Redemption Stone chronicles the life of Tom Lewis, a retired policeman who founded The Fishing School, a

family service center for at-risk youth located in Washington, D.C. It is a journey though the eyes of Lewis who
brings an extraordinary spirit to his lifes work. Born into a poor family of sixteen children in a small Southern
town, Lewis navigates his way through the world, first as a migrant worker, a factory laborer, a soldier, and finally
a riot cop on the tumultuous streets of Washington, D.C. Lewiss life takes a twist when he buys a former crack
house on one of the most dangerous streets in America and opens up a place he calls The Fishing School. Its
here that Lewis turns hardship into hope for the children of his community.
The International Documentary Association in Los Angeles recognized Redemption Stone, produced, directed
and edited by Tom Dziedzic, for outstanding documentary achievement as one of five best short films of the year.
Redemption Stone screened at several film festivals including Slamdance, received an EMMY nomination and
won a CINE Golden Eagle.

Host your own

#25FOR25 VIEWING PARTY

for THE FISHING SCHOOL
If you believe in the mission of The
Fishing School and want to show your
support, tell the story of Tom Lewis and
his incredible vision to help DC youth
and families at a #25for25 Viewing Party.

Its easy!

1. Invite your family and friends over.

2. Screen Redemption Stone.
3. Distribute TFS Viewing Party packet.
4. Stay connected to our work and
encourage others to do the same!

Connect with us!

@TFSinDC

Facebook.com/TheFishingSchool

#25FOR25

Why Viewing Parties?

Small, festive gatherings around the screening of a film or live-streamed event are great ways to spread ideas
worth sharing and information about important issues. They invite people to be a part of a larger conversation
and engage with their communities in a creative and thought-provoking way. Few people are capable of making
big donations to important causes, but everyone is capable of doing something to help. This collective effort
can have a big impact on organizations like TFS. If you support TFS and want more people to engage in
the outstanding work we have done each day for the past 25 years, host your own viewing party between
September 30 and November 30! Email Elizabeth Spagnoletti at espagnoletti@fishingschool.org to receive
your information packet and register your viewing party.

Objective
This year, in honor of The Fishing Schools 25th anniversary, we cant think of a better way to celebrate than to
do it with the TFS community! Thats why were asking you to gather at least 10 of your closest friends and
family and host a #25for25 Anniversary Viewing Party. At the party, you will screen the award-winning
documentary Redemption Stone: The Life and Times of Tom Lewis, foster engaging and thought-provoking
conversation amongst your guests, spread information about the good work of The Fishing School, and
hopefully inspire others to join you in making a donation. If, after the screening, each guest donates $25 per
monthone dollar for every year TFS has remained committed to changing livesthats $3,000 toward
continuing quality out of school time programming for DCs youth and families.

What is The Fishing School?

The Fishing School (TFS) is an educational nonprofit organization based in northeast Washington, DC that
provides high-impact out of school time (OST) programs for public school elementary and middle school
students. TFS programs prepare students for success in high school and life by improving their academic
performance and life skills, and by engaging them and their parents in intensive, multi-year, and researchbased OST and parent engagement programs and activities.
Twenty-five years ago, our founder Mr. Tom Lewis was inspired by a grand vision to bring about change in the
lives of youth in Washington, DC. Taking a cue from the timeless adage, If you give a man a fish, you will
feed him for a day; teach him how to fish, and he will feed himself for a lifetime, Mr. Lewis began what is now
among one of the leading youth programs in the District. Recognizing that education can unlock the door to
knowledge and opportunity, as well as break the cycle of poverty, TFS has served more than 5,000 children in
underserved communities in DC since 1990. TFS currently engages over 400 students each day at the Bishop
Walker School for Boys, J.O. Wilson Elementary, Leckie Elementary, and Plummer Elementary in academic
and life skills development, and engages their families in support services as well. We hope to grow and
continue delivering excellent programming for 25+ years to come. Check out what The Fishing School has
become today!

Why Out of School Time Programs?

Evidence suggests that a students level of achievement by the 8th grade is a stronger indicator of future
college and workforce success than a high school diploma. Students who do not participate in OST activities
are shown to be 49% more likely to use drugs and 40% more likely to become teen parents than students who
invest just one to four hours per week participating in OST activities.
Further, in 2013, 83% of DCPS 8th graders tested were not proficient in reading, and 81% were
not proficient in math. DCPS high schools in our target communities of Wards 6, 7, and 8 have
an average four-year graduation rate of only 49.6% well under the DC baseline of 61%.
Recent research has shown that unless significant academic interventions are undertaken,

WWW.FISHINGSCHOOL.ORG

middle school students who attend less than 80% of school days, or fail English or math, are 75% more likely
to drop out of high school.
Fortunately for TFS participants, our unwavering focus on academic achievement provides the intensive
academic intervention needed to combat these trends. Our programmatic model, built on our highly innovative
Cohort Model, is a multi-year continuum targeting improvements in students academic performance and
overall life skills, while also engaging their parents and families to create a more holistic and supportive
learning environment.
Due to this approach, TFS programs were ranked first in math and second in reading outcomes for youth out of
24 programs funded by the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), and we were identified
by the same evaluator as a best practice OST model. In 2013-14, 60% of our students increased their
reading grades, compared with a citywide 21st CCLC average of 36%. In math, TFS students also excelled;
52% increased their grades, compared to a citywide average of 37%. At one TFS school, 87% of students
improved their grades in reading, as did 76% in math.
Even with these impressive results, TFS needs your help! Heres how:

TFS #25for25 Anniversary Viewing Party Checklist & Agenda

Join TFS in celebrating 25 years of impact by hosting a #25for25 Anniversary Viewing Party of the 30minute documentary Redemption Stone: The Life and Times of Tom Lewis. Were thrilled to have you and
your guests celebrate with us! Before the party begins, we have some recommendations to ensure you have a
successful event.
Checklist: Before the Viewing Party
___ Secure a venue and date. A Viewing Party can take place anywhere! In your home, at your church,
community center, the possibilities are endless.
___ Determine which method you will use to screen the film. If you choose to stream it via YouTube, youll
want to make sure you have access to a reliable internet connection. Otherwise, you can click here to
purchase a DVD copy of the film a few weeks in advance.
___ Reach out to TFS (see contact information below) to set up an event on EventBrite. This is an easy way
to get the word out about your Viewing Party and track guest information.
___ Invite your guests! Now that you have a location, time, and venue and have determined
how you will screen Redemption Stone, the real fun can begin. Use one of our email templates
(see below) to send out invitations to at least 10 of your friends and family. Dont forget to
remind them using our email reminder templates leading up to the event, too.
___ Practice making the ask. We hope that guests will be inspired to give based upon the film
and hearing more about TFS, but they need to be directly asked to make a gift.

WWW.FISHINGSCHOOL.ORG

___ Are you considering serving beverages or snacks at your Viewing Party? Now is good time to make your
list. How about a potluck?
___ Use our handy social media guide (see below) to spread the word about your party and to encourage
others to plan their own.
___ Make sure you and all your friends have liked us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
Checklist: Day of the Viewing Party
___ Have a laptop or tablet handy so your guests can process their suggested recurring gift of $25/month
online through our Razoo page. If your guests prefer to make a donation using cash or check, be sure to have
enough TFS donation envelopes and pens for your guests!
___ Print out our list of suggested discussion questions (see below) for the Q&A after the film.
___ Make sure you have plenty of comfortable seats for your guests.
___ Test your internet connection speed to ensure seamless viewing of Redemption Stone. If you are
streaming via YouTube, youll want to be sure to adjust the video settings to 720p HD for the best quality (you
can find this under the round gear settings icon at the bottom right of the video frame). Using a DVD instead?
Be sure to set it up prior to show time!
___ Take a look at our website and let your guests know why you decided to host a Viewing Party and why
OST programming is so vital to improving youth outcomes.
___ Enjoy the show! Take pictures of your party and encourage guests to post about it on social media using
the hashtag #25for25.
Suggested Agenda
Welcome your guests and encourage mingling amongst those who have not met before and might build
personal or business connections.

Introduce Redemption Stone with a brief background on Tom Lewis, TFS, and why you are hosting a
#25for25 Anniversary Viewing Party.

Screen Redemption Stone.

Break for a Question & Answer period (see suggestions below).

Share recent program highlights and encourage others to research TFS.

WWW.FISHINGSCHOOL.ORG

Ask your guests to join you in making a gift of $25/month (or a one-time gift of $250) one dollar for each
year that TFS has stood the test of time and supported youth and families services in the most
underprivileged communities in DC.

Thank your guests for attending the party and their donations! Make sure you collect everyones contact
information so TFS can reach out directly to thank them (see form below).

Checklist: After the Viewing Party

___ Use our email template (see below) to thank your guests for being in attendance and for their generous
contributions to TFS.
___ We want to hear all about your event! Share your stories and thoughts with us via Facebook, Instagram,
and Twitter or reach out directly via email.

Email Templates
Youll need to get the word out about your Viewing Party! Weve got you covered. Below youll find some
helpful email templates you can send out to your guests before and after the viewing party.
Before the Viewing Party
Dear Friend,
Did you know, research shows that students who do not participate in out of school time (OST) activities are
49% more likely to abuse drugs or become teen parents than those who invest just 1-4 hours per week in an
OST program?
Thats why The Fishing School (TFS) has worked for the past 25 years to educate and empower youth
throughout the District with quality, OST programs which focus on academic achievement, life skills, and
parent engagement.
In celebration of this milestone 25th anniversary year, I am inviting 10 of my closest friends and family to a
viewing party where I will screen Redemption Stone: The Life and Times of Tom Lewis. This award-winning,
30-minute documentary film tells the story of TFS founder Tom Lewis and his inspiration behind opening the
doors of The Fishing School in 1990 on what was once called the worst street in America.
It is my hope that after seeing this film and hearing more about TFS, you will feel inspired as I have, to support
the organization either through volunteer work or with a donation. Your generosity will ensure
quality programming and positive impact for years to come!
Will you join me?
Sincerely,
______________________

WWW.FISHINGSCHOOL.ORG

Dear Friend,
Thank you for your RSVP to my TFS #25for25 Anniversary Viewing Party for the award-winning
documentary Redemption Stone, about the life of TFS founder Tom Lewis. Im so excited you will be joining
me in helping to ensure quality programming and positive impact in the lives of underserved youth and their
families in DC.
Ill see you on [insert date] at [insert location]!
Sincerely,
After the Viewing Party
Dear Friend,
Thank you for attending my TFS #25for25 Anniversary Viewing Party!
With your generous support and participation, we reached our goal of donating $[insert goal here] in support of
youth programming at TFS! Thanks to you, thousands of DC youth and families will continue to receive quality
academic enrichment in TFS OST programs.
Please continue to share your pictures and stories from the event on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Be
sure to follow The Fishing School for continued updates on the impact of your generosity.
Considering hosting a viewing party of your own? Contact TFS for more information!
Sincerely,

Social Media Guide

Twitter/Facebook
The following are some examples of posts you can use on Twitter or Facebook to create excitement around
your Viewing Party and inspire others to host their own:

To celebrate 25 years of positive outcomes for DC youth, @TFSinDC invites you to join the fun by hosting
your own #25for25 Viewing Party!

Since 1990 @TFSinDC has served youth in DC. Join me in helping them celebrate 25
years by hosting a #25for25 Viewing Party w/ friends.

WWW.FISHINGSCHOOL.ORG

Did you know @TFSinDC has served over 5k youth in DC since 1990? Help them serve thousands more
by celebrating 25 years at a #25for25 Viewing Party.

OST programs are essential 2 advance outcomes 4 DCs underserved youth. @TFSinDC celebrates 25
years of changing lives with #25for25 Viewing Parties.

Tom Lewis was inspired to start @TFSinDC 25 years ago. Lets celebrate that milestone w/ a #25for25
Viewing Party of a film about his dream.

Instagram
Dont forget to share photos of yourself getting ready for your Viewing Party and of your guests at your event!
Hashtag
Please use the hashtag #25for25 when posting about your Viewing Party. Youll be able to click through the
hashtags on social media to look at other peoples Viewing Parties and gain inspiration for your own!
Here are a few others you can use:
#TFS25for25
#TFS25
#RedemptionStone

Suggested Questions for Redemption Stone

Describe a time when youve been called to action.

Were you involved in out of school time (afterschool, summer, etc.) programming while growing up? Do
you think it had an impact on your future? If so, how?

Who or what has inspired you to be your best self throughout your life?

What barriers to success have you had to overcome?

Before founding TFS, Mr. Lewis was a leader and important figure in the lives of many children. Can you
recall someone from your childhood who served a similar role for you (teacher, family member, neighbor,
etc.)?

This year, TFS is celebrating 25 years of service to the community and has reached more than 5,000 youth
and their family members since its founding. How do we ensure quality OST family and
youth programming for the next 25 years and beyond?

WWW.FISHINGSCHOOL.ORG

Guest Contact Information

First Name ____________________________________________________________________
Last Name ____________________________________________________________________
Gender
Female
Honorific
Mrs

Male

Ms

Other

Miss

Prefer Not to Respond

Mr

Other _________

Address ______________________________________________________________________
City _____________________ State _________________________ ZIP __________________
Phone __________________________ Email ________________________________________
Professional Title _______________________________________________________________
Preferred Method of Communication
Phone
Mail
Email
Are you interested in receiving information on how you can support the mission of TFS?
Yes
No
Are you interested in volunteering with TFS?
Yes
No
Would you like to make a recurring gift of $25/month (or one-time gift of $250), which will support TFS
students and families from underserved communities in Washington, DC?
Yes
No

Thank you for celebrating 25 years with The Fishing School!

Please contact Elizabeth Spagnoletti (espagnoletti@fishingschool.org, 202-399-3618, ext. 28) if you

have any question and would like assistance setting up your Viewing Party.

WWW.FISHINGSCHOOL.ORG