Global kids

globalkids.org

Global Kids has been around since 1989 and has existed as a not for profit organization since 1993. Their mission is to educate and inspire youth residing in urban areas and equip them with the knowledge and skills to become successful students, global citizens, and community leaders. Since its inception, Global Kids has been committed to meeting the needs of youth in under-resourced schools and neighborhoods in New York City. What Global Kids does is provide school-based and after school leadership development, academic enrichment, and digital media programs that educate youth about important global and public policy issues and inspire them to take action.

Global Kids’ core program is the Power of Citizenry Leadership Program. They consider this their flagship program because of the number of youth that they are able to reach through it, as well as its overarching focus on international affairs education, civic engagement and academic skill-building. Every year, over 500 kids participate in the program and become youth leaders. The program helps them develop leadership skills, increased knowledge regarding global issues, and they are also exposed to higher learning and career opportunities. Through interactive and experiential activities, youth learn how to research issues of concern to them and work collaboratively with their peers to create solutions. These leaders then go on to organize conferences, lead workshops in their classrooms, create media projects, and develop public awareness campaigns to share what they have learned and to help effect change in their communities.

The Power of Citizenry Leadership Program is carried out through weekly after school sessions which consist of workshops that focus on areas such as diversity, international affairs, conflict resolution and problem solving. The sessions are meant to be fun for the kids as well as informative. There is a good deal of role playing, there are games played, field trips, and guest speakers that come and talk to these future leaders. They are provided with great resources and information as well as the knowledge that they are capable of doing anything that they put their minds to. Just knowing that they have opportunities to look forward can make all the difference.

There are many other important programs that are made available by Global Kids, such as the Online Leadership Program, the Human Rights Activist Project, the Undesirable Elements theater project, and travel programs that offer youth the opportunity to travel not only in the United States, but other parts of the world. They can visit culturally significant and historic sites, hear from well respected international speakers, and meet with other youth organizations as well. The organization is doing some really great things for youth today. To learn more about them and help support their programs, visit their website at http://globalkids.org/ and find out what else they are doing to prepare the next generation of leaders.