining light, Shirley Case. We can smile though through some tears knowing that so many kids in Nicaragua are getting second chances, growing, learning and becoming leaders in their communities. Thanks again to all of those who knew and didn't know Shirley who have fundraised, traveled and supported this project and thanks especially to the SchoolBOX team who helped us make this dream a reality. It's a 'carpe diem' kind of a day.

Looking for some graphic designers that might be able to help out SchoolBOX pro-bono. I need help developing inforgraphics, templates and other materials. Creativity and ability to work in InDesign is a must. Please pass on if you know of anyone! Thanks

A great article about the gorgeou mural located in 100 Mile House BC that features Shirley and her amazing work. Shirley's legacy continues to grow in Nicaragua with each student who attends one of her schools. Stay tuned for more plans in 2016.

Just a reminder....it's "Giving Tuesday" today...all day... Every bit helps and who knows, perhaps another Shirley Case classroom will be in the plan for 2016?

We know it's a busy time and a time when the demand for open wallets is high....but if you do have a bit extra, we all know the investment will go a very, very long way to improve the lives of children and their communities. Give on Tuesday, December 1st, and your donation will be matched (specify that it's for supporting our Shirley Case projects). ~ Jessica

The teachers play a very important role in the schools and in Leon, Nicaragua 23 teachers from three different schools attended to a session to learn the manage...ment of the Libraries. They addressed that they felt so encouraged and lifted up by the great help and that the new source of books empowered them to enrich the knowledge of their students. On behalf of SchoolBOX, thank you so much friends for helping us help our Nicaraguan teachers and children. See more

Just a reminder of all of the great work Shirley's community (of friends, family and those who support us all) has been able to accomplish. 8 classrooms, 4 mini-libraries, education supply kits and furniture as well!

Isn't this wonderful?!

You should go!!!! :)

Hey Folks. If you haven't had the chance to see the movie A Good Lie, please do try to check it out (with some tissues). I watched it on a flight as I was flying over the middle east incidentally so already had Shirls on my mind at the time. Seeing this movie and the stories of the children in Sudan and the IDP camps helped me understand even more what our Superninja had seen, experienced and felt in her life and travels. I'm sure there are more of these documentaries marking the path of our friend given all of Shirley's contributions...I felt a powerful pull watching this one,

Some wonderful updates about our school

The winners of this year's Soccer Dreams tournament in the Telica region. Proud of our Monte Olivo kids!!!

Thought for the day... "Why are we inspired by another person’s courage? Maybe because it gives us the sweet and genuine surprise of discovering some trace, at least, of the same courage in ourselves." -- Laurence Shames, Author

Such wonderful and healing news - they're breaking ground on Shirley Case School #3 over the next week. We wish the volunteers an incredible experience and are so excited to see the progress, meet the community virtually and share in the journey from wherever we all are in the world. Thank you, SchoolBOX!

Warm hugs to everyone today. xo

Our annual golf tournament and silent auction for the Shirley Case Schools total for this year is over $5,250.00!!!! Huge thanks to an amazing group of friends and family for all your support. Totally overwhelming.

Here is a note from President, Sarah Kerr with a lovely update on our students in Shirley Case School #2: Jazmin sent me this update from her recent visits and communication to the school. After the construction of the school was complete in 2012, the school was finally able to offer grades 5 and 6 to the children in the community (previously unavailable due to the lack of space / poor conditions). This year (2014) enrollment has increased to 190 students (previously 155) w...hich indicates that most of the children are staying in school through the critical years of 5th and 6th grades. This year there are 21 boys and girls in 5th grade and another 9 in 6th grade. This is an incredible feat considering only two years ago none of those kids would have had the opportunity to complete their primary school in their community, Roger Dishon. Either they would have had to travel far away to the nearest school that offered 5th grade or they would have stopped studying all together. The reports of violence to get to the nearest school were consistent (robbery at knife point was common) and so many parents were not sending their children. (Do you remember seeing those idle teens hanging around the school when we were building? Most of those guys could not even write their own name since they dropped out of school so early). Thanks to you and your team, we are literally 'Making Education Possible' for so many kids in Shirley's spirit - defeating poverty through education and working towards moving the statistic of 50% of children dropping out of primary school in the direction of 100% completion. We are not quite there yet, but it is amazing to see the progress that has been made in less than 2 years!! See more

An easy reference to the new project should you want to share!

A fun update to share - our project priority has shifted recently and we'll be supporting SchoolBOX in building a school in a small but really engaged community near Leon called La Pintora. It was destroyed by the April earthquake so our 3rd Shirley Case school will now be located in this special place. Project details captured in pics posted. Oh, and there are still spaces for volunteers from August 14 to 23!

Soooo excited to share that we are well on our way not only to funding the next Shirley Case project, but also to helping out with education kits for the students learning at our schools. In addition to the $8,500 we raised at Songs for SchoolBOX2, we also have just over $10,000 from the incredible efforts of the Case family and their friends and other generous on-line donations. Let's keep the fundraising going so school supplies won't be a concern for families in Nicaragu...a hoping for a better life for their kids, K? Love lots and lots, Jessica

For those of you in Toronto, May 24th is another great night of cabaret music and awesome silent auction items. Besides, it's an opportunity to hang out with Shirley's TO Superninjas! :) https://songsforschoolbox2.eventbrite.ca

Thank you to the girls who came by last Sunday to swap clothes, shoes and jewels and buy raffle tickets to the tune of $150. That's a good number of education kits for our schools! :) Oh, thanks to @laurie wilson for the idea.

Volunteer opportunities available to help with our upcoming Shirley Case build. August 14-23 and also July 20-29. Email: [email protected] for more information.

Shirley would have loved this! Happy Spring, All!

A compelling business case for increasing opportunities for women globally, especially in education. http://www.catalyst.org/knowledge/ripple-effect-women-world

Check out the new SchoolBOX website! And our new 2014 project is listed, all ready for donations. http://schoolbox.ca/shirleycase/

Look who's all grown up!

Yippeeee! Here is the planned Shirley Case School #3. Another wonderful, deserving community we'll get the good fortune to know. Thanks SchoolBOX for continuing to be an amazing partner.

WE HAVE NEWS!!! Everyone ready for Shirley Case School #3?? Yes, seriously! SchoolBOX has identified an incredible opportunity for us to pitch in once again. The Case family and the Ontario Superninjas are super excited. More details on fundraising and volunteer trip options to come in the next few weeks. Celebrate with us!

Los Salgados - Shirley Case School #3

An inspirational quote to start your week. "Education is the most powerful weapon, which you can use to change the world." ~ Nelson Mandela

Wow - such a fabulous video showing the full SchoolBOX experience in just over 2 minutes. Over the next couple of days, help make this happen again in 2014 for a group of young leaders looking to Make Education Possible in Nicaragua. You can vote every hour until midnight on Wednesday! Vote for Team Nicaragua Bound - http://www.truesportpur.ca/en/givebackchallenge

Happy World Children's Day!

More wonderful photos of some of "our kids" collecting the school supplies your donations helped to provide. $5 for the tools needed for a child to attend school for a semester. The smiles....priceless!

On this day of remembering... xo.

More opportunities to check out progress and visit the communities that have benefited from the Shirley Case libraries. http://www.flickr.com//schoolboxhe/sets/72157636937542956/

Wow - have you all seen the SchoolBOX documentary? For those who pitched in on Shirley's schools, you'll see some familiar landscapes and faces. Please take the 20 minutes to view it and share it. So thrilled and proud of SchoolBOX's accomplishments. http://youtu.be/_sZV1pwR4XI

It's World Humanitarian Day. I think that the world needs more #Superninjas!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch

Shirley's family and friends come together every August to enjoy the summer, reconnect and for the past several years have been raising money for the various Shirley Case projects. This year, thousands were raised at a golf tournament, silent auction, 50/50 and other fun activities.

Check this out!!! Progress report on our latest goals - we have exceeded our targets once again, thanks to all of your support and continued contributions. Not only will we install our 4 mini libraries over the coming months, we provided education kits to all the students in Shirley's two schools and furniture to a new SchoolBOX school. Thank you to the SchoolBOX team for helping us to continue Shirley's legacy. http://www.schoolbox.ca/news.htm#ShirleyCaseProject

Hooray - with everyone's support, SchoolBOX will be building another school to help make education possible in Nicaragua. Thanks to those who voted.

Hey Shirley's Ninjas.... A fun song for inspiration. "I’ve had bad habits but I dropped ‘em, I dropped ‘em, I’ve had opponents but I knocked them out, I climbed the highest mountains,... I swam the coldest seas, There ain’t nothing I’ve faced that’s been to much for me." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGhyL8zg3_I