News

During the KFF meeting that took place September 23rd, it was decided to continue the Alexandra Kazickas Grant Program. Alexandra Kazickas was deeply committed to the preservation of a Lithuanian identity for young people growing up in the US. 

KFF's Neila Baumilienė, Kiki Kazickas and Jack Kazickas participated at the "American Councils" conference "Increasing Diversity, Expanding Geographies in International Education: Public-Private Partnerships for the Global Era".

During a working lunch on The Power of Basketball program Stage 2 (October 2015 – June 2016) for Lithuania, five Kazickas Family members met with Marty Conlon (formerly of NBA Cares, currently of the Avenues) who helped launch the program, and John Holm of CAF America. A plan to reach 600 most vulnarable children (from orphanages and high risk families) in rural areas of Lithuania was discussed. 

On September 21, Jūratė Kazickas, the President of the KFF met with Prof. Egidijus Aleksandravičius. member of the Board of Directors of Valdas Adamkus Presidential library. During the meeting they discussed care of Dr. J. Kazickas' archives and development of a room dedicated to Dr. J. Kazickas' contributions.

Thirteen Representatives from seven Lithuanian Heritage schools of the US who participated in the Heritage language program conference at the American University 9/19/2015 in Washington D.C. met with H.E. Ambassador of Lithuania to the US Rolandas Kriščiūnas, Lyra Puišytė-Bostroem, Minister Counselor and Evelina Petronė, First Secretary.

KFF Grantee ALEXANDRA KAZICKAS LITHUANIAN SCHOOL'S (AKLS) STUDENTS FLEW KITES OF GRATITUDE IN REMEMBRANCE OF ITS FOUNDERS ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE 10TH SCHOOL YEAR.
"I am thankful for being able to learn Lithuanian language and history", "Thank you to the Kazickas and teachers", "We love you, thank you for everything!",

On August 29, during the 3x3 Basketball Tournament, organized by the Capital Basketball School (SKM, Vilnius, Lithuania) on the newly renovated KFF-NBA court (Šeškinė, Vilnius,LT), the BE GOOD team competed for their deceased friend.

In fight against human trafficking within/across/from Lithuania and in order to expand array of conversations with ”The Power of Basketball” program’s vulnerable children, the director of the KFF NYC bureau met with organizations working in the field of human trafficking prevention. 

The Blessed Michal Sopocko Hospice, one of the KFF 2014 grantees, was founded in Vilnius in 2009 by the Sisters of Merciful Jesus invited by the Cardinal of the Lithuanian RCC Audrys J. Bačkis from Poland to Lithuania. Renovated and opened in 2012 the facility became the first Hospice in Lithuania. 

For over a month, the newly renovated basketball court in Šeškinė district (Vilnius, Lithuania) has been in full swing. Cheers, claps, and basketball dribbling sounds are heard throughout the day. Sometimes they are interrupted by a coach’s whistle. On June 14, a day long court opening ceremony marked the end of the pilot social responsibility program named "The Power of Basketball".