News

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.

ASSIST NYC Reception of ASSIST alumni and friends of New York City area was held in the Colony Club, NYC. The Kazickas Family Foundation sponsored three Lithuanian scholars for the 2014/2015 school year with four more Lithuanian scholars arriving on ASSIST for the 2014/2015 school year thanks to the ASSIST challenge grant. 171 students from 20 countries will attend 88 member schools in the US. Lithuanian delegation of seven scholars are following in the footsteps of 100 alumni who represented Lithuania with distinction. 

KFF Vilnius bureau Executive Director Zenonas Bedalis hosted an orientation seminar for the ASSIST Lithuania scholars in the Kazickas Family Residence, Vilnius, Lithuania. ASSIST 2014 alumni joined in sharing their experiences and giving advice. 

Irina Matijonsaitiene of Kaunas University of Technology, presented her research conducted under the Joseph Peter Kazickas Fellowship program while at Yale University. Mrs.Matijosaitiene's four month study focused on how Urban planning affects Crime situation.