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United Way of Essex and West Hudson Hosts Community Screening of WAITING FOR 'SUPERMAN'

NEWARK, N.J., Nov. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Wednesday, November 3, at 6:00 p.m., United Way of Essex and West Hudson (UWEWH) will be kicking off its Education Social Action campaign by hosting its second community screening of WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN" with a panel discussion at Newark Screens. Admission to the screening is free for all members of the community that bring two new or gently used books to be donated to local classroom libraries. Additionally, for every person who attends, a $15 gift card will be provided to help a classroom project in the area via Donors Choose.

WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN" tells the story of Academy Award®-winning director Davis Guggenheim's deeply personal exploration of the current state of public education in the U.S. and its impact on five unforgettable kids whose dreams, hopes and untapped potential reveal all that it is at stake at this critical moment. Fueled by his conscience and electrified by the possibilities for change, Guggenheim's WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN" has sparked a vital national conversation and revealed that the superheroes we've been waiting for to save our schools are all around us--they are me and you.

UWEWH believes that the film - and community conversations and engagement around it - will increase the frequency of dialogue and help create tangible action to support America's students, teachers and schools. United Ways nationwide are serving as Social Action Partners and inclusive conveners to help catalyze a nationwide movement for education by bringing together multiple points of view to explore solutions to our education crisis. The movie's tone of urgency frames the opportunity for individuals, institutions and organizations to give, advocate and volunteer to help improve educational outcomes for all students.

Specifically, in the Greater Newark Area, UWEWH has been designated as the Local Campaign Manager for Participant Media's Social Action campaign. The Social Action Campaign themes include: Celebrate Great Teachers, Ensure World-Class Standards, Ensure Great Schools and Raise Literacy Rates. The campaign is complemented by a robust website that can be accessed at www.uwewh.org/education/superman that provides targeted resources and engagement opportunities those wanting to get involved.

"Our ten year goal in education is to cut in half the dropout rate and ensure that at minimum 87% of our youth are graduating from high school ready to succeed in college, work and life," said Keith Green, President and CEO of UWEWH.

"This film is an excellent catalyst to for us to help focus community aspirations and take actionable steps to ensure that all of our students have the opportunity to succeed," Green said. "United Way has a history of working in education though our previous Success By Six initiative for early childhood education and is continuing its commitment in 2010 --with the help of our community partners-- though its After School Collaborative with PSEG and Education Policy Advisory Council," added Green.

Green is particularly excited by United Way's education challenge to the community for November: "We are also asking all members of our community to step up to help us reach our goal of $110,000 by December 1st, which will fund 152 classroom projects in Essex and Hudson Counties through Donors Choose. This is a modest goal that will have a tremendous, direct impact on our schools."

At the community screenings, UWEWH will announce the progress toward the education community challenge and host panel and audience conversations. The panel will be moderated by Dr. Ross Danis, Associate Dean of Education, Drew University. Panelists currently include:

    --  Shavar Jefferies, Newark Schools Advisory Board Chair
    --  Ron Lee, Superintendent of Schools, Orange Township
    --  Tia Morris, TEAM Schools
    --  Chris Perpich, Co-Founder, BRICK Academy
    --  Jarrad Toussant, Executive Director, Citizen Schools-New Jersey
    --  Alan Sadovnik, Rutgers-Newark Institute on Education Law and Policy

Following the Newark screenings of WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN," UWEWH will continue to work to engage the Essex and Western Hudson communities in conversations and actions to reach our 10 year education goal. These local efforts will complement the national WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN" Social Action Campaign.

WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN" is open to the public in Northern New Jersey in Newark at Newark Screens, Montclair at Clearview's Clairidge Cinemas, South Orange at SOPAC and in Elizabeth at Jersey Gardens.

For more information about United Way of Essex and West Hudson's work education please visit www.uwewh.org.

SOURCE United Way of Essex and West Hudson