PLANO, Texas, March 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Creating limitless
possibilities for all is the inspiration behind Driving
Possibilities, a new $110 million
education and community-focused program developed by Toyota.
Driving Possibilities leverages Toyota's more than 60 years of
active support in communities across the U.S., with a comprehensive
strategy to collaborate with academia, local and national
nonprofits, and the community. The aim is to create innovative
educational programs and improve access to opportunities where
barriers exist.
This initiative of the Toyota USA Foundation will be funded in part by
Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) and Toyota Financial Services
(TFS) and will begin a phased rollout across the company's
operational communities nationwide.
"We need to better prepare the workforce of the future by
providing a broader education and getting the next generation ready
for high-growth careers," said Ted
Ogawa, chief executive officer, TMNA. "In addition,
addressing inequities that create barriers to success will help
improve lives throughout the U.S."
A Model for the Future
Driving Possibilities focuses on PreK-12 education, building on
Toyota's existing programs across the country. The goal of the
initiative is to improve communities and get young people excited
and prepared for the job market.
The program is modeled after the early success of a PreK-8 STEM
school in West Dallas, which
recently began a phased opening. The STEM school – a joint effort
by Toyota, the Dallas Independent School District, Southern Methodist University, and the West Dallas community – utilizes a
project-based STEM curriculum, provides professional teacher
development, coordinates local services, and is enhanced by ongoing
research.
The West Dallas STEM School also will feature after school
programs, a community center, and a food pantry.
Community Approach
Beyond the classroom, Driving Possibilities includes community
engagement efforts focused on critical needs like food insecurity,
job training and mobility services. Toyota intends to partner with
other businesses, local government, educators, and nonprofits to
address education and community needs.
"Through our active partnerships with communities across the
U.S., we collaborate to improve education and help shape the future
for the next generation," said Mark
Templin, chief executive officer, TFS. "We invite other
businesses to join with us in this shared purpose."
Media Contact
Victor
Vanov, Victor.vanov@toyota.com
About the Toyota USA
Foundation
The Toyota USA
Foundation supports programs across the
education continuum in the
United States, with an emphasis on science, technology,
engineering, and math (STEM).
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in
the U.S. for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing
sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus
brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.
Toyota directly employs more than 39,000 people in
the United States who have
contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 32
million cars and trucks at our nine manufacturing plants. By
2025, Toyota's 10th plant in North
Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for
electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the
road than any other automaker, a quarter of the company's 2021 U.S.
sales were electrified.
To help inspire the next generation for a career in
STEM-based fields, including mobility, Toyota launched its virtual
education hub at www.TourToyota.com with an immersive
experience and chance to virtually visit many of our U.S.
manufacturing facilities. The hub also includes a series of free
STEM-based lessons and curriculum through Toyota USA Foundation partners, virtual field trips
and more. For more information about Toyota,
visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.
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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America