Develop Global Youth Leaders in NYC and DC!

Dear Friends,

Happy Winter! It may be cold in New York (and D.C.) but our youth show no sign of stopping in their efforts to make change in their local and global communities. Read below to hear about some of the amazing work they have been doing!

Middle Schoolers Help Those in Need

Global Kids middle schoolers at Manhattan East School for Arts and Academics have been examining poverty in their communities and around the world. Their culminating project was a food/item drive where they collected canned food, medical supplies, and basic hygienic products to donate to organizations who help those in need. After considering their options, students chose two organizations - The Bowery Mission in New York City, and The Puerto Rican Family Institute for those affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in Puerto Rico.

Students created flyers, decorated collection boxes, and spread the word about the items. Global Kids will also be running a "Cupcakes for Cans" campaign during the last week of the drive, encouraging students to bring in canned goods in exchange for a treat. The students have learned that helping others is important for our community and it feels great!

High School Students Pitch In to Help Their Community

Global Kids Leaders from John Adams High School's Newcomers Small Learning Center volunteered on their day off on Election Day to participate in a community clean-up project. They were tasked with the responsibility to clean up around the school, community and the underpass by the A train. Over 34 students participated in this community service project to advocate for a cleaner community.

Making Connections in DC

Global Kids-DC's city-wide program has partnered with nearby Dunbar High School's English Language Learners (ELL) department to bring their youth to GK-DC's Friday afternoons at Shaw Library. The students who are from Washington, DC have an opportunity to meet with young people from Cote D'Ivoire, Cameroon, Dominican Republic, and Ethiopia. Recently, they exchanged both language and perspectives on human rights.

GK Human Rights Activists Take on Climate Change

Youth from Global Kids’ Human Rights Activist Project (HRAP), which addresses the absence of youth voices in the public policy decision-making process, have spent the last several months mobilizing community members in the fight against climate change and amplifying their collective voice through public speaking and art activism. In collaboration with Rachel Schragis--a visual artist, cultural organizer, and youth worker referred to HRAP by 350.org--project participants created artistic renderings for the Sandy5 March, which celebrated the 5th anniversary of SuperStorm Sandy. Just a few days later, youth from across school sites joined the HRAP cohort to attended the Sunrise Movement’s Day of Dedication.  The Sunrise Movement, a campaign focused on capturing the current political discourse regarding climate change and climate justice, created the Day to unite young people and provide space to “reflect and recommit” to fighting for a better future and stopping the climate crisis. GK youth participated in the Day by bringing letters or artifacts to be placed in a time capsule that will be opened in 100 years. Prior to the event, HRAP students wrote letters to their future grandchildren and future selves to be placed in a time capsule. The letters spoke to students’ hopes and aspirations for the fight to end climate change and injustice.

Citywide Leadership

Students in GK’s Friday Citywide Leadershipprogram, representing 16 different schools, have spent their weekly meetings exploring how their diversity facilitates a strong learning environment. Soon they will focus on human rights topics, such as women's rights and immigration in preparation for the start of Annual Youth Conference planning!

We expect a busy spring and hope you will tune in to hear more about the work of Global Kids’ phenomenal youth leaders!

Links:

• Donate to Global Kids!