$60K in 60 Days

Over the next 60 days, we invite you, our generous supporters, to donate to the $60K in 60 Days campaign, which is in support of The Earl Silbert Impact Fund. 

Mr. Earl J. Silbert, who is perhaps best known for his role as the first prosecutor during the Watergate scandal, has been a fixture in the Washington, DC community. Hailed as "One of the most revered lawyers" in the District of Columbia, Mr. Silbert has had an exceptional legal career that includes 20 years in government in the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney's Office, as well as serving as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. Each $1,000 of the $60,000 goal represents a year of Mr. Silbert's 60 years of service to others in need.

Of those 60 years, Mr. Silbert has spent 20 years with The Fishing School (TFS). Mr. SiIbert's relationship with TFS began when he met TFS founder Mr. Tom Lewis at a servant leadership course in the 1980s. When Mr. Lewis opened TFS' first location on Wiley Street in Northeast DC, he invited Mr. Silbert to tour the building. During that meeting, their friendship was strengthened and Mr. Lewis asked Mr. Silbert to be a member of TFS' board of directors. Since then, Mr. Silbert has also been a Board Vice Chair and was instrumental in growing TFS into the premiere afterschool and parent-engagement program that it is today.

All proceeds from the $60,000 will go directly toward TFS programs that provide over 400 children and their families with much-needed academic support, life-skills enrichment, and parent engagement. When you witness the positive impact of TFS’ programming on the lives of our students-- more than 95% of whom live in poverty-- there is no doubt that the work we do is vital to DC. 

Many of TFS' students lack access to academic resources necessary for closing the achievement gap. With math and reading performance scores in DC remaining among the lowest in the country, TFS developed an award-winning program model that has helped 85% of students improve on their math scores and 75% of students improve their reading grades. In addition, TFS offers numerous life-changing experiences and lessons that prepare students for successful futures. Some of those activities include our recent live reading with Mr. Silbert and our college and career explorations trip to the Wyndham Destinations Resort at National Harbor.    

Mr. Silbert reading to students during a Read Aloud at Bishop Walker School for Boys

Students and staff during their visit to the Wyndham Destinations Resort at National Harbor

Donations help ensure TFS’ ability to continue supporting our students' academic and life goals at no cost to their families for years to come. Show your support of TFS and Mr. Silbert's mission to give even more children the opportunity to achieve academic success and effectively break the cycle of poverty by making a tax-deductible gift today.

For more information about $60K in 60 Days, please visit us online or contact Gozi Egbuonu, Development and Communications Manager at negbuonu@fishingschool.org or by phone at (202) 399-3618 ext. 5.