I took this picture in 2002 of the first students to enroll in KIPP's first school in New Jersey on their first ever college campus visit. The trip to Princeton took place three months after four teachers opened the school in a crumbling church building in Newark. Over the years, their collective success enabled the expansion of one classroom into a high performing public school network that is today creating opportunities for thousands of children in Newark, Camden and Miami's Liberty City. 

I was in Newark a lot during those first years and while I'm not sure how I ended up chaperoning a trip to Princeton, memories like this reflect a long held goal: show up for others. 

In this season of gratitude, I am asking you to show up with me for students and educators, including the original founding staff and first class of students, some of whom are now KIPP NJ parents and teachers -- read Kinyette's testimonial in the NYT here. The KIPP community is doing incredible and tireless work with remote teaching and learning and helping food insecure families get what they need. This spring, by quickly mobilizing to enable remote learning, distributing laptops and wifi hotspots as well as leveraging partnerships for hot meals and groceries to reach the highest need families, the KIPP NJ community has written a world-class playbook on how to show up.

The work does not end once our students enroll in college. KIPP NJ’s alumni network is strong and commits to helping students get to and through college. As a result, our alumni graduate from college at 3 times the rate of their low-income peers.

This year I'm directing my support to KIPP Through College & Career. For KIPP alumni, the many stressors of college have been magnified by the pandemic. COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted first-generation college students. One third of first-generation college students are caring for multigenerational family members while enduring financial hardships due to increased living and technology costs. 

Giving Tuesday is December 1.  KIPP NJ set a goal to raise $300,000 to support our scholars and alumni in NJ. A group of donors agreed to match all gifts up to $150,000 (THANK YOU). Friends, your gift will support our alumni as they navigate college, certificate programs, internships, and job opportunities. And on this Giving Tuesday season, your gift will make TWICE the impact. 

Please consider making a gift of any amount. Thank you!