The Jason Taylor Reading Room, presented by Steven Douglas Associates in Miramar, Fla., now enters its seventh year mentoring middle school and high school students to address academic challenges among inner-city youth, particularly in the areas of literacy. Last year proved to be record-setting under the direction of Educational Director, Kevin Sawyer, and the incredible Reading Room staff, with the students' performance and attendance rates. 88% of students exhibited at least one year of academic gain and 97% were promoted to the next grade level for the 2013-2014 school year.

The Reading Room is off to a great start again this year with more than 60 children already enrolled in the program. For the first time ever, there will be four special programs offered on Fridays for deserving students who have excelled in the classroom. The Omari Hardwick bluapple Poetry Corner will be back in full swing for the entire school year as students will focus on literacy, prevention issues and social awareness as vehicles for self-expression, both written and through performance.

The Reading Room will once again partner with the Scratch DJ Academy for a six-week "Elements of Hip Hop" class, consisting of interactive workshops designed to engage, inspire and educate our youth using a variety of components identifiable with the culture of Hip Hop, including dance, music DJing, etc. Another returning partner will be FLIPANY (Florida Introduces Physical Activity and Nutrition to Youth) and the Cooking Matters curriculum for a six-week experience, teaching the children how they can shop for and prepare healthy, affordable and delicious meals. Lastly, the JTF will offer the SUN (Solutions Unlimited Now) program, a ten-week course on developing problem solving, coping and social skills, in order to help reduce impulsivity and self-destructive behaviors and enhance feelings of self-worth and empowerment.

As an added incentive to students performing and behaving at an exemplary level, the Jason Taylor Foundation has continued its partnership with the Miami Dolphins "All Community Team" to host a group of Reading Room students to attend each of the Dolphins home games at Sun Life Stadium, just a stones throw away from the Miramar Youth Enrichment Center, for the 2013 NFL football season.

OMARI HARDWICK BLUAPPLE POETRY NETWORK

IS BACK IN SESSION!

Now entering its second year, the Omari Hardwick bluapple Poetry Network, a multi-faceted, after-school spoken word poetry program, will serve students actively attending nearly 40 Broward County public high schools, middle schools and select elementary schools. This collaboration between the Jason Taylor Foundation, the School Board of Broward County's Diversity, Cultural Outreach and Prevention Department as well as actor and accomplished poet, Omari Hardwick, provides an environment for students to focus on literacy, prevention issues and social awareness as vehicles for self expression. The Network is moderated by newly appointed Director, Darius Daughtry.

The Network kicked off with a full-day teacher orientation at Northeast High School, where teachers from across the District came together to learn about what lies ahead for bluapple Poetry in the 2013-2014 school year, collaborate with one another and hear from a number of bluapple poets attending Northeast High School. Flying in from Los Angeles the night before, Omari surprised everyone in the morning and proceeded to participate the entire day, inspiring the group, sitting in on breakout sessions and actively engaging in group discussions.

Also stopping by during the day was Dr. Desmond Blackburn, Chief School Performance & Accountability Officer at Broward County Schools, Dr. Teri Williams of the Dept. of Diversity, Cultural Outreach and Prevention, Jon Lieberman of UPS to discuss their organization's support of bluapple and the team from PDQ Oakland Park who generously provided lunch for all in attendance.

The following day, the bluapple Poetry Network announced the launch of the "bluapple beginnings" book project, a unique collaboration between the bluapple poets, South Florida artists and Redline Media Group to creatively tell the story of the Network and leave a lasting legacy on this community. Each artist will be paired with one of the original poets in the bluapple poetry program. The artist will create a masterpiece influenced by the words of the bluapple poet, bringing the story to life in a marriage of poetry and art. To make things even more exciting, renowned Miami artist, David "LEBO" LeBatard, has generously offered to host the book's unveiling at an event at his LEBO Showroom at the Gibson Space, to raise funds for the future of the bluapple Poetry program.

The Omari Hardwick bluapple Poetry Network is now on Twitter!

Keep up with everything bluapple on: @bluapplepoetry

THE JIM MORAN FOUNDATION AWARDS GRANT FOR

JASON TAYLOR READING ROOM

In the words of Jim Moran, Founder of The Jim Moran Foundation, "The future belongs to those who prepare for it." The Jason Taylor Foundation shares in this belief, and as we continue our mission to build a better future for the children of South Florida, we are extremely thankful for the generosity and support of amazing organizations like The Jim Moran Foundation.

The Jim Moran Foundation recently awarded the Jason Taylor Foundation with a $46,200 grant to support the Jason Taylor Reading Room in Miramar, assisting in the JTF's goals of addressing academic challenges among inner-city youth, particularly in the areas of literacy.

Now in its seventh year, the Reading Room has opened its doors to hundreds of South Florida middle school and high school students. This program's growth would not be possible without the support of The Jim Moran Foundation, whose generosity has helped deserving children excel in the classroom today and prepare them with the tools for success for years to come!

JASON TAYLOR FOUNDATION TEAMS UP WITH UPS

"What can Brown do for you?" The Jason Taylor Foundation is honored to be a charity of choice for UPS in South Florida, through the United Way of Broward County! Just last month, Jason Taylor visited the Deerfield Beach headquarters, along with bluapple poets Hailey and Peter, to speak to the UPS team. Jon Lieberman, UPS Deerfield Manager, rounded up his management team as well as nearly 100 drivers and they kicked off their day with the Jason Taylor Foundation. Jason gave the group some insight into the Foundation, thanking them for their consideration and handed off the microphone to Hailey & Peter, who wowed the crowd with their inspirational poetry.

The funds donated from UPS as a result of contributions made by generous employees of the iconic global package delivery company will assist the Foundation in providing stipends to teachers in the Network. Many of the individuals at UPS have close ties to the participating schools in the bluapple Poetry Network across the Broward County School District, so their fundraising efforts will directly impact the children right here at home in their local community.

Lieberman's team at UPS hasn't wasted any time, as they held their first fundraiser benefiting the Jason Taylor Foundation on Wednesday, September 18 at Dapur Asian Tapas & Lounge in Fort Lauderdale. With nearly 100 UPS sales team members, customers and guests in attendance, all proceeds raised from the event will be donated to the Jason Taylor Foundation. The bluapple poets made a special appearance as well, inspiring everyone with their talents and original poetry. Thank you, UPS!

KATINA & ZOE TAYLOR WALK FOR THE JTF

IN MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK

The Jason Taylor Foundation's mother-daughter duo had the experience of a lifetime at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City earlier this month as they participated in their first Runway Show! The "Taylor girls" walked in the 3rd Annual Strut The Fashionable Moms Show, presented by The Moms & SWW Creative, in support of the Jason Taylor Foundation!

Amber Sabathia (CC Sabathia of the New York Yankees), Alexis Stoudemire (Amare Stoudemire of the New York Knicks) and Laura Posada (Jorge Posada of the New York Yankees) were among some of the other celebrity moms who also strutted their stuff! Alongside many other inspirational Moms and their children, they used the runway to help raise awareness for more than 40 charitable causes.

JTF PROVIDES KIDS WITH

"COOL GEAR FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR"

With the 2013-2014 school year in session, Miami Dolphins legend Jason Taylor and the Jason Taylor Foundation hosted the Ninth Annual Cool Gear for the School Year program on September 2, for nearly 60 underserved South Florida children at Old Navy in Davie, Fla. Each child was given a $300 gift card to shop the entire store, assisted by a local celebrity, with the intent to help build each child's self-esteem and eliminate an unnecessary distraction, allowing each child to focus on their studies and not their attire while at school. Since launching the "Cool Gear for the School Year" program in 2005, the Jason Taylor Foundation has provided nearly $170,000 in clothing to more than 550 deserving children.

"Cool Gear is one of my favorite programs of the year and it is pretty easy to see why," expressed Jason Taylor. "Old Navy is an amazing partner, our donors are incredibly gracious and we had outstanding support from some of South Florida's biggest names. Most importantly, 60 kids received new clothes that we hope will help them continue to build their self-esteem and improve their performance in school. They certainly looked great in their new gear and their smiles made it all worth while."

Children from the His House Children's Home, Overtown Youth Center and the Urban Leagues of Broward & Greater Miami were welcomed into the store by the energetic Old Navy staff and were treated to a back-to-school party hosted by Old Navy, complete with delicious food donated by Chick-Fil-A, a live DJ, courtesy of Power Parties and celebrity emcee, Ivy from Power 96. T.D., the Miami Dolphins mascot, also made a special appearance for the kids.

Following the party, it was time to shop! The kids were overjoyed with the opportunity to meet big names from the entertainment industry including Rick Ross, a returning Cool Gear shopper, as well as Jake Miller and J. Peguero. The Miami Dolphins showed their continued support with current players, Mike Pouncey, Koa Misi, Brandon Fields, John Denney, Caleb Sturgis, and Lauren Tannehill, wife of Miami Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill; former Miami Dolphins greats as well as a host of Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders. The guest list continues as the NBA World Champions Miami HEAT were well represented with Shane Battier and Strength & Conditioning Coach Bill Foran, making their first Cool Gear appearances as well as a group of Miami HEAT dancers. Drew Shore of the Florida Panthers also came out to shop, in addition to many television and radio personalities.

With special thanks to Old Navy, all shoppers were notified of the store's 30% off Labor Day sale on all items across the store, increasing each kid's budget to more than $420! The Jason Taylor Foundation also provided each child with a new backpack, equipped with school supplies for the entire school year ahead, compliments of Community Back to School Bash. The Jason Taylor Foundation looks forward to partnering with Old Navy again next year and celebrate its 10th Anniversary Cool Gear for the School Year program, a decade of an amazing partnership!

KATINA TAYLOR HOSTS

BACK TO SCHOOL BEST & CAMP KATINA

What better way to end the summer and kick off a new school year than with Katina Taylor and the Jason Taylor Foundation! Katina hosted two back-to-school events this August, starting with her Third Annual Back to School Best and immediately following was her Seventh Annual Camp Katina - Cartwheels to Character, where she impacted more than 100 children in South Florida.

On Wednesday, August 14, Katina and the JTF partnered with AVEDA Institute South Florida for the 3rd Annual "Back to School Best." This program serves to provide free "Back to School" haircuts and manicures to more than 50 children with hopes of enhancing the children's self-esteem and positively influencing their work in the classroom, as they prepare for this upcoming school year.

"We want these children to perform their best for the school year. Education is most important and if I can talk to each child and plant a seed to encourage them and make them feel and look beautiful, I will do whatever it takes. When these children look in the mirror, we want them to feel their absolute best," Katina said.

Fun beats spun throughout the evening by Michael Marino (DJ 1Tre), son of Miami Dolphins Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino. The Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders were also in attendance to meet and mingle with the children as their new looks were completed. An array of tasty food from Liguori's Fired Up Restaurant was also served to all children and their families.

Later that same week, Katina hosted Camp Katina - Cartwheels to Character at the West Broward Gymnastics Academy in Davie, Fla., where 55 underserved girls, ages 7-12, experienced this three-day gymnastics, cheer, dance and life skills camp free of charge. Campers participated in various gymnastics rotations, including bars, beam, foam pit, vault, floor and trampoline, always a camper favorite!

Throughout the camp, Katina welcomed a host of influential women in the South Florida community to speak to the girls about various topics to help educate and empower them, including Strong Women, Strong Girls, Rebecca Zerbo of Positive Pocket, Baptist Health South Florida and Women In Distress. Katina also took time to teach about what it means to be a CHAMP, with Clear Goals, Honesty, Appreciation of Others and Yourself, Mental Toughness and the importance of having a Positive Attitude.

The camp culminated with a final performance, where Katina's husband and Miami Dolphins legend, Jason Taylor, was in attendance along with the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders, local media and campers' families. Medals, awards and autographed group photos by both Jason and Katina were distributed to each camper. The camp's most prestigious award, a one-year scholarship to the West Broward Gymnastics Academy and a gymnastics leotard was given to Jamillah of the Boys & Girls Club of Broward County, for her outstanding achievements and true display of "Cartwheels to Character" throughout camp.

CAMP KATINA CREATES FIRST-EVER MUSIC VIDEO TO

THE JONAS BROTHERS' "POM POMS"

For the first time ever, Katina Taylor and the 55 deserving girls at this year's Camp Katina - Cartwheels to Character program filmed a music video to the Jonas Brothers' hit single "Pom Poms." Directed and filmed by JTF volunteer, Trevor Viner, this music video highlighted Camp Katina and its high energy gymnastics & cheerleading activities at the West Broward Gymnastics Academy.

The Jonas Brother's "Pom Poms" became this summer's Camp Katina theme song, as Katina teaches a performance dance at every camp. As she traveled the country with ProCamps, directing cheer camps for NFL & NBA stars, including A.J. Green (Cincinatti Bengals), Dwyane Wade (Miami HEAT), Jason Witten (Dallas Cowboys), the campers just loved moving to this catchy song! At the final Camp Katina of the summer back home in South Florida with the Jason Taylor Foundation, the Jonas Brothers' were kind enough to support these efforts with autographed photos for deserving campers and the camp's best dancers!

Check out the Camp Katina music video to "Pom Poms" by visiting the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ3ZlR_87d4

JTF PARTNERS WITH MASCOT BOOKS AND

JULIE KICKLIGHTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOK LAUNCH

The Jason Taylor Foundation has partnered with Mascot Books & children's author, Julie Kicklighter, on their newest book project, "F is for Football." This colorfully illustrated book teaches kids the alphabet and all about football at the same time! As a former Miami Dolphins Cheerleader, Kicklighter understands the importance of giving back to this community. Mascot Books and Kicklighter share the same passion to improve literacy and build a better future for the kids here in South Florida, so they are going to donate $1 for every book sold directly to the Jason Taylor Foundation. Help us spread the word!

Learn more about "F is for Football" as well as online purchasing options:

Click HERE to purchase through Mascot Books.

Click HERE to purchase through Amazon.com.

Click HERE to purchase through Barnes & Noble.

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The Jason Taylor Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports and creates programs that facilitate the personal growth and improvement of South Florida's children in need by focusing on improved health care, education and quality of life.

If you are interested in making a contribution to the Jason Taylor Foundation, please CLICK HERE to make a donation through our website or please contact our offices at (954) 424-0799.

www.JasonTaylorFoundation.org