Three-Year Grant Funds “Middle Ground” Program That Offers After-School Activities For Brooklyn Youth
NEW YORK, N.Y., October 3, 2006 — Groundwork, Inc. announced today a three-year, $225,000 grant from the New York Life Foundation which will fund the expansion of the Middle Ground after-school program by supporting additional staff, developing new curriculum, and providing educational materials and supplies.
“This grant from the New York Life Foundation will help provide middle school youth with educational activities and academic and social skills that will prepare them for a successful transition to high school and adulthood,” said Richard Buery, executive director, Groundwork. “The instruction and special attention they’ll receive will help their development on many levels at this critical juncture in their lives.”
“We are pleased to partner with Brooklyn’s Groundwork to provide the children of East New York with a wide range of academic and social enrichment opportunities,” said Peter Bushyeager, president of the New York Life Foundation.
During the 2006-2007 school year, the program will operate at I.S. 292 with approximately 40 students. The following year, Groundwork will continue the pilot at I.S. 292 and focus on refining and finalizing the curriculum. In the final year of the grant, the program will expand to include P.S. 328 and 40 additional students. Ultimately, Groundwork will expand the program to other schools in East New York.
To supplement staff, Groundwork will extensively train high school and college students from the neighborhood to serve as tutors and team leaders. College students will serve as senior team leaders and the high school students will assist them.
Groundwork was co-founded in 2002 by Richard Buery, an East New York native and civil rights lawyer with a background in youth development and social entrepreneurship. Groundwork helps young people living in high poverty urban communities develop their strengths, skills, talents and competencies through effective experiential learning and work programs. Groundwork believes that young people can accomplish extraordinary things for their communities and themselves if they are given meaningful opportunities to perform, offered appropriate training and support, and held to high standards. Groundwork also believes that this combination of education, support and empowerment helps families transform their lives and their communities. For more information about Groundwork and its programs, visit www.groundworkinc.org.
The New York Life Foundation is the major vehicle through which New York Life Insurance Company channels contributions to national and local nonprofit organizations. Through its Nurturing the Children initiative, the Foundation supports organizations, programs and services that target young people, particularly in the areas of mentoring, safe places to learn and grow, and educational enhancement opportunities. Please visit the Foundation’s Web site at www.newyorklifefoundation.org.
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