South Carolina-based Miss Ruby's Kids encourages parents to act as their children's first teachers and ensure their future academic success. Through twice-weekly in-home visits for two years, mentors teach parents how children become enthusiastic learners using books and toys. Children who have been enrolled in Miss Ruby's Kids have a high school graduation rate of 84 percent, compared to South Carolina's state average of 53 percent. The small organization started serving 5 families in 2003 and increased this number to 40 by 2008–2009.
Managing such a highly successful program is possible with Microsoft Office software, which was received through the TechSoup software donation program. Staffers use Microsoft Word to create flyers and brochures in order to promote the organization's program to families across the county. Enrolled families receive notebooks of educational activities and materials as well as a monthly newsletter produced in Microsoft Publisher. The program's success rate is verified through the detailed progress records kept in Microsoft Excel.