Pittsburgh Promise receives gift from First Community Group
National Council of Jewish Women in Pittsburgh
Becomes First Community Group to Join ‘Committee of 100’
PITTSBURGH, December 15, 2009 – The Pittsburgh Section of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) has become the first non-foundation, non-profit community group to contribute to the Pittsburgh Promise Scholarship Fund. In addition, NCJW is the first community group to join the recently announced Committee of 100, a group of local leaders seeking to raise funds and support from influential business leaders for the educational initiative.
In a move consistent with its history of supporting public education in the City of Pittsburgh, NCJW has given its support to the Pittsburgh Promise through a $10,000 contribution to the scholarship fund as a symbol of the organization’s commitment to furthering academic achievement for young people.
NCJW’s gift continues its 116-year-old mission of community involvement in supporting local education advancement efforts. NCJW established the first free kindergarten in Pittsburgh in 1894; in 1911, they created the first “penny lunch” program in the city schools; and in 1963, NCJW collaborated with the Pittsburgh Board of Education to create the nation’s first Headstart program, funded by the Ford Foundation and the Federal Government.
“We are very pleased to support The Pittsburgh Promise and to be a part of its Committee of 100,” said Susan L. Nitzberg, President of the National Council of Jewish Women, Pittsburgh Section. “We look forward to leading by example and playing an active role in advocating for other leaders in business and the non-profit community to support this scholarship opportunity as a means for improving the region’s long-term outlook and performance.”
“The decision by NCJW to support The Pittsburgh Promise is an important indication that social service organizations in our region see the value of advancing the prospects of our young people for the benefit of the entire region,” said Saleem Ghubril, Executive Director of The Pittsburgh Promise. “We are grateful to be their continued commitment to strengthening public education programs,” added Ghubril.
The primary purpose of The Pittsburgh Promise is to help strengthen the economic future of our community, the quality of urban public school education and the future workforce for the region.
About National Council Jewish Women Pittsburgh Section
The National Council of Jewish Women Pittsburgh Section (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for all women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. NCJW’s nonsectarian community service projects including: Suit Yourself Voucher Program which provides free business clothes to low-income individuals re-entering the workforce, Children’s Rooms in the Courts which are safe, fun environments for young children while their parents/caregivers tend to family court matters, Silent Witness Initiative that raises awareness of domestic violence, Pic-A-Bag which provides essential supplies to children who are removed from their homes and Batch Packs (with support from Steeler Charlie Batch) which provides new school supplies to children in need. The Pittsburgh section of NCJW was established in 1893. For more information on NCJW Pittsburgh Section, please visit www.ncjwpgh.org or call 412-421-6118.
About The Pittsburgh Promise
The Pittsburgh Promise program was established at The Pittsburgh Foundation in December 2007 with a $100 million commitment from UPMC, including $20 million to support city school graduates from the classes of 2008 and 2009. The remaining $80 million is a challenge grant ($10 million a year for eight years), intended to spur support and contributions from all sections of the community to raise an additional $120 million ($15 million annually for eight years). The region’s foundation community has also made various multi-year commitments to support this scholarship fund as a key regional economic development initiative.
Contact:
John Ellis Jennifer Honig
The Pittsburgh Promise NCJW Pittsburgh Section
412-394-2647 412-977-7703
ellisj@pghfdn.org pr@ncjwpgh.org