Kelli Knight, Founder of the LifeSkills Education Centers is definitely one who I describe as a pioneer. Her presence in the lives of whom she meets is infectious. Her passion for helping Youth and those who mentor them is that of a train the trainer style. Ms. Knight is strong, passionate and committed to her national work through her Literacy for Life campaigns where she grants books and educational materials to worthy organizations that serve youth yet are under funded.

Ms. Knight is an active parent, current AmeriCorp, a former Dispatcher for the Disaster Assistance Team with the American Red Cross. As a young girl Ms. Knight even collected donations door to door for UNICEF. It is very clear that Ms. Kelli Knight has a passion for helping others. The near tragic challenges that faced Ms. Knight in her own childhood has driven her to a lifetime of community service.

When challenges face other people, they call Ms. Kelli Knight for positive guidance. Ms. Knight has a philosophy that you can be a better you. Despite the health challenges in Ms. Knight’s life, she never stops comforting and encouraging the lives of others. Complex challenges such as how to fund education projects drive Ms. Knight to seek funding from private donors for others who also understand the power of literacy.

Current initiatives include Scholarship Sponsor for the Baltimore Fashion Week's Emerging Designer Competition, Active Judge for the Business Division of the Baltimore County Act-So Competition, Tournament of Stars Pro-Am Basketball Organization in Lake Charles, LA, Program Coordinator for the North Carolina Flight in Greensboro, NC, Youth Basketball Association, Book Sponsor for Positive American Youth in Atlanta, GA, Book Sponsor for 10 Baltimore Maryland Schools and several other nationwide programs.

Ms. Kelli Knight’s National Community Service is documented in the hearts of all those whom she has assisted and they too will share in the fact that the community work that Ms. Knight has achieved in this Nation through the use of volunteers is simply amazing.

It brings me great pleasure to recommend the program: The LifeSkills Education Center, Inc. at Friendship Academy for the Margaret McNamara Pastor Award. This program, which is housed in the school it serves, has made such an impact on the immediate community, that they are beginning to finally be recognized on the map. Unfortunately, just last year the school and its’ surrounding radius had to be given its’ own zip code. This is because the children in this neighborhood were not recognized by an ailing city’s government. They have unfortunately fought for the equal educational rights of its’ children for years. Allow me to mention [just] a few of the accomplishments The Halstead Academy has achieved. After the grand opening of the Carson Scholars Reading Room, a generous book donation from Ms. Knight and receiving its’ first set of books through RIF’s Books for Ownership Program through the Lifeskills Education Center, was happy to report that the reading levels for grades 3- 5 dramatically improved for the 2011-2012 school year. The principal of the school wrote a letter that reported these results to the account coordinator (Ms. Knight) of the RIF program, sending her into tears because she knows the impact that the books are making on the children and their lives. The LifeSkills program conducts group therapy sessions throughout the day as well as prepare students for college with workshops that outline the importance of obtaining post-secondary education, the application process and how to research colleges specific to their desire(s). Also, a group of boys in several local MD schools, after becoming increasingly excited about reading, developed an all boys reading club. As a result, the boys have stepped up their reading interests as well as their reading grades. Ms. Knight's work currently is active in and extends to North Carolina and Georgia. RIF is surely proud to be a part of such an outstanding accolade. Because of this schools’ unique accomplishments, outstanding performance and most importantly, their impact in a struggling neighborhood, it is strongly recommended that they become the 2012 recipients of the Margaret McNamara Pastor award. The letter the principal of the school wrote regarding the accomplishments of the students in the program will follow shortly. It should definitely be read, as it is certainly a tear jerker. On behalf of the Programs Department at RIF, I would like to thank you Mrs. McNamara Pastor, in advance, for your consideration of this program as a recipient of your prestigious award.

Derek Byrams-Riche Program Representative, Unit I Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. (www.rif.org) 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20037 Direct: 202-536-3494 Fax: 202-536-3519 Toll Free: 1-877-RIF-READ Email: dbyrams-riche@rif.org

Final Assessment ..... Our Youth

by Kelli Knight on Saturday, December 19, 2009 at 1:53pm

Final assessment for today... The topic: Our Youth....... As we end this year, let us recognize our youth who are holding it down, held it down, and were patient with the actions of adults this year financially, emotionally, and time wise as we had much transition this year... Lets face it we are a busy generation and our youth support us.....

Let us support them by not placing them in a box as if the whole generation of youth are not doing what they need to do....

Today’s youth are stronger than ever and they support one another in the absence of adults... They are our future and will continue to make us proud... Henceforth and furthermore, we should make them proud of us as adults in their lifetime.. Don't they deserve that?

To the youth:

I really love you and support you... I see what you are up against and facing daily.... Continue to believe and have faith because this is your time and you have no time to worry about the hand in life that you were dealt. Take that hand and play it out for the win... Your generation is highly intelligent naturally and have an awesome history of triumph and growth. Now take all of that and create your own line of legacy. ...... We are routing for you all from the sidelines.

The fact that you might not see us or have not met us does not mean that we are not out there fighting on your behalf daily.

As Parents:

We must remind all youth to take their KEYS (Knowledge - Education - Yearning - for - Success) with them each time they walk out the door so that they can open doors as they move forward in life.......just in case no one familiar is around to let them back in....

Paying homage to everyone for their active outstanding service and commitment to youth.If you know in your heart that you are playing a positive action role in the lives of youth. Then I welcome you write something about your work.

Kindly Submitted to all .... Kelli Knight