About Us

MPowering Kids is an after-school program providing tutoring, homework help, cultural enrichment, and community service programs for motivated students in under-served communities.  We follow the students from 4th grade through high school graduation, and focus on academics, cultural enrichment, and community service to help prepare them for college and a productive life.

Federal studies show that after-school programs have a direct impact on students’ academic achievements, as well as their ability to avoid gangs, teenage pregnancy, and being a victim of crime.

MPowering Kids serves promising, yet economically disadvantaged, students that do not have access to after-school programs that enhance educational learning.

MPowering Kids students have outperformed their peers on standardized tests have achieved major academic gains.  Read More About MPowering Kids' Academic Gains.

 

“MPowering Kids is a tremendous help to me and my family. Because Spanish is my first language, I don’t always know the meaning of the homework and cannot help my son academically as much as the people at MPowering Kids. I think MPowering Kids is a great program and a wonderful opportunity for my child.”   Mother of 5th grade MPowering Kids student

During the third grade year, MPowering Kids selects promising students who come from economically disadvantaged families to apply to the MPowering Kids program.  All of our students are on the Free/Reduced Lunch program, because their family income falls below the federal poverty level.

Each year a new class of 12-16 fourth graders is added. The majority of students come from Latino backgrounds, with other cultures such as Haitian, African-American and Indian backgrounds also represented. Many of the students come from homes where English is a second language, therefore making it difficult to receive homework help from their parents.

All of the children who participate in the program are considered “at risk” due to income levels and exposure to gangs, drugs and teen pregnancy during their school years. However, each student has demonstrated strong academic potential, sincere motivation, and a commitment to participate in the nine-year program.

About our Staff: MPowering Kids uses a small paid staff to create the curriculum, teach the students, recruit, train and organize a team of volunteers and keep the program running. In addition to our paid staff, we rely on community volunteers to keep our overhead costs low and service level high.  Our staff brings commitment, caring, plus the highest degree of knowledge and professionalism available. When you read the bios of our key staff, we're sure you'll agree.

Devorah Crupar (nee Weinmann)- Executive Director
As the Executive Director, Devorah oversees the operations of MPowering Kids. Devorah works closely with the local community, corporations, foundations, legislators, community volunteers and supporters that are the life-blood of MPowering Kids. In addition, Devorah manages all areas of MPowering Kids Development including grant writing, event planning and community awareness.

Ms. Crupar is a graduate of Adelphi University. She brings to MPowering Kids a unique set of skills acquired during her career in corporate (finance), nonprofit, special and alternative education settings, including the Ethical Humanist Society, Bethany House of Nassau County, (SPLASH) Stop Littering, Polluting and Save Harbors, BOCES, United Cerebral Palsy of Nassau, Creedmoor State Hospital, (ALLPIE) Alliance for Parental Involvement in Education and (LIGHT) Long Islanders Growing at Home Together.

As a sum total of her experiences, Devorah brings a strength and expertise in finance, education and nonprofit management and has utilized these skills over her career to effect positive social change.
 

Elizabeth (Liz) Moglia Jackson - Director of Programs
Liz joins MPowering Kids with a wealth of unique skills and experience that add incredible value to the program and the participants. As the Director of Programs, Liz's responsibilities include overseeing both the development of the program and the after-school curriculum that complements the classroom learning.  Liz works directly with the students, as well as the teachers, guidance counselors and school administration to provide personalized attention and support for each student.

Prior to joining MPowering Kids, Liz was a consultant and producer at Children’s PressLine, an after-school journalism program for 8-18 year-olds. Previously, Liz produced an award-winning, educational children’s radio show, " New York Kids" on WNYC Public Radio. During her tenure at New York Kids, Liz developed curriculum guides, helped create the show’s corresponding instructional web site, and taught weekly workshops in schools throughout the five boroughs of New York City. Liz was a museum educator at the Museum of Television & Radio where she taught media history classes to groups of all ages earlier in her career. Liz received her Masters in Communication from New York University’s Graduate School of Education and her B.A. in English and sociology from Bucknell University.

Arezo Rahmani - Academic and Community Affairs Manager

Arezo works directly with the middle school students where MPowering Kids provides an emphasis on life skills, group learning and tutoring as well as pure homework help. Arezo also works with teachers and parents to keep abreast of each student’s performance and to keep the curriculum fresh and new.  One of many of Arezo's responsibilities includes the recruitment, screening, and training of volunteers and guest speakers for MPowering Kids.  

Arezo earned her MSW degree from New York University’s School of Social Work. She has a B.A. from Queens College. Arezo was an Associate Manager for the Big Brothers Big Sisters after-school program and also worked as a Social Worker for the Children’s Aid Society.

Nicole Kimble - Academic Site Coordinator, Elementary School

Nicole teaches the elementary school curriculum. She meets with teachers regularly and uses the information to edit and keep the curriculum up to date. Nicole also makes sure our students are performing up to par and meets with parents. Nicole is committed to “making learning fun,” for all her students. Nicole is a certified teacher from the State of New Jersey and has worked extensively with students from pre-kindergarten to fifth grade. She has supervised after-school programs at the YWCA and Paramus Public Schools. She has a B.S. Degree in Social Work from Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.

Find out more about the people behind our organization that volunteer their time to make MPowering Kids the best we can be!

Our Board of Directors is made up of philanthriopic, community and corporate leaders that are dedicated to making a difference in the world; BOARD OF DIRECTORS.   If you have an interest in making a difference by serving on the MPowering Kids Board of Directors, please email info@mpoweringkids.org

MPowering Kids' ADVISORY BOARD is made up of top education and social/behavioral experts in the country.  Their involvement assures that MPowering Kids is constantly bringing the top services to our students and addressing the needs of the "whole" child in terms of the pressures they are facing at home and at school.

The team of VOLUNTEERS that work with the MPowering Kids students creates one of the most special bonds for the students.  The one-on-one tutoring and mentoring provided by the volunteers was one of the favorite things mentioned about MPowering Kids in a student survey.  By helping a student learn, you are empowering their mind and creating a strong, self-confident child.  What a gift!  Check out some of our the profiles of some of our volunteers and how easy it is to sign up for just a few hours a week or for a special event. Volunteer Profiles

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