BK Story Voyager receives grant
A decade ago St. Nicks Alliance asked the question, “How can we fulfill an unmet need in local literacy?” The BK Story Voyager was the answer. After its launch in early 2016, this purple mobile library and its activities to inspire a love of reading raised literacy rates in schools with St. Nicks Alliance after school to above the Brooklyn Community School District 14 average. The BK Story Voyager received initial funding by being a winning project in 2014’s Participatory Budgeting.
The Guru Krupa Foundation (GKF) supports causes related to the acquisition of knowledge. In 2019 the BK Story Voyager’s mission caught GKF’s eye and has since become the literacy champion’s major funder. In October 2024, GKF renewed their annual grant of $75,000, which will continue to fuel the mobile library as it travels to an expanded roster of 20 elementary after-school centers and holiday camps as well as twelve summer camps. Plus this fall, St. Nicks Alliance has added four after-school sites from New York State’s new LEAPS (Learning and Enrichment After-school Program Support).
“One of the basic principles of the Guru Krupa Foundation is to foster a brighter future by empowering young minds. That’s why we’re extremely happy to renew our support of St. Nicks Alliance’s BK Story Voyager. Seeing the joy on the faces of children when the mobile library arrives at their schools is truly heartwarming. The mission of educational equity aligns perfectly with our own priorities, and we’re happy to provide our sixth year of support for this vital program,” said Mukund Padmanabhan, president of Guru Krupa Foundation.
The BK Story Voyager’s mission has become even more crucial after the learning loss caused by the COVID 19 pandemic. St. Nicks Alliance incorporates NYC Public Schools’ vision for literacy, called NYC Reads with their school success model that joyfully and creatively engages youth in culturally responsive literary works.
“The BK Story Voyager is an invaluable asset for the children and families of North Brooklyn. Guru Krupa Foundation is fueling BK Story Voyager’s travels to 20 public schools for literacy lessons, book borrowing and book giveaways for thousands of children. We are immensely grateful for their steadfast support,” said Debra Sue Lorenzen, director of St. Nicks Alliance Youth and Education.
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