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A few weeks ago, we held our year-end celebration concert at Rock Church on a cold Monday night. But inside, there was warmth and light. Friends and family from Newark and all over New Jersey came to watch our students play. In this newsletter, we’ve included pictures, videos, impressions from some special events this month. I wish there were words to describe the overwhelming gratitude I feel for each and every one of you who have walked with us on this path of love and adventure. Happy Holidays to all!
Jee-Hoon Krska, Executive Director
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Surprise At The Year- End Concert
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A few minutes before the year-end concert started, Phil Bingham (pictured below top row, left) asked to say a few words. Of course, being a long-time mentor and coach to our students, we assumed he would just say a few nice words about how proud he was of our students. But instead, he announced that he would donate $1,000 to Keys 2 Success, with the condition that the audience matches it by donating $300!
The excitement built as Carolina Rozewski (top row, right) and Brendan Da Silva (not pictured) provided remarks on behalf of the Peapack Gladstone Bank and the DaSilva Team, respectively, on their support for the children of Newark. Next, Duafane Parker (second row, left) of the Ras Baraka Center of Hope at Pennington Court spoke about the birthplace of Keys 2 Success.
One of our Urban Fellows, Alondra Martinez (second row, right), shared her story of moving from home to home as a child immigrant, all the while trying to blend into American society by hiding her family troubles from teachers and friends. As she shared her story, our students sat quietly behind her, listening intently and occasionally nodding in recognition of similarities between their own stories and hers.
Keys 2 Success Board Member Lydia Alvarez (third row) shared her son, Alex’s incredible journey with Keys 2 Success and his fight against cancer. Teachers from South Street School, Mr. Watson (fourth row, left) and Ms. Shabbaz (photographer for all the pictures below), Board members (fourth row, right), partners, supporters, volunteers, family, and friends all glowed with pride and joy as they listened to our students perform solos and, as a keyboard orchestra, William Tell Overture and Libertango.
The year-end concert brought out the best in our students and our audience. After all the guests left, and we looked in the gift basket - we discovered that our friends and family had left us not $300, but almost $3,000!
This is the key to success - a community that loves others as ourselves.
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A Visit From Awadagin Pratt
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Since the inception of Keys 2 Success in 2016, the New Jersey Symphony has been a strong and constant partner. Recently, our students played for Awadagin Pratt, who was performing as a soloist with the New Jersey Symphony. During his visit with our students at Pennington Court, he watched intently and coached them as they rehearsed William Tell Overture, Libertango, and some solo pieces.
A few days later, 50 of our students and their families traveled to New Brunswick to see Awadagin perform with the orchestra at the New Jersey State Theatre. Mr. Pratt met again during the intermission with our students for a Q&A. One of our students asked him how long it took him to play piano so well. “Twenty years of practicing 3 to 6 hours a day.” Awadagin’s blunt answer was met by a collective gasp from the children and knowing nods from the parents.
We may never be sure, but it seems some of our students took that challenge to heart and have started practicing a lot more!
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Anisa Williams is a Junior studying nursing at Hampton University. She recently learned about us through her mother Victoria Williams, who is a member of the Junior League of Summit, a partner of Keys 2 Success. We asked her to write about her first impressions of volunteering with Keys 2 Success at Pennington Court.
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As I was heading over to the center, I was filled with excitement because of the unknown, because I had absolutely no idea what to expect. But, walking in, I was immediately welcomed by the staff and the kids. They were so full of life and love. One of the kids even gave me a hug which I thought was extremely heartwarming.
Right off the bat, I noticed how close all of the kids were to one another, and I could tell they really enjoyed coming to the center. As I entered the music room, one of the children immediately grabbed me and started teaching me what she was learning on the piano. I have never played the piano before, so it was nice being in an environment where it’s all positivity.
I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly the kids learned to play piano. Keys 2 Success makes sure their piano teachers are skilled, and it reflects on the kids' performance in playing the piano. These kids are like prodigies. Some of them have a natural talent for the instrument, and I would love to see how that talent will evolve.
One thing that I did I noticed is that a lot of the kids do not have role models who attended college, and it saddened me to see because they don’t have a lot of resources that maybe I have, for example. It honestly puts it into perspective to always be grateful and appreciative of what you have. The center I went to in Newark isn’t necessarily the best area to live. These kids are so susceptible to the “street life” that they truly need someone to care for their minds, body, and soul. The people who work for Keys 2 Success are heroic people who selflessly give their time, money, and energy to children who don’t have access to things like that.
It was, truthfully, a humbling experience. Not only were the kids insanely talented, but they were also content with their life. As I left the center, a man approached me and offered me two big packs of ramen noodles. You wouldn't see that in my neighborhood, which speaks a lot for itself. I also saw many kids outside playing and enjoying each other’s company, which shows this area is exceptionally community-based. You can tell that the staff loves the children just as much or even a little more. It’s incredible what they do. They put an exorbitant amount of time, energy, and effort into ensuring the kids are satisfied.
What I loved about my experience was how accepting everyone was of me. The kids - it was their first time meeting me, but they did not make me feel like an outcast. They welcomed me with open arms, and I felt that I connected with some of them. It’s also an experience that not many people get to experience, and I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to not only work with them but be able to impact their lives in some way. These kids need role models that look like them to whom they can relate. In a cruel world like this one, programs like Keys 2 Success are the stepping stones to change the world.
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Help Us Cross The Finish Line!
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We are within striking distance of our fundraising goals for 2022. We have raised $166,511 of $180,000. That’s only $13,489 to go! Your generosity enacts real change in the lives of others. Join us for our final push!
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