The Change for Kids Mission

Helping Kids Yesterday and Today

In 1994, the kindergarten teachers at P.S. 243 in Bedford-Stuyvesant were allocated $12.43 per student to purchase supplies – everything from books to paper to pencils. When we realized that a child's yearly allocation was the equivalent of 3 lattes, we drew two conclusions: 1) that this was wrong - something had to be done; and 2) that if these children were only getting $12 dollars a year, then the smallest amount of money (in fact change) could impact the quality of education that they receive.

Change for Kids believes that the foundation on which to build every child's future is an education. Give a child a book, you'll inspire him. Give a child a paintbrush, she'll become creative. Give four children a fish tank, they'll become responsible. Change for Kids is the conduit through which businesses and individuals can directly provide these tools to children in New York City's under-funded public schools.

Since 1996, Change for Kids has been dedicated to improving children's education in New York City's most under-resourced public elementary schools and helping these children to develop to their full potential. CFK believes that every student deserves to experience and participate in the exciting cultural world around them. We work with schools, principals, teachers and volunteers to provide New York City public school children with access to the fine and performing arts, sciences and the humanities.

CFK's programs benefit over 3,000 children annually and include: