On May 13, IDEA Public Schools Founder and CEO Tom Torkelson, Founder and COO JoAnn Gonzales, and Principal of IDEA College Prep Jeremy Beard received the Peter Jennings Award for Civic Leadership. The award is presented annually to Teach For America alumni who had a breakthrough year in working toward far-reaching systemic change on an issue of critical importance to closing the achievement gap. Download Teach For America Alumni Magazine's article about IDEA Public Schools here.

Breast Cancer Action, one of Koya's longstanding clients, recently announced victory in its battle to get General Mills and Dannon to remove the hormone rBGH from Yoplait and Dannon yogurts. We're so proud of BCA's work and its Think Before You Pink Campaign, which calls for more transparency and accountability by companies that take part in breast cancer fundraising, and encourages consumers to ask critical questions about pink ribbon promotions. Visit www.bcaction.org to learn more about Breast Cancer Action and the incredible work it does in breast cancer education and advocacy. Click here to read the press release about the recent Think Before You Pink success: http://bcaction.org/index.php?page=090209-2.

One of our clients, Citizen Schools has a unique opportunity to share their story and ideas for impacting the lives of the students they serve with President-elect Obama and the rest of the nation - but they need your help.

Their recommendation for engaging volunteers to help low-income students succeed has been entered to contend as one of the "Top 10 Ideas for America" that will be presented to the Obama Administration on Inauguration Day. After the Inauguration, these ideas will be supported by a national lobbying campaign run by Change.org, MySpace, and more than a dozen leading nonprofits.

Today, or before December 31st at the latest, please vote for Citizen Schools as a leading social innovation by clicking on the link below:

http://www.change.org/ideas/view/mobilize_mentors_tutors_and_citizen_teachers_to_help_kids_succeed