Westbury, NY, August 14, 2003 – MPowering Kids, a non-profit organization that provides tutoring and mentoring programs to motivated students in under-served communities, announced today that it has received a generous grant from the Harnisch Family Foundation, a longtime supporter of educational programs. 

''We believe that if people knew better, they'd do better,'' said Ruth Ann Harnisch, founder and president of The Harnisch Family Foundation. “The MPowering Kids program is designed to guide students from the fourth grade through high school graduation. We believe that ongoing education, support and guidance will help them develop the skills they need to be successful in life. This grant is designed to help the MPowering Kids organization identify and develop relationships with powerful donors who will want to partner with them in this important work.”

Now entering its second year, the MPowering Kids after-school program is designed to bolster academic achievement and provide college preparation for promising students in economically disadvantaged communities. Participating students attend the MPowering Kids after-school program three days each week. The program supplements traditional school-day curriculum and instruction by offering activities that stress skill acquisition, problem solving, and nurturing relations with caring adults.

“Nothing is more important to not-for-profit organizations than developing financial sustainability, and that can’t happen without continually educating your donors” said Ruth Ann Harnisch. “It’s important that other donors and foundations understand the positive impact that their participation has on programs like MPowering Kids, and in turn, the effect on these promising students. “

According to a recently published study, Multiple Choices After School, there is strong evidence that “particularly in low income communities, high-quality after-school programs are an effective, affordable way to keep children safe and out of trouble, improve family relationships, and improve students’ attitudes and behaviors in school”.

“We are very pleased and honored that The Harnisch Family Foundation has chosen to support MPowering Kids,” said Susan Marshall, founder and president of MPowering Kids. “The funding from sponsors such as The Harnisch Family Foundation enables us to help our students acquire the skills, habits, and attitudes necessary to succeed in college and in life.” 

About MPowering Kids

MPowering Kids (www.mpoweringkids.org) is a non-profit charitable organization that is “promising help for promising students”™ with after-school programs focused on tutoring, mentoring, and cultural enrichment 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.

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