At the March 29th meeting Jeremy Jerschina spoke to us about his non-profit, New City Kids. The organization seeks to break the cycle of poverty by intervening with kids as early as the 1st Grade. New City Kids offers after school programming for local low-income youth. Children and teens get a chance to explore music and academics in a creative and fun environment. Though there are many challenges of urban life, especially for youth, these programs give children a safe place to feel and hear that they are valued and loved. New City Kids aims to draw children into hope by developing in them skills, talents, and desires for their future. By surrounding them with a community of love and development, we strive to set youth on a path of transformation that will carry them forward for the rest of their lives.
For the last nine years, 100% of New City Kids’ high school graduates have gone to college, breaking the cycle of poverty in their communities and bringing holistic change in their lives.
Tyler Wharton is a Life Scout with Troop 309 in Wyckoff. Tyler is working on his Eagle Rank. To earn Eagle a Scout must complete a minimum of 21Merit Badges (11 required), serve in Leadership Positions, do Community Service, and manage a complex Service Project. Tyler spoke to the Club last week about his project.
Tyler has chosen to help the Township of Wyckoff and its bat population. Over the course 12 years the disease known as white-nose syndrome has endangered many bat species throughout the northeast including our town's bat population. Tyler is making a total of 6 bat-houses to which will be installed in various locations in Wyckoff; in hopes that these houses will help combat this issue by providing a safe space for bats to mate in the summer.
Tyler needs $300 to fund this project. The Club is making a contribution. If any Rotarian wants to help Tyler, contact Andy Garlick.
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VIP Visitor
We had a VIP visitor at our March 29th Meeting. Zina Andrianarivelo is the Permanent Representative of Madagascar to the United Nations since 2002. He was Ambassador to the United States, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund from 1999 to 2002. He and Paul Platek go to the same Church, and recognized each other as Rotarians as each were wearing their Paul Harris pins. Zina is a member of the Rotary, and promises to come back and visit us soon.
Wyckoff-Midland Park Rotary Women Members
Women in Rotary Anniversary
March, 2018 marks the 30th year since Rotary began accepting women as full members. Our club is honored to have a number of women as members. Last month our District 7490 held a Brunch to honor women Rotarians. Paul Platek attended from our Club, and secured a special “Women in Rotary” pin with which to honor our current President, Cindy Perrotta.
Midland Park High School Interact
Midland Park High School’s Interact Adviser, Nancy DeRitter, updated us on the “Flag Project”. The Interact Students at MPHS want to acquire over 3,000 American Flags to put out on the School’s lawn on Patriotic Holidays and to commemorate 9-11.
