A: In the future the project might expand, but for now it is focused on students for whom such a partnership would have the greatest overall impact.
Q: Can I, as a public figure, spend more time with my student partner than three hours?
A: Certainly. One three-hour outing is the recommended minimum.
Q: I am an actor, can I be a public partner?
A: At this time, since one of the primary goals is increased civic involvement, the focus is on elected officials, civic employees and journalists. There might be room for expansion down the line.
Q: Can I, as a public figure, partner with more than one student?
A: Yes, but we request no more than three students per public figure because one of the goals is mentorship, and in order for that mentorship to be powerful, it should be quite personalized. Please encourage your fellow public figures to participate!
Q: Can I, as a public figure, donate more than $120 per student partner?
A: Certainly, you may donate as much as you lilke on behalf of your student partner.
Q: Who pays the $120 - the individual who happens to work for a civic agency, or the civic agency?
A: The $120 is a personal expense that may be considered a charitable donation. It is not meant to be a public expenditure paid by taxpayers.
Q: What kinds of outings are recommended?
A: The type of outing is dependent on the particular relationship that develops between the public figure and the student partner. It could be time spent at school with the student. It could be time spent at work with the public figure. It could be a baseball game, a double-feature, or a ride to the Getty in a fire truck. It is entirely up to the public figure, the student partner and the student partner's family. It is considered a private occasion for which the student's family signs a permission slip and for which the public figure releases his employer from both added expense and liability. Full legal disclosures are available upon request.
Q: Should the public figure feel obligated to become a benefactor to the student partner and/or the student partner's family?
A: Absolutely not. The goals of each partnership include raising a small amount of money for the student's school so that the student's chance of getting to and through college is greater; providing a role model for the student; and encouraging civic involvement. The purpose of the project is not to create a relationship of financial dependency.
Q: How are public figures paired with student partners?
A: Currently, the teachers and staff who know the students make the pairings. Typically, there is an attempt to match genders and interests. Upon expression of intent to participate, the public figure completes a brief questionnaire to help the teachers and staff discover a bit about his or her experience and interests so that the pairing is potentially quite successful.
Q: I am a public figure who is interested in participating. What is the first step?
A: Complete this questionnaire and e-mail it to andrea.kittelson@aspirepublicschools.org. Upon acceptance into the project you will be asked to make a donation, and you will then be sent a letter of introduction from your student partner.
Q: I am a public figure who has already confirmed participation, what is the next step?
A: Complete this questionnaire and send a check for $120 per partnership.
Make your check payable to:
Aspire Public Schools (with "3 Dollars 3 Hours" in the memo field)
Mail your check to:
Aspire Pacific Academy
2565 58th Street
Huntington Park, CA 90255
Attn: 3 Dollars 3 Hours
We will follow up immediately with a letter of introduction from your student partner(s).
Thank you for helping make both history and a difference.