Chess for Success is pleased to announce it is a 2009 Light a Fire Award winner! We’ve been selected for the “Most with the Least” Award, which recognizes an area not-for-profit doing great things with limited resources.

For nearly 20 years Chess for Success has been igniting student’s success; using chess as a fun, challenging vehicle to improve critical thinking, decision-making and self-esteem. Chess for Success served 3,200 K-8th grade students in 83 low-income schools across Oregon and SW Washington during the 2008-2009 school year.

Said our own Julie Young, Executive Director, “We are thrilled and honored to be a 2009 Light a Fire Award recipient. Doing the most with the least is a great description of our work. Thanks to the incredible partnership we have with our board, coaches, program managers and staff, we’re changing kids’ lives for the better.”

Portland Monthly Magazine and the Oregon Community Foundation sponsor the Light a Fire Awards. These awards annually recognize the achievements of area not-for-profits and individuals who are committed to improving their communities. Chess for Success, along with the other Light a Fire Award winners; will be honored at an event in early November at the Portland Art Museum. Chess for Success will also be featured in the November issue of Portland Monthly Magazine and on their Website.