April 2008
Small Businesses Give Back to NYC Schools
Welcome to the April edition of Keeping It Going, the official e-newsletter of The Fund for Public Schools.
New York City is home to over 200,000 small businesses. Each April, Small Business Awareness Week (April 21-25, 2008) recognizes the tremendous contributions these merchants make to our economy, and the impact they make when they give back to the communities they serve.
An important way for local merchants to invest in their neighborhoods is by getting involved with New York City public schools. This month, we profile a Manhattan retailer that knows first-hand the benefits of partnering with public school students.
Small businesses have much to offer our students—important lessons about personal responsibility, career choices, and the value of hard work. At the same time, these businesses can help shape the future of the city’s workforce and clearly demonstrate the skills and training needed to ensure success for a new generation of New Yorkers. Businesses can also gain valuable exposure in their community by working with a public school toward a shared goal.
Small businesses are vital to keeping New York City a great place to live, work, and raise a family. And when small businesses realize the power of their investment in the public schools, everyone truly shares the rewards.
How to Keep It Going in April
There are many ways to get involved with New York City's public schools this month-- whether you're a pitcher, a poet, or something in between! As always, if you know of a great volunteer opportunity not listed here, email us at: info@fundforpublicschools.org.
Batter Up!
 Volunteer with Harlem RBI as a coach or as an academic tutor! Harlem RBI's mission is to use baseball, softball, and the power of teams to provide inner-city youth with opportunities to play, to learn, and to grow, inspiring them to recognize their potential and realize their dreams. Volunteer coaches work with youths ages 7-18 in practices and games, and serve as positive role models. Tutors work with Harlem RBI high school students at a variety of locations to improve their skills in a specific subject area. On or off the field, Harlem RBI is a great way for you to get involved with New York City students this spring. For more information, please contact Harlem RBI at (212) 722-1608, or visit their website at www.harlemrbi.org.
100 Hours of Power
 Help paint school murals, buildings and surrounding neighborhoods in April! City Year New York mobilizes thousands of New Yorkers to beautify our city through community service projects. City Year is hosting their second annual "100 Hours of Power," an initiative that will engage hundreds of volunteers in 100 consecutive hours of non-stop community service. On April 21, volunteers will be at P.S. 126 at 80 Catherine Street (map) from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The volunteering continues at P.S. 50, located at 433 East 100th Street (map), on April 23 from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. To volunteer during one of these shifts or for more information about City Year New York, please call (646) 452-3634, or email eestrada08@cityyear.org.
Poem In Your Pocket Day
 Share your love for poetry with public school students. April is National Poetry Month, and on April 17th, volunteers will be reading poetry in public school classrooms all over the city throughout the day, culminating in a public open-mic session in Bryant Park! Poetry can be a creative and powerful tool to increase literacy and allow children and adults alike to express themselves. If you have a passion for poetry and would like to volunteer to read to students in school, click here to register. Otherwise, simply come out and show your support in Bryant Park on April 17th, from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Are You On Our E-Mail List?
Stay informed about the exciting things happening in our public schools, and learn what you can do to get involved. Add yourself to our mailing list, and each month you'll receive your own copy of Keeping It Going delivered right to your inbox! Simply click here. |
Shaping The Future
Local Merchant Pitches In
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Soutine Bakery may be a small shop on a quiet West Side street, but it has made a tremendous impact on the lives of New York City public school students.
For more than 25 years, owner Madge Rosenberg has been churning out delicious and artful cakes, pies, and pastries. But she has also been creating new opportunities for public school students.
Rosenberg, who began the business with her late husband, has always taken her role in the community seriously. “My husband always felt that public schools needed our help, and that the community should be out there helping them,” she says.
Madge hires public school students to work for several hours each week behind the counter or in the kitchen. Some want to become bakers and chefs, but Rosenberg sees value in the experience for all students. “These are skills you can use in other fields,” she says. “It’s more than just baking and measuring—here they learn responsibility, reliability, how to treat people nicely.”
Rosenberg witnesses first-hand the transformations some students make while working at the bakery. “When they start, the students are afraid to touch anything!” she says. “But then they try, and if they make a mistake, they see it isn’t the worst thing in the world.” She adds that students working at the bakery might discover talents they never knew they had. Students also gain important math skills as they calculate measurements for her delicious baked goods.
“Working here is hands-on, and the skills stick in your head,” she says.
Not only does Madge provide great work experience for students, she also supports public school libraries through The Fund's Shop for Class program.
Now in its fourth year, Shop for Class offers all New Yorkers a chance to play a hands-on role in raising needed funds for our schools. Each fall, merchants agree to donate either a percentage of sales or a flat fee to The Fund for Public Schools, with proceeds going to support Library REACH grants. Since 2004, participants have included retailers of all sizes—from Macy’s Herald Square to Tribeca Treats. Underwritten by American Express, Shop for Class has funded critical upgrades for public school libraries that serve over 150,000 students.
New York City’s 1.1 million public school students depend on support from everyone—their teachers and principals, elected officials, and everyday New Yorkers. By providing students with valuable real-world experience, small business owners like Madge Rosenberg are doing their part to build on the progress our schools make every day. |
