KDK-Harman Foundation

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 26, 2007 — KDK-Harman Foundation, an Austin-based family foundation, today announced the winners of the inaugural GED Award of Excellence at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. A total of $75,000 was awarded to the top three GED programs in the Central Texas area. The first place winner of the KDK-Harman GED Award of Excellence was Austin Learning Academy of Austin and received the $35,000 award. The second place winner was Community Action, Inc. of San Marcos and received the $25,000 prize. The third place winner was The Austin Academy of Austin and received $15,000. Applications from Central Texas non-profit agencies were reviewed by an expert panel from Texas State University through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process.

The goals of this award are many. First, is to recognize those GED Programs that successfully employ innovative strategies that increase the completion of their students taking GED classes and encourage continuation of post-secondary education or entry into the workforce. Second is to emphasize those that are demonstrating "best in class" qualities. Third, is to highlight the need for adult education funding.

As a culminating event, applicants and other providers of GED programming were invited to attend a GED Collaborative Learning Session facilitated by the Texas State University expert panel in advance of the award ceremony and luncheon. Attendees to the award ceremony included local politicians, researchers, foundations, applicants, and other non-profit agencies providing GED services. The two key note speakers were Susan Clifford-Narvaiz, Mayor of the City of San Marcos, who has a GED Certificate, and Joanie Rethlake, the state director for adult education.

Janet Harman, Founder and President of the KDK-Harman Foundation states, "This award will not only highlight organizations that go above and beyond in the way they instruct services, it recognizes those specifically who do so in an innovative and effective manner. In addition, this initiative places emphasis on the importance of those students studying for their GED, by acknowledging that they will provide our community with a stronger, more knowledgeable workforce."

About KDK-Harman Foundation

KDK-Harman Foundation was founded by Janet E. Harman in December of 2004. The Foundation provides financial assistance to charitable organizations that serve economically disadvantaged Central Texas families through educational programs. The ultimate goal of such funding is to transform their lives from poverty to financial independence to enable a better life for themselves and future generations. In short, the mission of the KDK-Harman Foundation is to break the cycle of poverty through education.