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History
KMRIA (Kids Must Read In America) is inspired and rooted in 'Fibber's' own past and plight to help suspended / expelled or disabled children who do not seem to be able to function in a traditional school environment.
In 1988 'Fibber McGee' suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI). His short term memory was lost and he spent most of his time going from one hospital to another attempting to find a cure.
During the early 1990's 'Fibber' enrolled at Castleton State College and took enough credits to earn a C.A.G.S. certification which made him a principal /administrator in Vermont public schools. Added to his B.A. and M.A. it qualified him to teach social studies, literature & psychology in public schools. Aside from this, he published a book entitled "To Christmas Past" which detailed his TBI and the plight of those who, through no fault of their own, suffered from ADD / ADHD, TBI, spina bifida, and a host of other social/economic circumstances that largely prevented them from learning.
'Fibber's' story is not unique and many of today's young people face problems just as bold & frightening as 'Fibber's' TBI. Being the product of a broken home, an abusive parent, an incurable illness, a lack of money, the absence of food or a place to sleep, or being suspended/expelled from school are scary reasons to a child. All they want is the chance to succeed.
KMRIA Inc. began on Halloween (Oct. 31) when a 501(c)(3) application was written. This was awarded on January 7th, 2003. By February 24, 2003 the KMRIA Federal application was completed. No one ( not even the Federal government) knew if it would measure up to the specific regulations for filling a nonprofit corporation in education.
One of the greatest absences of KMRIA was the failure to provide a facility to house the students.
By the end of March KMRIA was informed that only one other 501(c)(3) had ever been accepted without having a facility. On April 21, 2003 the federal government made KMRIA Inc. a 501(3)(c) nonprofit corporation. Only the second in the history of the United States.
KMRIA offers disabled children the opportunity to gain an education, employment and "life skills" using the community as a learning center. By using the computers, students are able to access knowledge and to communicate with the world. One-on-one tutoring builds self-confidence essential for becoming self-reliant adults, able to make positive contributions to others and to their communities.
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