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Upcoming Events
By Mike Quinzio On February 17th, 2010 | 0 Comments
Story Love!
Story Love! was fantastic last night. Thanks to the 18 volunteers who helped out, we were able to write encouraging comments on every story from the kids at PS 154 in Harlem.
By Mike Quinzio On January 13th, 2010 | 0 Comments
Holiday Update from Knovel
From the CFK Board Chairman, Chris Forbes, the CEO of Knovel. Thanks to Chris and all the great employees at Knovel, CFK was able to provide a special surprise this holiday season for the families in need at P.S. 160 in Jamaica, Queens.
Crowds are not new to Manhattan, yet getting to Knovel’s New York City office during this busy holiday season is a bit more challenging than usual. You have to maneuver your way through throngs of people who are shopping, gawking at festively decorated windows, and milling around Rockefeller Center to see the tree and ice skaters. It’s a season of giving and receiving in a year that has challenged many.
In this context, I reflect upon what I’ve accomplished personally and professionally as one year ends and another begins. From a business perspective, Knovel has had a strong year measured by 90%+ subscription renewals, new customers, team growth, on-time product development and good employee morale in a tough year. Our planning for 2010 is in high gear, and the bar is high. So my time has lately been dominated by budget negotiations, sales projections and product planning meetings. In this swirl of activity, it was important for me not to loose sight of the value of spending quality time with family and giving back to the community.
I’ve been involved with Change for Kids for many years and currently serve as the Chairman of the Board. It’s been a rewarding experience. We partner with New York City public schools to bring underprivileged children enrichment programs, such as literacy, arts, music, and fitness, that engage them in a way that their proficiency in core programs (e.g., math and reading) sees measurable improvement. Over 85% of the families that send their children to the schools we support live below the “poverty line,” so they would not have access to these programs without Change for Kids (CFK). Through the 14 years of our existence, we have seen many lives changed for the better. Take a look at this video, and you’ll get a sense for what we do.
As you consider your personal and professional goals for 2010, I encourage you to support a charity or cause you are passionate about. Volunteer your time, donate toys, books, or clothes. Raise awareness about an organization or issue. The possibilities are endless. Cash donations, while always welcome, are increasingly difficult for people to make. Don’t underestimate the value your of enthusiasm, time, talent and insight.
Every holiday season the Vice-Principal of P.S. 160, a 90% poverty-rate school situation in Jamaica, Queens makes an effort to provide something special for her most-needy students and their families. This year Knovel employees sponsored 10 families from P.S.160 donating children’s clothes, toys and books. Here’s Mike Quinzio, our program director, delivering gifts last week.
We’ll keep you posted on all of our community activities throughout the year.
In the meantime, if you are interested in Change for Kids, you might consider reading to our children, helping out in our offices, or taking part in one of many other activities – check out these volunteer opportunities.
Happy New Year!
By Mike Quinzio On January 12th, 2010 | 0 Comments
Update from the Story Pirates
Story Pirates Performing
Jamie Salka, the founder and CEO of Story Pirates program, relayed the following story of Jean Carlos, a student at our Harlem school:
Two years ago, Jean Carlos, a first grader at PS 154 in Harlem, cautiously scrawled a few sentences about trick-or-treating during a Story Pirates writing workshop. It made us smile, and to his great surprise, we chose to perform Jean Carlos’ story, “The Little Ghost,” in front of his entire school. Since then, we have presented the sketch in dozens of assemblies throughout New York.
When we returned to PS 154 this fall (as we have each year since we began – it was the first school we ever visited), Jean Carlos approached a Story Pirates teacher and proudly submitted a folded piece of looseleaf. Inside was a confident, quirky and expansive story called “The Little Ghost 2.” Written in his free time, it was an impressively fleshed out sequel, slyly peppered with pop culture references and satirical allusions to the original; not bad for a third grader. Many of the characters were the same, but Jean Carlos the writer was in a new league.
By Mike Quinzio On January 12th, 2010 | 0 Comments
Become a Literacy Tutor!
We’re recruiting literacy tutors for our schools in Harlem and Bedstuy!
Help kids in grades K-2 build essential literacy skills through 1-on-1 and small group sessions. It is an easy an fun way to make a measurable impact on the lives’ of our kids.
Interested tutors should be:
- willing to commit 1.5 hours per week (not including transportation time)
- patient, understanding, clear-spoken, and willing to help
- able to attend a mandatory orientation session facilitated by school teachers or literacy specialist
Email me or call me if you are interested:
mquinzio@changeforkids.org – 212-213-8061
Reading a book out-loud