NEW YORK, Dec. 29, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Kids -- the premiere non-profit organization in New York City that teaches underserved high school students about international issues and civic engagement -- will recognize two giants in their fields at its Winter Benefit on January 14.
Vincent Mai, chairman of AEA Investors, one of the nation's oldest private equity firms, will receive the Distinguished Global Citizen Award. Tiki Barber, the former New York Giants star running back, now broadcasting for NBC, will be the Special Honored Guest.
"Vincent Mai and Tiki Barber have gone well beyond their professional success to dedicate their lives to the same ideals as Global Kids," said Carole Artigiani, founder and executive director of Global Kids. "Both Vincent and Tiki have, in many ways, taken initiatives to improve the lives of young people around the world, no matter their background, and to make them into true global citizens. We are proud to recognize them at our Annual Benefit."
The Global Kids Winter Benefit will be held on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at the Council on Foreign Relations (58 East 68th Street in Manhattan) from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The press is invited to attend.
A brief presentation at 7:15 will include remarks by both honorees as well as youth participants in Global Kids' leadership programs.
Individual tickets cost $250 and can be purchased on the Global Kids website (www.globalkids.org). Anyone interested in attending, making a donation or receiving further information about Global Kids should contact Jessica Schulberg at (212) 226-1030 x 128, or e-mail her at jschulberg@globalkids.org.
Proceeds from the evening will be used to support Global Kids, which, for two decades, has been educating and inspiring urban youth to become successful students and global and community leaders by engaging them in socially dynamic, content-rich learning experiences.
* Mr. Mai was the first Chairman of the International Center for
Transitional Justice (ICTJ) when it was founded six years ago.
ICTJ supports countries emerging from repressive rule, as well
as countries with established democracies where historical
injustices or systemic abuse remain unresolved. In addition,
Mr. Mai is currently chairman of the Board of Sesame Workshop
and serves on the board of Juilliard School and the University
of Cape Town Fund.
Mr. Mai's human rights activities also include serving as
Chairman of the Africa Advisory Committee of Human Rights Watch
and on the Advisory Board of the International Rescue Committee.
Mr. Mai is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and was
on the Council's Board of Directors for six years.
* Mr. Barber is the all-time leading rusher for the New York
Giants. However, his impact on society has stretched well
beyond the playing field where he has been actively involved in
many civic and charitable organizations dedicated to young
people. He created Tiki Barber's 21 Club, which supports the
Children's Miracle Network. He has also devoted much of his time
and energy, even while an active player, to the Ronald McDonald
House, Fresh Air Fund, My Sister's Place, and Read Across
America.
Global Kids reaches more than 17,000 youth -- the vast majority of whom come from underserved communities -- through leadership programs at 14 New York City public high schools, and its citywide program. The organization is also the co-founder and community partner for a leading public high school in Brooklyn. Now in its fifth year, the High School for Global Citizenship offers a rigorous international affairs-based curriculum, and it has been cited by the NYC Department of Education as a model for students seeking an alternative to large high schools.
Global Kids also provides innovative programming to more young people through the Online Leadership Program, which brings the Global Kids curriculum to more than one million youth through youth-led online projects. In addition, Global Kids has partnered with the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development to produce Teen Action, a service-learning curriculum that brings the organization's methodology and content to over 60 sites citywide.
To enrich and extend its programming, Global Kids has collaborative relationships with the Council on Foreign Relations, the New York City Department of Education, the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development, The After School Corporation, UNICEF, United Way of New York City, New Visions for Public Schools, Youth Venture and Ping Chong Theatre Company among others.
Global Kids, Inc. (www.globalkids.org): Founded in 1989 and an independent nonprofit since 1993, Global Kids educates and inspires urban youth to become successful students and global and community leaders by engaging them in socially dynamic, content-rich learning experiences. Through its leadership development and academic enrichment programs, Global Kids educates youth about critical international and domestic issues and promotes their engagement in civic life and the democratic process. Through professional development initiatives, Global Kids provides educators with strategies for integrating experiential learning methods and international issues into urban classrooms. Over ninety percent of the high school seniors who participate in Global Kids' leadership program graduate from high school.
The Global Kids, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4850