News

First ever, Lithuanian language proficiency level A2 exam for the youth in the U.S. conducted by Vilnius University on May 9th and 10th (a pilot project with the EU) is  a great outcome of the KFF three year long initiative to support Lithuanian language teaching, learning and evaluation outside Lithuania.  

KFF NYC office Director N.Baumiliene spent two days in Washington D.C. while learning, networking, promoting Lithuania and the Kazickas Family Foundation. So much to learn about the Philanthropy: purposeful giving, mechanisms of grantmaking, challenges, opportunities, IRS protocols, Anti-Money Laundering laws, ways to measure impact... 

Courtesy of CAF(Charities Aid Foundation of) America and Johns Hopkins University 

Washington D.C., dinner with Lithuanian Ambassador to the U.S and Mexico Zygimantas Pavilionis, Miriam Parel and Brooke Swafford, both of ExCEL, and Neila Baumiliene of the KFF NYC. Lithuanian youth was in the center of the conversations: finding ways to encourage volunteering, leadership, patriotism and civic duties. 

Lithuanian Embassy in Berlin, Germany, had an evening of "Wege Der Hoffnung"(German edition of the Odyssey of Hope) presentation. Lithuanian Ambassador Deividas Matulionis said: "The book portrays Joseph Kazickas's life which is a true reflection of Lithuania's life, its fight for freedom and independence". 

The Kazickas Family Foundation hosted U.S. Ambassador Anne E. Derse (Ret.) and Miriam Parel at the Kazickas residence during their recent visit to Lithuania February 22 to March 1. Ambassador Derse and Mrs. Parel returned from a follow-up trip on April 18.

Photo courtesy of ExCEL Abroad

Five members of the Kazickas Family participated in the Evening of Kindness - the Colorful BandAid Project initiated by Aiste Furajevaite of the A.Kazickas Lithuanian School. The event organized by the current students and former school's graduates supported Mamų unija/Mother's Union of Lithuania, a non-profit organization caring for children with cancer. 

In the Lithuanian Alliance of America, Ms. Lina Venskute, elementary school Lithuanian language teacher from Vilnius, Lithuania and a lecturer of Primary Education, conducted a workshop for 28 teachers from four Lithuanian Heritage Schools from New York and New Jersey (pictured). 

The first seminar to train basketball coaches for the project „The Power of Basketball“ was presented by Aiste Zemaityte, sports phsychologist working in Lithuania and Germany. Eighteen participants who work with the youth either as basketball coaches in Capital Basketball School of  Vilnius or in the KFF grantee organizations were welcomed to the Kazickas Residence in Vilnius. 

Jurate Kazickas paricipated in the second gathering of New York Lithuanian Professionals (NYLP) at the architecture and design firm Design Republic. The venue was organized by the The Lithuanian-American Community (LAC) New York District.

Please, read more about the meeting on the Lithuanian Community of New York website.