Launched in the 2008-2009 Rotary year by President Don Barney and Community Service Chair Stan Swan, Pearl Rotarians answered the call to reduce high school drop-outs in Portland schools. The link was made to Open Meadow, with its non-traditional high school program and its aim at middle school students and those making the transition from eighth to ninth grade. Volunteer hours in the first year include painting a shed, grounds clean-up and meeting with students in classrooms. Barney himself spent a week at the Step Up camp last August with students making the oft-times difficult transition form eighth to ninth grade.

The club's commitment to Open Meadow is a key goal of the annual Bet on the Pearl fundraiser, this past event held in November in the U.S. Treasury Ballroom. A successful casino night resulted in $4,000 being allocated for Open Meadow. Swan presented the check to Open Meadow Executive Director Andrew Mason at the Jan. 12 regular club meeting.

In accepting the donation and while thanking Rotarians, Mason reported that 98% of the 350 students served by OM's transitional programs stayed in school last year. In five of the six schools Open Meadow served, according to Mason, the students had higher GPAs than their peers. "These students are doing very well," he said.

In a follow-up letter, Mason wrote: "Thank you again for your generous donation. Together as a community we can ensure the success of our youth."

In December, a new phase of PPRC's service began: Eight Rotarians are now tutors to ninth-graders at Madison High School. No less than two Rotarians contribute time to the after-school program each week. All joined Swan at the front of the Ecotrust conference room when the contribution was made.

Also participating were key OM contacts Michele Taylor and Sierra Hill. Hill, as coordinator at Madison, has linked Rotary tutors with students. "The only thing that can help them catch up is more time," she said, praising the volunteers. "Relationships are key."

Hill closed: "This is a wonderful organization and we love to partner with you."