Westbury, NY, March 15, 2002 - In a focused effort to enhance the academic achievement of motivated yet economically disadvantaged students, the MPowering Kids program was established today in the Westbury, Long Island school district. The goal of the non-profit program is to provide after-school mentoring, tutoring and cultural enrichment programs to students on both a one-on-one and group basis, preparing them for college and beyond.

The MPowering Kids program will provide its services to academically promising students beginning in the fourth grade. Once accepted into the program, students will work with the MPowering Kids staff and volunteers for the next nine years, through their high school graduation. This multi-year process is designed to create a culture of achievement, characterized by high academic and behavioral standards, complemented by a warm and caring support team.

Each spring, students who are completing the third grade may apply for admission to the MPowering Kids program. During the summer between their third and fourth grades, students attend six mandatory sessions, which are a mix of academic and recreational activities. Students who successfully complete the summer program and meet the program's requirements are invited to join MPowering Kids on a year-round basis at the beginning of the fourth grade.

Promising Help to Promising Students

"Our goal is to provide our services to promising students who live in underserved communities," said Susan Marshall, founder and president of MPowering Kids. "After researching where a program such as MPowering Kids would have the most impact, we selected the Westbury, Long Island school district, where we will be working closely with the Drexel Avenue School in Westbury to implement this program in time for the summer break."

About MPowering Kids
MPowering Kids (www.mpoweringkids.org) is a non-profit charitable organization that provides after-school tutoring, mentoring, cultural enrichment, and community service programs for motivated students in under-served communities. The MPowering Kids staff and volunteers work closely with students from their fourth grade year through their high school graduation, offering nine years of programs and opportunities to acquire the skills, habits and attitudes necessary to succeed in college and in life. 

The MPowering Kids program is made possible through the generous support of individual and corporate sponsors. For additional information about MPowering Kids, please click on the About Us section or click on the Donations page to help support MPowering Kids.

Return to News