Berkowitz Student Committee Awards Grant to REACH

The Berkowitz Student Committee held their annual Morning Ex to announce the selection of REACH (Refugee Education & Adventure CHallenge) to receive a grant for their work welcoming and assisting youth refugees as they settle in Chicago.

The Susan F. Berkowitz Award for Outstanding Service to Children recognizes individuals whose work builds hope and optimism in children, strengthening the bonds between family, school and community. Such work demonstrates the commitment and imagination necessary to ensure conditions that support the positive growth, development and education of children. Each year, the Berkowitz Award process provides hands-on experience with philanthropy as students use Parker’s resources to help those in need, providing a $10,000 grant to a Chicago organization that builds hope and optimism in children.

Berkowitz Committee Heads seniors Benjamin Graines and Phoebe Josephson and junior Malea Caplan opened the Morning Ex by describing the committee’s year-long process before selecting a winner, beginning with brainstorming to identify a particular theme for that year that directly affects Chicago’s youth. They then researched organizations that fit the theme and contacted them, encouraging them to apply for the award. The committee reviewed all the applications, comparing their goals, sizes, funds they receive and locations to narrow down the list to three or four finalists. After interviewing the finalists, the committee had the difficult task of choosing a winner.

At the Morning Ex, REACH founder Shana Wills and Peer Mentors Wagdi Abdelmouli and Lina Al Maeeni were on hand to receive the award and thank the committee for all their hard work. They shared the story of REACH and its mission “to inspire leadership, academic success and connections among refugee youth through active dynamic learning outside the traditional classroom.” They said the funding from this award will help increase and develop their summer programming.

Join Parker in congratulating REACH and the students who worked so tirelessly this year to find such a capable, deserving organization!

Click here for photos of this Morning Ex.