A Spotlight on Start Lighthouse: How TD Bank Helps Us Shine
Over the past two years, TD Bank has been an invaluable corporate partner to our organization. Through the TD Charitable Foundation’s financial support, Start Lighthouse has expanded our reach, strengthened our Literacy Hub model, and placed culturally relevant books into the hands of even more children.
“Picking out my books made me feel special–like my stories and dreams matter. Now, I have books at home that look like me and my family. Every night, I read with my little sister, and we imagine all the places we can go through stories,” said Pamela, 5th grader at P.S./M.S. 5.
TD Bank’s involvement has extended far beyond financial support–it’s fueled by people, passion, and meaningful engagement. Most recently, at the end of January, a team of TD Bank employees visited our Literacy Hub at P.S./M.S. 5. The TD employees spent time with our students, leading small-group reading exercises and, most importantly, filling our Literacy Hub with enthusiasm and joy. The TD team has also led financial literacy workshops for our older students.
“TD Bank’s support has profoundly impacted Start Lighthouse. I see their impact in the smiles of sheer joy on students’ faces every time their team comes to volunteer at one of our partner schools. I see it in the added teaching resources and brand-new books lining the shelves of our Literacy Hubs. This partnership has enriched our current programs and strengthened our organization's infrastructure, allowing us to reach more students in ways we once only dreamed were possible,” said Rina Madhani, Executive Director of Start Lighthouse.
Lastly, TD Bank has worked tirelessly to amplify Start Lighthouse’s visibility, leading to national recognition, including our recent ABC spotlight. Thanks to TD Bank, our organization welcomed ABC to our Literacy Hub at P.S./M.S. 5. The ABC team sat down with students, school faculty, and our staff to highlight how Start Lighthouse has fostered a vibrant literacy culture in schools across the Bronx, inspiring the next generation of lifelong readers. Not only does this recognition showcase Start Lighthouse’s profound impact, but it also underscores TD Bank’s unwavering support for and dedication to our mission.
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TD Bank’s involvement highlights the power of corporate partnerships in driving meaningful social change. However, the need is still great. Over 55% of schools in the South Bronx still don’t have libraries, and there are over 50 schools on the waitlist for a Start Lighthouse Literacy Hub.
Together, we can rewrite this story. Join Start Lighthouse and take action today! There are countless ways for you to engage in our mission–whether it is through charitable giving, volunteering, or learning more about our Literacy Hubs. With your support, we can help ensure that every student has the access and opportunity to become a confident, lifelong reader.
