The Standard Charitable Foundation Grants $5,000 to The Shadow Project

Grant supports advocacy and education for disadvantaged youth

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Standard Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Standard Insurance Company (“The Standard”), has awarded a $5,000 grant to The Shadow Project. The grant will provide copies of the forthcoming children’s book, The Boy Who Learned Upside Down, to be distributed to approximately 400 low-income, special needs children in The Shadow Project program residing in the Portland and McMinnville school districts. The book reduces the stigma of special education and empowers children with special needs to recognize themselves as capable and courageous.

“This grant allows us to continue our work to close the achievement gap and build self-confidence for students with ‘invisible’ disabilities such as dyslexia, ADHD, autism and communications disorders.”

“We are incredibly thankful for The Standard Charitable Foundation’s generous support,” said Christy Scattarella, executive director of The Shadow Project. “This grant allows us to continue our work to close the achievement gap and build self-confidence for students with ‘invisible’ disabilities such as dyslexia, ADHD, autism and communications disorders.”

The Shadow Project collaborates with special education teachers to build school-wide appreciation for children who learn differently by bringing together mainstream and special-needs students in a positive way. The Project addresses the needs of low-income, at-risk students by encouraging self-confidence and strong values from an early age.

To learn more about The Standard Charitable Foundation, please visit www.standard.com/foundation.

About The Standard Charitable Foundation

The Standard Charitable Foundation is the independent charitable and philanthropic arm of The Standard. Founded in 2006, the Foundation’s mission is to make a positive difference in communities by supporting community development, education, disability and health organizations. While the Foundation has a broad goal of making a positive difference in communities, it places special emphasis on helping individuals and families who have experienced a loss or setback such as a major disability or the loss of a loved one. Since 2006, The Standard, its employees and The Standard Charitable Foundation have contributed more than $12 million in grants and social investments.

About The Standard

The Standard is a leading provider of financial products and services, including group and individual disability insurance, group life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, group dental and vision insurance, absence management services, retirement plans products and services, individual annuities and investment advice. For more information about The Standard, visit www.standard.com.

The Standard is the marketing name for StanCorp Financial Group, Inc., and its subsidiaries: Standard Insurance Company, The Standard Life Insurance Company of New York, Standard Retirement Services, Inc., StanCorp Mortgage Investors, Inc., StanCorp Investment Advisers, Inc., StanCorp Real Estate, LLC, and StanCorp Equities, Inc.

About The Shadow Project

The Shadow Project partners with special education teachers to help close the achievement gap for students with complex learning challenges. Just as wheelchair ramps foster independence for persons with physical disabilities, The Shadow Project helps make learning accessible for boys and girls whose ‘invisible’ disabilities include dyslexia, ADHD, autism and communications disorders. The Shadow Project serves 28 Portland-area schools, providing life-changing classroom enrichment that helps struggling students reach goals and turn “I can’t” into “I can!” For more information about The Shadow Project, visit www.shadow-project.org.