Invest in Students, Not Handbags.

NEW YORK CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS SHOW OFF BUSINESS SKILLS

Nonprofit Partners with Local Business Volunteers to Teach Kids

New York, NY - In a time when much of our nation's resources are directed at finding new solutions for an ailing economy, volunteers from New York businesses such as From Scratch, Spoon & Fork, W Magazine and Bank of America are working with Citizen Schools, a nonprofit organization that operates a national network of apprenticeship programs, to train the next generation on how to make a business thrive.

From this program came Project 116, created and taught by From Scratch Product Designer Shien-Ru Tsao and Spoon & Fork Creative Director, Chez Bryan Ong. The 11-week apprenticeship engaged students in hands-on learning that makes a direct connection to students' lives and is often missing from today's classroom. Students working with Shien-Ru and Bryan formed three companies- NARUTO, HARLEM X and T.L.L.J.- and each company has designed a set of fashionable, eco -friendly tote bags.

On December 4th, at the WOW! event, these students will unveil their tote bags and employ their recently-learned marketing and sales techniques to encourage attendees to vote for their favorite designs. The three designs that get the most votes will be produced and sold online. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to Citizens Schools to support more hands-on learning projects for eager middle school students!

To RSVP for the WOW! event and meet the students and teachers, email wownyc@citizenschools.org and indicate "Project 116" in the subject line. Contact kate@kickpr.com for further information on the programs.