SFK-Success for Kids Expands to Costa Rica by Providing Unique Program to Empower Future Generations of Leaders
San Jose, Costa Rica, February 16, 2011 --(PR.com)-- SFK-Success for Kids (SFK) today announced that it is launching its 10-year-old social emotional learning program in public schools in Costa Rica to assist students in completing their education and avoid falling into patterns of addiction, alcoholism and delinquency.
SFK will deliver its research-based programs to 425 third and fourth grade students located in the province of Alajuela. SFK programs enhance four personal strengths (interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, problem-solving skills and improved self-sufficiency). In the process, the program helps students around the world develop a greater sense of purpose in their lives and realize a marked difference in their personal relationships and academic performance.
With the opening of the 2011 school year, SFK will address some of the barriers that are preventing many Costa Rican children from completing high school and pursuing successful careers or furthering their education. Costa Rica has a literacy rate of 97%, an excellent school system and is second only to Panama in wealth in Central America. However, wide gaps exist between the wealthy and the poor in terms of the quality of education and successful completion of high school.
Public education is free but children are required to purchase their books. According to the Instituto Nacional de Estadisticas y Censos (I.N.E.C.), approximately 22% of the Costa Rica population lives in poverty. Therefore, the cost associated with education is a barrier to many children completing school. Often, students who leave school due to costs must return at night to prepare for their Bachillerato por Madurez, which is similar to a United States GED.
“When fewer students are leaving school for economic reasons or other factors, more children can graduate, pursue a chosen profession, achieve a comfortable lifestyle and contribute to their country,” said SFK Executive Director Ana Salvado, who will oversee the administration and delivery of programs and fundraising in Costa Rica. “We believe that helping children develop strong coping skills will lead them to make more positive choices and increase their opportunities to use their special gifts and talents to make a better life for themselves. Ultimately, their families, communities and Costa Rica will be strengthened and enriched.
SFK’s expansion into Costa Rica is being underwritten by a generous contribution from an anonymous donor who has made Costa Rica his home and hopes to inspires other individuals, Trusts and Corporations to join his commitment in developing and protecting the country’s greatest resource - “Children-the future leaders of Costa Rica”. The donor’s gift will cover operational costs, teaching staff, training and materials for the first three years.
“Our expansion to Costa Rica is an outstanding opportunity for SFK to help even more children and adolescents to become resilient, productive citizens, while it also aligns with our strategic direction to serve more children in Latin America,” said Dr. Heath Grant, CEO, Global Education and Outreach and Dwayne Ashley, CEO, Global Operations, SFK in a joint statement. “We view this as an opportunity to partner with the people of Costa Rica in pursuing the country’s educational agenda and developing future leaders who will add value to the communities where they live.”
For more information about SFK-Success for Kids, go to www.sfk.org.
About Success for Kids, Inc. (SFK)
Success for Kids, Inc. (SFK), is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering at-risk children and youth to become resilient, productive citizens by delivering innovative research-based programs that enhance four personal strengths (interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, problem solving skills and self-sufficiency) and give students a greater sense of purpose in their lives. With a dedicated staff, SFK is the largest international social emotional learning organization in the world. Since its inception in 2001, SFK has provided more than $32 million in programmatic support impacting more than 75,000 children and adolescents. A 501(c) (3), tax-exempt organization, it ranks as one of the most efficiently operated charities in the country.
###
SFK will deliver its research-based programs to 425 third and fourth grade students located in the province of Alajuela. SFK programs enhance four personal strengths (interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, problem-solving skills and improved self-sufficiency). In the process, the program helps students around the world develop a greater sense of purpose in their lives and realize a marked difference in their personal relationships and academic performance.
With the opening of the 2011 school year, SFK will address some of the barriers that are preventing many Costa Rican children from completing high school and pursuing successful careers or furthering their education. Costa Rica has a literacy rate of 97%, an excellent school system and is second only to Panama in wealth in Central America. However, wide gaps exist between the wealthy and the poor in terms of the quality of education and successful completion of high school.
Public education is free but children are required to purchase their books. According to the Instituto Nacional de Estadisticas y Censos (I.N.E.C.), approximately 22% of the Costa Rica population lives in poverty. Therefore, the cost associated with education is a barrier to many children completing school. Often, students who leave school due to costs must return at night to prepare for their Bachillerato por Madurez, which is similar to a United States GED.
“When fewer students are leaving school for economic reasons or other factors, more children can graduate, pursue a chosen profession, achieve a comfortable lifestyle and contribute to their country,” said SFK Executive Director Ana Salvado, who will oversee the administration and delivery of programs and fundraising in Costa Rica. “We believe that helping children develop strong coping skills will lead them to make more positive choices and increase their opportunities to use their special gifts and talents to make a better life for themselves. Ultimately, their families, communities and Costa Rica will be strengthened and enriched.
SFK’s expansion into Costa Rica is being underwritten by a generous contribution from an anonymous donor who has made Costa Rica his home and hopes to inspires other individuals, Trusts and Corporations to join his commitment in developing and protecting the country’s greatest resource - “Children-the future leaders of Costa Rica”. The donor’s gift will cover operational costs, teaching staff, training and materials for the first three years.
“Our expansion to Costa Rica is an outstanding opportunity for SFK to help even more children and adolescents to become resilient, productive citizens, while it also aligns with our strategic direction to serve more children in Latin America,” said Dr. Heath Grant, CEO, Global Education and Outreach and Dwayne Ashley, CEO, Global Operations, SFK in a joint statement. “We view this as an opportunity to partner with the people of Costa Rica in pursuing the country’s educational agenda and developing future leaders who will add value to the communities where they live.”
For more information about SFK-Success for Kids, go to www.sfk.org.
About Success for Kids, Inc. (SFK)
Success for Kids, Inc. (SFK), is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering at-risk children and youth to become resilient, productive citizens by delivering innovative research-based programs that enhance four personal strengths (interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, problem solving skills and self-sufficiency) and give students a greater sense of purpose in their lives. With a dedicated staff, SFK is the largest international social emotional learning organization in the world. Since its inception in 2001, SFK has provided more than $32 million in programmatic support impacting more than 75,000 children and adolescents. A 501(c) (3), tax-exempt organization, it ranks as one of the most efficiently operated charities in the country.
###
Contact
SFK-Success for Kids
Latoya Henry
646.382.4511
www.sfk.org
Latoya Henry
646.382.4511
www.sfk.org
Contact
Categories