NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Brooklyn Community Foundation, the first and largest organization of its kind devoted exclusively to supporting nonprofits working in Brooklyn, has awarded a grant of $20,000 to Global Kids. The grant will support Global Kids' Power of Citizenry Leadership program at the High School for Global Citizenship (HSGC) in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. This multifaceted program, which takes place both in the classroom and in an afterschool setting, targets low performing students in all grade levels, engaging them in dynamic workshops that develop their academic and leadership skills, encourage critical thinking, and prepare them for higher education and the 21st century workplace.
"The Brooklyn Community Foundation understands the needs of the community and we are extremely grateful for their generosity," said Evie Hantzopoulos, Executive Director of Global Kids. "With their support Global Kids is able to bring youth with different strengths, skill levels, and interests together in a collaborative environment in which they can strengthen their academic potential and develop a shared commitment to human rights, social justice, and civic engagement."
"We believe every child in Brooklyn should have access to a good education, good role models and have a chance to succeed," said Marilyn Gelber, president of the Brooklyn Community Foundation. "We are proud to support Global Kids through our Education and Youth Achievement Fund."
Global Kids' highly effective approach to youth development is based on a global affairs curriculum, through which students examine global issues, make local connections, and create change through peer education, social action, digital media, and service-learning, while receiving intensive support from Global Kids staff. The Power of Citizenry Leadership program creates a nurturing environment for young people, and builds the leadership, critical thinking, research, communication, digital literacy, and teambuilding skills which are essential to their long-term success. In addition to afterschool workshops and classroom work, students in the program have opportunities to take part in field trips, internships, and visits from foreign policy experts. They develop and lead their own social action campaigns and service projects, and receive intensive, ongoing college and career support.
About Global Kids, Inc –
Global Kids works to develop youth leaders for the global stage through dynamic global education and leadership development programs. Global Kids inspires underserved youth to achieve academic excellence, self-actualization and global competency, and empowers them to take action on critical issues facing their communities and our world. Through its professional development initiatives, Global Kids provides educators with strategies for integrating experiential learning methods and international issues into urban classrooms. Over ninety percent of the high school seniors who participate in Global Kids' leadership programs graduate from high school.
The Global Kids, Inc. logo is available at
About Brooklyn Community Foundation – www.brooklyncommunityfoundation.org
Brooklyn Community Foundation's mission is to improve the lives of people in Brooklyn by strengthening communities through local giving, grantmaking and community service. The first and only one of its kind in Brooklyn, the Foundation was founded in 2009 to support the borough's most effective nonprofits in five Fields of Interest: Art for All, Caring Neighbors, Community Development, Education and Youth Achievement, and Green Communities. Since 1998, operating as the Independence Community Foundation, the Foundation distributed more $70 million in grants throughout New York Metro area, more than half of which was in Brooklyn. Learn more at: www.BrooklynCommunityFoundation.org; Follow on Twitter @DoGoodBklyn.
About HSGC –
The High School for Global Citizenship is a community of active learners and problem solvers who are engaged participants in a multidisciplinary and experiential approach to learning both in and outside of the classroom. The school is committed to both academic achievement at the highest standards and to the promotion of diversity, justice, human rights, and the democratic process.
CONTACT: Sofia Oviedo Global Kids 212-226-2116 sofia@globalkids.org Ned Wilbur Global Kids 212-226-0130 ned@globalkids.org