By Katie Tynes | Director of Development
Global Kids had a strong start to the 2019-2020 school year with enrollment parties, introductory bridge programs and lots of team building activities. In October GK kicked off our leadership program curriculum with our students becoming engaged with all of the activities available to them. Our Leadership program focused on exploring what it means to be a global citizen using gallery walks, videos, news clips, and group discussions. They also discussed what it means to take on personal and global leadership. We were also abe to participate in COP25 again this year, taking eight Global Kid Youth Leaders to Madrid, Spain. Lastly, we were able to round out our 30th year with an alumni panel. Below are all of the highlights from the programs as well as our plans for the new school year.
GIRL HACK and DIGITAL LEARNING
Students discussed identity and representation in media and shared about their own identities. They further explored representation in movies, shows, and games, discussing who they see or don’t see represented as well as created characters illustrating identities they want to see represented more. Students have begun to use Pixton or Webtoons to create online graphic novel/comic-style stories with that character.
UNDESIRABE ELEMENTS and HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST PROJECT
Recruitment for citywide Undesirable Elements (UE), Human Rights Activist Project(HRAP) and Leadership programs took place throughout September and October with outreach at our current schools and presentations at various other high schools around the city. UE has focused on sharing with and learning about each other to consider what students may want to share in the final
performance. They were introduced to the drums, successfully learning rhythms to traditional dances from Haiti.
Students in HRAP began developing their awareness about youth-led movements and the climate crisis. They also took a leading role during the NYC Climate Strike in September with over 100 GK Leaders from various schools attending. One GK youth leader expressed that she had never had the opportunity to attend a march or a protest prior to moving to NYC and joining Global Kids. Since the Climate Strike she has attended every GK activity and has been encouraging her peers to enroll in programming as well. Charlie Engle and Bryan Ingram, co-founders of the environmentally conscious tech-startup green.org, spoke to 15 our students about some of the eco challenges facing our world and how technology can be harnessed for the greater good.
COLLEGE and CAREER
Four GK seniors made it to the final round for POSSE scholarships with another 16 GK leaders invited to attend "POSSE Prep sessions" to help them prepare for each round of the college application process. Two of our students were selected and will be attending DePauw and Connecticut College.
Additionally, Global Kids hosted a college application party and a FAFSA party at the office headquarters. Volunteers from Gemini, WeWork, Hugoboss, the Department of Education, Baruch College and more hosted over 25 students to get their applications and financial forms together to apply.
COP25
Eight of our Global Kids Youth Leaders were able to attend and participate in COP25 this year in Madrid, Spain. While there, the youth attended COP side events -Ecological and Renewable Energy Transition In The Belt & Road Event (peace boat presented in this event), Indigenous Women: Frontline Defenders in the Fight Against Climate Change, and Friday for future events. Two students were invited to speak about their experiences with climate change at Youth Empowerment for Ocean and Climate Action - MOANA Blue Pacific Pavilion. Students were interviewed at COP 25 by bbc news. Outside of attending COP events, youth were able to explore the town of Toledo, Spain, Plaza Mayor and visit el Palacio Nacional de Madrid. They attended a NYU class in Madrid and met with students who were studying abroad.
COLOMBIA TRAVEL TALK-BACK
On October 23rd, Global Kids Leaders highlighted their experiences and the impact of their leadership trip to Colombia for their peers, families, community partners and GK-DC supporters. We welcomed 50 guests to a showcase event where youth screened a short video/photography, held interactive presentation-style stations to discuss food, culture, and art, as well as enjoy Colombian food. The event’s main program included a question/answer panel with three of the youth who traveled to Colombia. As is the case every year, the evening was informative, inspiring, motivating and fun for all guests who attended.
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