In two of the most crime-ridden neighborhoods of Northeast Washington, on a street that 20/20 called "the worst street in America," in a tiny building, hope shines. This little building houses The Fishing School where at-risk inner city children find refuge from violence, addiction and abuse. Founded in 1990 by Tom Lewis, a retired D.C. Police Officer, it is based on the old pro-verb "if you give a man a fish, you'll feed him for a day; teach him how to fish and he will feed himself for a lifetime." The programs offered by the School are what our nation's capital needs to begin reversing the startling rates of failure in public schools.

An education is the best way to "unlock" the door and give children an opportunity to become productive citizens. The over $650,000 raised by CharityWorks in 2003 will allow the school to serve more than 200 at-risk elementary school children, to purchase buses, to expand the School's educational programs and to establish a scholarship program.