I’m running the Brooklyn Half Marathon (wooo!!!!) on April 23 to support Brisa Elena’s Spanish immersion preschool, One World Project.
OWP is a special place in Brooklyn. It was founded 10 years ago as a a child-centered school dedicated to play and as a community center hoping to serve the immense diversity of our city. It is also the only Spanish immersion preschool in Brooklyn currently participating in NYC’s universal pre-k program.
Now in her second year, Brisa Elena is absolutely thriving at OWP with the loving care of her teachers and a brilliant community of classmates. Together, they explore in beautifully designed, child-centered classrooms, and outside in the school’s patios and garden.
It takes a lot to offer such high quality programming and to offer it to the broadest range of children possible. Unfortunately, the DOE’s reimbursement rate for its Universal Pre-K program, does not cover the costs that make the program so special (music classes, a community garden, good wages and healthcare for the staff.) While preschool tuition helps bridge the gap, the high cost makes the school inaccessible for many families. To live into its ideals, OWP offers scholarships to make the preschool and after school programs more economically accessible. Even so, it is largely left to the school community to fundraise in order to fill those gaps so that the school can continue to provide as many children the high quality of care and learning that they deserve.
Last year, OWP’s Brooklyn Half Marathon fundraising campaign raised nearly $68,000 for the scholarship funds, helping more than 20 families enjoy the excellent programming that OWP offers. This year, as OWP celebrates its 10th year, I am hoping to raise $1,000 towards OWP’s goal of $100,000.
I AM SO EXCITED TO BE RUNNING THIS RACE. I’m even more delighted to be running alongside my partner Daniel, my dear friend Elena, and so many others from the OWP community. I love the idea that I’m showing Brisa Elena in practice that we are so much more powerful together. Please consider donating to support us in the race, to support Brisa Elena’s school, and to support child-centered Spanish immersion early education in Brooklyn.
With so much gratitude,
Michelle
On Saturday, March 21 we’ll be running or walking the Brooklyn Spring 5K, 10K a wonderful event that will allow all our team to pick the race that is best for them.
Friday, April 24 is La Vuelta. We’ll gather at One World Project and the kids (and some grownups) will run, walk or scoot along Vanderbilt, down East 4th, along Greenwood Avenue, and up East 3rd. After the loop, we’ll gather on the patio for a party with upcycled medals for all participants. In Spanish, la vuelta means loop, like the one we’ll do around the block. Vuelta also means return. If your children have grown and you are no longer part of our preschool or after school program please consider La Vuelta an invitation to return to OWP for a visit. We would love to see you!
On Sunday, April 26 we will join half marathoners for NYC Runs, an epic running journey. The route starts in North Brooklyn and winds around the waterfront taking you under the historic Williamsburg, Manhattan, and Brooklyn Bridges. From there, the route heads up the grand concourses of Fulton Street & Flatbush Avenue before passing through Grand Army Plaza and into historic brownstone Brooklyn. We will turn into Prospect Park at mile 10 to complete our 13.2 miles.
With love and care we have built a nurturing school and community center committed to learning. We want to sustain what makes One World Project so special and grow our scholarship fund and support our Universal PreK program so that OWP is accessible to more families. Together we are working to raise $50,000.
We truly appreciate anything you are able to give.
