Our Program

Eastern European Friendship Group builds connections through cultural understanding and mentorship for New York City public schools immigrant girls in grades 6-12. The group supports the girls learn about, embrace, and promote their Eastern European cultural heritage and its strong tradition in math, science, and technology, while aspiring to achieve the American Dream through academic success and community involvement.

We work with immigrant high school girls to build awareness and pride of our Eastern European heritage. We support the girls in extending their knowledge about Eastern European cultures by connecting with Eastern European schools and Eastern European communities in New York City. Through our program we develop relationships with Eastern European Cultural Centers and participate in their cultural events. We foster a long tradition of Eastern European women active in math, science, and engineering, by mentoring the girls to pursue and succeed in such fields. We advance a high commitment to find mentors willing to build lasting relationships with the group’s members. We foster integrity, trust, and friendships across all cultures by encouraging a positive and joyful outlook towards youth growth, social development, and their emotional well-being.    

 

History

Eastern European Friendship Group is developed by educators working for the New York City Department of Education under the auspices of Girls Empowerment Initiatives at the Office of Field Support and it branched out from the Girls Empowerment Movement (GEM), an initiative started in 2015 by Brooklyn South Borough Field Support Center. Eastern European Friendship Group will launch in September 2017 with 50 students from New York City public schools. 
 

How Does the Program Work?

  • The group is open to citywide participation and the meetings will take place at cultural places and DOE institutions around the city.

  • Recruiting students is done through: 

    • Districts, Principals, and Parent Coordinators

    • Field Support Centers Community Coordinators

    • Community and faith-based organizations  

  • Recruiting mentors is done through:

    • Community and faith-based organizations  

    • STEM Companies

    • Department of Education Staff
       

Membership

The group extends the invitation for participation to immigrant Girls from Eastern European countries and their friends. The requirement is to have a real desire to learn more about Eastern European cultures and be involved in a minimum of 80% of the activities organized by the group.  

Why Would I join the Program?

The group creates a fun and supportive environment where participants learn about their heritage, expend their creativity and artistic awareness of all artistic forms and literature from their countries of origin, learn more about embracing carriers in STEM, or simply spend time with peers and mentors who share their passion for their heritage. The group provides high-quality enrichment experience while providing the girls with plenty of guidance to become successful New Yorker. The program is free of charge.

Curriculum:

  1.  What does empowerment mean to you? (visit NYC Historical Society)

  2. What does being strong mean to you? ( Create a word cloud )

  3. What does being gracious mean to you? (Brancusi exhibition)

  4. What does being purposeful mean to you (Ms. Currie – movie and book)

  5. What does being grounded in your roots mean to you?

  6. What is your message to the world? (Create a podcast to share with the world the message of girls empowerment, purpose, and the importance of knowing your roots to be grounded)

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Have fun!

while learning more about New York’s great cultural offerings and opportunities…