News

Boston Lithuanian School (BLS) celebrated its 65th School Year Anniversary. The BLS, one of 37 Lithuanian Heritage schools in the U.S., is among 25 schools supported by AKGP. The BLS is attended by 114 school age students and 6 adults who learn Lithuanian language, culture and history of Lithuania for four hours a Saturday, 33 Saturdays a year. Neila Baumiliene, the KFF NYC director, attended the ceremony and gave a congratulatory speech. 

Dr.Zygimantas Pavilionis, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to the U.S. visited the KFF NYC office and brought guests from Lithuania, members of Lithuanian Youth organizations and the Parlament. During the meeting, mutual concerns about the current political situation in Lithuania due to the war in Ukraine were expressed. Special attention was paid to the KFF grants for Lithuanian youth organizations that support democracy, human values and national identity. 

The Joseph P. Kazickas Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Yale (JPKF) for citizens of Lithuania provides for one individual to study at Yale for a period of four to nine months during the 2015-2016 academic year. Applications will be accepted from individuals in the following fields: law, economics, business and finance, environmental policy, political science, international relations, and history. For more info please refer to the Baltic Studies Program.

Peter Kazickas took a three day trip to Lithuania to meet with various basketball coaches and charity organizations about developing a basketball school to work with disadvantaged youths, as well as mentally, and physically disabled persons, aimed at addressing the social issues of suicide and alcoholism that plague Lithuanian families.

The KFF 2013 grantee  Foundation G Children's World of Mazeikiai, Lithuania which works with the youth in the after school programs, in the summer of 2014 organized camp "Draugai" (Friends). A.Kazickas Lithuanian school student Vilia Baumilaite who plays Lacrosse on Southampton, NY Varsity team, came up with the idea of introducing Lacrosse to the children of Lithuania. Vilia asked Southampton High School Athletic Department to donate Lacrosse equipement to the Foundation "G Children's World", took the equipment to Lithuania and volunteered at the Camp Draugai for three weeks while teaching the kids English and Lacrosse.

For the past four years, since the Exchanges for Culture, Education, and Leadership (ExCEL) program was inaugurated by the U.S. Embassy in Lithuania, a total of 26 Lithuanian high school students were given an opportunity to travel to the U.S. for a year of high school and live with an American host family. The exchange year was one of growth, maturity, and learning about others.  

KFF NYC director visited Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Washington D.C. and met with the Ambassador Zygimantas Pavilionis in order to discuss Foundation's grants to the Lithuanian youth organizations which promote national identity, respect for the country's rich history and human values. 

Alexandra Kazickas Grant program for the Lithuanian Heritage Schools of the US grants yearly support to the Lithuanian Educational Council which organizes teacher conferences "Let's leave a footprint" in Camp Dainava, Michigan. This year's focus was on the use of technology in the classroom and teaching of the Lithuanian as the Second Language to the English speaking children. 

Lithuanian Camp Neringa ended it's 45th summer with a Picnic in Putnam, CT where over one hundred campers in Lithuanian national costume gave one hour song and dance performance, taught by professional choreographers from Lithuania. The KFF $10 000 grant to Neringa in 2014 covered scholarships to 20 families who could otherwise not afford to send their children to the summer camp. KFF thanks all the grantee families and their children for the Thank you letters and souvenirs of gratitude. 

Joseph P. Kazickas passed peacefully at home in East Hampton, NY on July 9, 2014 at the age of 96. Obituaries are in the New York Times and in the East Hampton Star ,condolence letters can be signed in the New York Times Guest book until August 20, 2015 or mailed to: the Kazickas Family Foundation, 120 East 38th Street, New York, New York 10016, USA. The Family has suggested memorial contributions to the Lithuanian Foundation; 14911 127^th Street; Lemont, IL 60439, USA.