On Wednesday, August 18, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz joined the Brooklyn NAACP, the Department of Education, WNET.org and other supporters for the annual kick-off of the Back-to-School/Stay-in-School event at Borough Hall. More than 2,000 New York City public school students will receive free backpacks filled with essential school supplies.

“Brooklyn Borough Hall is very proud to be a drop-off location again this year for the Back-to-School/Stay-in-School backpack program, which has grown tremendously from 500 backpacks in the first year, 2006, to more than 2,000 expected this year,” said BP Markowitz. “The NAACP, WNET and all of their partners go to the ‘head of the class’ for supplying our children with backpacks filled with essential back-to-school supplies—because education is key and we all believe in giving our city’s kids the tools they need to succeed.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BROOKLYN NAACP AND PARTNERS TO HELP
MORE THAN 2,000 OF CITY’S NEEDIEST STUDENTS

Brooklyn, NY, August 16, 2010 — The Brooklyn NAACP and partners are continuing a 26-year tradition with kick-off of the annual Back-to-School/Stay-in-School event.  With the theme “REACH - Reaching Educational Achievement by Completing High School,” more than 2,000 of New York City’s neediest public school students will receive free backpacks filled with essential school supplies. 

The Back-to-School/Stay-in-School event will commence with a press conference, followed by a rally and distribution of the backpacks.  It will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 18, at Brooklyn Borough Hall.  The event is being organized by the Brooklyn NAACP, the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President, the New York City Department of Education, and WNET.ORG.  Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Brooklyn NAACP President Karen Boykin-Towns will be among the public officials present to welcome the students.

The Back-to-School/Stay-in-School event is a 26-year tradition of the NAACP, which has been promoting equal educational opportunities for all for more than 101 years.  Initiated in 1984, the program is designed to help poor and at-risk students, many of whom live in shelters.  It provides critical supports, such as mentoring and after school educational activities, to motivate and place students on a path of academic achievement.  In addition, the program helps to facilitate greater involvement of parents in the education of their children, which is important to build confidence and stimulate learning. 

According to Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, “Brooklyn Borough Hall is very proud to be a drop-off location again this year for the Back-to-School/Stay-in-School backpack program, which has grown tremendously from 500 backpacks in the first year, 2006, to more than 2,000 expected this year. The NAACP, WNET and all of their partners go to the ‘head of the class’ for supplying our children with backpacks filled with essential back-to-school supplies—because education is key and we all believe in giving our city’s kids the tools they need to succeed.”

Brooklyn NAACP President Karen Boykin-Towns expressed similar sentiments. “No matter how tough the economy, providing educational resources to our children is a priority of the Brooklyn NAACP. We are grateful for the critical support of our partners in helping us provide vital school supplies, so our students can start the new school year motivated, ready and equipped to excel.” 

Among beneficiaries of the Back-to-School/Stay-in-School Program are the Graham Windham and HeartShare agencies.  Both organizations provide a range of resources to poor children and families, including foster care and adoption services. 

WNET.ORG, a leader in creation of dynamic media resources for children, is partnering with the Brooklyn NAACP for the second year.  Other important sponsors include Rev. Agnes Blackmon, Brooklyn Public Library, DELBAC, Inc., Entergy, G&B Foundation, National Grid, NIA Community Services Network, Pratt Institute America Reads/Counts, Rent-A-Center, Mary C. Richmond, Verizon, and Walgreens.  The Brooklyn NAACP can be accessed at www.brooklynnaacp.org.