So after a few exposures to basic infographics, we studied three very different infographics side by side. This makes them particularly good for helping students to swim deeply. Every decision, including font, shapes, color scheme, and use of white space, will either contribute to or detract from the overall clarity of the message in the finished infographic. The key to creating infographics is understanding that the finished product looks deceptively simple. It was like asking them to read Animal Farm after completing Great Expectations - there was an immediate “can do” reaction. The first thing students noticed was the substantial time savings in reading an infographic or two versus a traditional article.

I occasionally substituted an infographic or two instead of the news articles or essays they were accustomed to reading. I knew that this year I wanted to have students experiment in creating their own infographics, so I made an early decision to build infographics into our Article of the Week routine (inspired by Kelly Gallagher). I have always encouraged my student writers to 'swim deeply' when they read and write, moving beyond the basics, braving the imposing waters at the 'deep end of the pool.' Reading and writing infographics is like cannonballing into ten feet of water - you splash in deeper and more quickly. “Together with our partners, we are making a meaningful difference, and we look forward to building on our gains to make sure kids and families have what they need to thrive.As texts compete for attention with soundbites, scrolling headlines, tweets, and vines, writers and readers alike are seeing the value of text that uses visual design features to organize ideas, provide background, and emphasize key facts in ways that make it easier for readers to engage a topic thoughtfully. “Everything we’ve been able to achieve is rooted in the powerful partnerships that we’ve forged across the nation in pursuit of better results for kids,” says Casey President and CEO Patrick McCarthy.

The Foundation also invested $ 90 million of its endowment in housing, community and economic development and increased access to capital for entrepreneurs of color and innovation in human services technology.ĭriving all of its work is Casey’s mission to build brighter futures for millions of children by strengthening families, building stronger communities and ensuring access to opportunity. Overall in 2017, Casey provided $ 135 million in grants, technical assistance and consulting. These policy changes resulted in more than $ 45 billion in new state funding for children and families. KIDS COUNT grantees in every state provided data and advocacy that led to 828 policy wins for children on issues such as child welfare, education and health care.Baltimore’s summer jobs program, part of Casey’s work to transform disinvested neighborhoods, placed 8, 300 young adults in jobs earning at or above the Maryland minimum wage.Learn and Earn to Achieve Potential connected nearly 1, 200 young people to employment, education and skills training through partnerships in eight states.The Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative ’s Opportunity Passport provided support to help 3, 356 young people transitioning from foster care pay for education, housing and cars.2017 Making a Difference offers selected data points under the Foundation’s four strategy areas: family, opportunity, community and strategies for scale. Communities involved with Casey Foundation initiatives in 2017 received support to help children transition from foster care, reduce reliance on juvenile detention, assist parents in becoming more financially stable, expand programs and policies that produce proven results for kids and families and return tax-refunded dollars to neighborhoods.Ī new infographic offers a glimpse into some of these accomplishments from the Foundation’s 2017 investments.

Foundation education infographic