Coins make change in Simon Youth Foundation students' lives

Simon Youth Foundation wishing wells are marvelous, beautiful things. First off, they are just fun! We love seeing those coins spin round and round, but more importantly, the wishing wells bring in crucial funds for SYF programs, particularly our Simon Youth Academies, which are non-traditional schools that serve students who have dropped out or are at risk of dropping out of their traditional high schools.

In 2010 alone, wishing wells located in Simon malls, outlets and centers raised $500,000. That is enough money to support, through their graduation day, 500 senior-year students in our network of 23 nationwide academies. So you see, those pennies, nickles, dimes, and quarters add up fast, and they ignite hope in so many students who otherwise may not have had an opportunity to pursue their high school diploma.

As you play the video below, remember that every 29 seconds, according to the America's Promise Alliance, a student drops out of school in this country. So in just about the time that it will take you to watch the clip, a student would have dropped out of school, if not for that coin dropping into that wishing well. Thinking about it in this way, maybe the wells are not so much about wishing but about doing...doing something to make graduation day a reality for a student who wants to earn a diploma but needs a little extra help.