Today, the NBC and Telemundo New York television stations, WNBC 4 and WNJU Telemundo 47 respectively, awarded $400,000 in grants from the NBC Universal Foundation to seven non-profit organizations in the tri-state area that work directly with middle and high school students.WNBC education reporter Carol Anne Riddell and WNJU anchor Jorge Ramos hosted the check presentation ceremony at the WNBC studios at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Dennis Walcott, NYC Deputy Mayor for Education and Community Development, attended the event and recognized the positive work that the organizations and stations offer to the community.
“WNBC and WNJU have a strong and ongoing commitment to serving our diverse community,” said Tom O’Brien, president and general manager of WNBC. “These grants will help make a difference in the work these seven organizations are able to accomplish, and more importantly, offer unique opportunities that will positively impact the future of the young people they reach.”
“Promoting quality education and learning opportunities is a major priority for our stations,” said President and General Manager of Telemundo 47 Carlos Sanchez. “Working together we can make a positive difference in the lives of these young people through our financial support and volunteer efforts.”
The grants continue NBC Universal’s on-going commitment to improving secondary education in underserved communities. The NBC Universal Foundation has awarded $1.2MM in grants this year to be distributed among 29 non-profit organizations in Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and Washington, D.C.
This is the third year of funding for the initiative, which targets cities with large NBC Universal employee populations and significant educational needs. Employees of NBC Universal and parent company General Electric have been actively involved with this effort and will again have the opportunity to show their support by volunteering as mentors and tutors.
This year’s grant recipients were selected based on the impact their programs will have in improving educational opportunities for 6th through 12th grade students. The funding will support a wide range of programs including career counseling, college test preparation, digital literacy development and increased cultural awareness.
The seven non-profit New York area organizations that receive grants from the NBC Universal Foundation are:
* Abyssinian Development Corporation (http://www.adcorp.org) helps underserved students in Harlem prepare for their transition into middle and high school.
* Asian Professional Extension (APEX) (http://www.apex-ny.org) provides role models, educational programs, social services and career guidance for Asian American youth.
* ASPIRA of New Jersey (http://www.aspiranj.org) and ASPIRA of New York (http://www.nyaspira.org) seek to address the high dropout rate among urban Latino students through youth development and leadership programs geared towards self-esteem, critical thinking skills, new opportunities and role models.
* Let’s Get Ready (http://www.letsgetready.org) mobilizes, equips and empowers a movement of college students to help prepare high school students to get into college.
* ThinkQuest NYC (http://www.tqnyc.org) increases students’ technical and multi-media literacy by engaging their natural curiosity with project-based learning and technology.
* Young Women’s Leadership Foundation (http://www.ywlfoundation.org) creates college guidance programs that raise expectations, increase performance and inspire leadership.
Susan Kiel / 212-664-6372, Susan.Kiel@nbcuni.com
Jacqueline Candia / 212-664-7117, Jacqueline.Candia@nbcuni.com
Photo captian: (left – right) Hugo Balta, WNJU; Lauri Novick, Lets Get Ready; Kathleen Ponze, Young Women’s Leadership Foundation; Kima Reed, Abyssinian Development Corporation; Barbara Coldwell, ThinkQuestNYC; Carlos Valentin, ASPIRA NJ; Hector Gesualdo, ASPIRA NY; Carlos Sanchez, President WNJU; Kristy Nguyen, APEX; Jorge Ramos, WNJU and Carol Anne Riddell.
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