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by Jeffrey Stanley
The Horizons enrichment program for public school students at Brooklyn Friends School turned three this year, and it has been receiving generous birthday gifts all year long. The Altman Foundation, a major supporter of the program since its second year, renewed its funding this year, and the Adeona Foundation also stepped forward with funding.
"A lot of what funders want to see are gains in literacy" explained  Co-Executive Director Taunya Black. BFS teacher and Horizons Reading Specialist Ellen Conroy assesses Horizons students when they come into the program, and again at the end. “The results of her literacy assessments allow us to demonstrate to our funders the concrete gains made by the students throughout the program.”
Still, there's never a guarantee that the grants will continue. "We write and submit grant proposals, and funders make site visits in the summer," said Horizons Co-Director Rachel Webber.
To Rachel and Taunya's delight, the Adeona Foundation stepped forward with funding this year. Adeona sponsors New York based programs that serve economically disadvantaged children through various academic and enrichment programs. “They were specifically excited about our new afterschool component, slated to start in the fall of 2011,” said Taunya. Adeona recently hosted their “White Party”, an annual fundraiser that lightheartedly requires all paying guests to dress entirely in white. The event raised $20,000, which Adeona will donate to Horizons Afterschool Program at BFS.
Besides the Altman and Adeona Foundations, other major sponsors are the Brooklyn Community Foundation, JP Morgan Chase, the Lazard Foundation, Horizons National, and TD Bank. Partners include Long Island University, the Mark Morris Dance Group, Coca-Cola Enterprises and Public Schools 307, 287, 8 and 67.
Horizons foundation contacts originate with Board members as well as the program's board president Joe Chan, himself a Horizons alum from Connecticut. Mr. Chan is today a successful Brooklyn civic leader and president of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership.
 Horizons, or properly, the Horizons National Student Enrichment Program, is a nationwide organization that has linked independent schools with nearby public schools in their communities for over 40 years. BFS became the first independent school in New York City to join Horizons, when in 2008 15 rising first graders from PS 307 and PS 287 participated in the new program. In the summer of 2009 these children moved up a grade level, and a new group of rising first graders was brought into the program.
This cycle will continue, and in four more years the program will reach its intended capacity of 1st-8th grade Horizons students. It will then keep accepting new rising 1st graders every year as 8th graders graduate from the program. Currently at half-capacity with 60 kids, the program is now in its fourth year. The program has even been visited by previous New York City Schools Chancellor Joel Klein.
Taunya and Rachel are quick to point out, however, that they don't only need funding from major supporters. Grass roots fundraising efforts are key, too. They cite BFS’ PAT sponsored Winterfest as one important effort that provides significant funding for operating costs. In addition, Horizons at BFS board member Pam Kiernan, the parent of BFS kindergartener Sean, has launched a Read-a-thon. In Sean's 6-in-6 Read-a Thon, he will read six books in six weeks in hopes of raising $10,000 in individual donations, 10% of which will buy a book for every Horizons student and 90% of which will go to support the program's ongoing literacy initiatives. "Pam and Sean decided together that a read-a-thon to benefit the Horizons students was also a great way to reinforce the community service aspect of BFS and its mission," said Rachel. “It’s great to see our BFS community participating in this way.”
Pam and Sean's read-a-thon initiative had so much appeal that board chair Joe Chan is leading a similar effort with his young daughters.
BFS Upper School students are also getting involved during the summers, volunteering their time to assist with academics in the classroom, as well as enrichment and off-site activities. "Last summer we had 25 students," said Taunya. "The volunteer program in also a great tie-in to BFS’ mission of community service. It’s wonderful to see our BFS students become so invested in the children they meet through Horizons.”
Head of School Larry Weiss has also been "very supportive," added Rachel, “as have Karen Edelman, Joan Martin and Mike Pellechio. They have all lent their expertise to help ensure that Taunya and I have the resources and tools we need to run an effective program.”
 Horizons at BFS held its first two reunions this year for Horizons families. The first was a swimming party in the fall at Horizons partner, Long Island University. This spring the parents spent the day at BFS meeting two of the program’s teaching artists, West African drummer Sam Bathrick and artist Vicki Behm. Horizons students and their parents participated in workshops led by Sam and Vicki. This was a fantastic way for the parents to experience some of the enrichment activities the students participate in during the summer.
Aside from their development and leadership acumen, are the co-directors getting any personal fulfillment from the program? "It sounds simple, but it’s really about the kids" said Taunya. “Both Rachel and I feel privileged to be able to participate in the lives of these families in a meaningful way. Our work with Horizons allows us to participate in the prevention of summer learning loss, and provide the Horizons students with opportunities they may not otherwise have. Equally important is the program’s role in helping to break down the invisible walls that often exist between communities.
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