Local Schools, Nonprofits, Community Partners
to Empower Students to Succeed
GEORGETOWN, Ky., July 24,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota USA Foundation announced grants of up to
$5.7 million to prepare students in
Scott County, Fayette County and Ignite Institute in
Northern Kentucky for future
science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)
careers. Driving Possibilities focuses on PreK-12 education to
ensure all students have access to rewarding careers, including
opportunities in the auto industry.
"Our goal is to increase awareness of future STEM careers while
helping build sustainable programs in the communities where our
Toyota team members live and work," said Tellis Bethel, group vice president of social
innovation, Toyota. "With $1.2
million in its first year and more to come in the years
ahead, we are excited to expand Driving Possibilities here in
Kentucky, home to our largest
manufacturing plant in the world."
The long-term initiative's phased approach, which offers
programming in specific schools based on input from district
leaders, aims to close educational gaps through innovative,
hands-on STEM programming while addressing the essential needs of
students and families.
"Toyota understands the future of our economy is in our
classrooms," said Jacqueline
Coleman, Kentucky Lt. Governor. "This investment will
eliminate barriers to success, increase opportunities for students,
and help us achieve our goal of a quality education for every
Kentuckian."
Driving Possibilities in Kentucky centers on three key areas designed
to expand literacy and language resources, build education and
industry partnerships, and address transportation barriers.
"The Driving Possibilities framework provides a holistic
approach to ensure all children have equal access to opportunities
and a pathway to high-growth careers," said Kerry Creech, president of Toyota Kentucky. "In
collaboration with community partners and businesses, we are
focusing resources inside and outside the classroom to help
students overcome barriers."
In 2022, the Toyota USA
Foundation announced Driving Possibilities, a $110 million national, career readiness and
community engagement initiative, launched to prepare youth for the
careers of tomorrow. It is a unique approach that brings together
educators, local and national nonprofits, and communities to create
limitless possibilities for all. With efforts across the PreK-12
education continuum, the program is the largest and most
comprehensive in Toyota's history. The initiative is funded by
Toyota USA Foundation, Toyota
Motor North America (TMNA), and Toyota Financial Services (TFS).
Kentucky is the second site to
launch programming based on more than 60 years of active support in
communities across the U.S. and builds off the successful model in
West Dallas.
About Toyota USA
Foundation
The Toyota USA Foundation is
a charitable endowment created to support education programs
serving PreK through 12th-grade students and their
teachers in the United States,
with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and math
(STEM). For more information about the Toyota USA Foundation, visit
www.toyotaeffect.com/impact.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the
cultural fabric in North America
for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable,
next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus
our more than 1,800 dealerships.
Toyota directly employs more than 63,000 people in North America who have contributed to the
design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 45 million cars and
trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota's
14th plant in North
Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for
electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road
than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 24 electrified
options.
About Toyota Financial Services
Toyota Financial Services (TFS) is the brand for
finance and related products for Toyota in the United States, offering retail auto
financing and leasing through Toyota Motor Credit Corporation
(TMCC) and Toyota Lease Trust. TFS also
offers vehicle and payment protection products through Toyota Motor
Insurance Services (TMIS). The company services
Lexus dealers and customers using the Lexus
Financial Services brand.
As of March 31, 2022, TFS employed
approximately 3,700 team members nationwide, and had assets
totaling over $135 billion. It is
part of a worldwide network of comprehensive financial services
offered by Toyota Financial Services Corporation, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation.
Media Contacts:
Amanda Roark
amanda.roark@toyota.com
Kim Ogle
Kim.ogle@toyota.com
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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America