E. Norriton, Pa., November 16, 2009 - The Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia (ADAGP), is continuing its support of EconomicsPennsylvania through an $11,500 grant to its Strive to Drive program. This student activity, used in the classrooms of many southeastern Pennsylvania middle and high schools, introduces teens to the resources needed to buy and maintain a car along with other life skills.
Strive to Drive is a fun, fast-paced reality Discovery Map activity that allows students to specifically learn about researching prices, negotiating, finding and keeping a job, taking out loans, securing insurance, making decisions about deductibles, planning for car maintenance, safe driving habits and much more.
The program takes place around a table-sized visual that includes a set of cards to direct students through a series of questions and decisions. It is an experiential, accelerated and high involvement learning experience that creates an atmosphere of productive play while using the energy of small student teams working and learning together.
"The hands-on teaching method used in Strive to Drive is what continues to attract us to this program,” said Kevin Mazzucola, executive director of the Foundation and ADAGP. “Students are learning invaluable life skills through this activity and in today’s economy; we feel those lessons have never been more important.”
To date, the Foundation has donated $82,500 to Strive to Drive, helping approximately 220 teachers and 20,000 students receive access to the activity. This donation also involved assistance from the Pennsylvania Automotive Association Foundation (PAAF). PAAF is a community foundation, established in 2002, whose primary mission is to support and promote the charitable activities of the franchised automobile and medium and heavy duty truck dealers throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.