Empowering Kids Organization

08/06/2026

🌟 Meet Aditya Arora! 🌟

Adi is an incoming senior at Summit High School with a passion for STEM, especially computer science and mathematics. Having always enjoyed math, he hopes to help others build strong foundations and develop confidence in the subject. Outside the classroom, Adi is an active member of the Summit High School Debate Team.

Adi began volunteering with EKO during the spring semester, leading engaging math workshops for students in our middle school afterschool programs. This August, he also joined our Level Up! Summer Program, where he continues to inspire younger students with his enthusiasm for learning.

We are so grateful for Adi's dedication, leadership, and willingness to share his passion for math with our students. Thank you, Adi, for making learning fun and for being such a positive role model! 💙📚➗

07/29/2026

🌟 Meet Matthew Kanarek! 🌟
"My name is Matthew Kanarek, and I am a rising junior at Governor Livingston High School. I enjoy learning and teaching math and science, and I also love playing baseball."
Matthew joined EKO for the first time this summer and immediately formed meaningful connections with our students. At EKO, we believe that every child deserves to be seen, heard, and encouraged. Building these relationships is at the heart of strengthening our community.
Thank you, Matthew, for your dedication and for making such a positive impact on our students. We hope to welcome you back to the Level Up! Program next summer! 💙📚⚾

07/28/2026

🌟 Meet Sean Au-Yeung! 🌟

Sean is in his second year working with EKO as a tutor. In addition to volunteering with EKO during the summer, Sean also leads a First-Generation Student Club at Summit High School.

We are incredibly grateful to have Sean as part of our team. As a first-generation student himself, Sean understands some of the challenges that many of our students may face. He brings compassion, understanding, and empathy to his work as a tutor, making him a wonderful mentor and role model for our students.

Thank you, Sean, for your dedication and for inspiring the next generation! 💙📚✨

07/27/2026

🌟 Meet Tyler Kanarek! 🌟

"My name is Tyler Kanarek, and I am a rising senior at Governor Livingston High School. I love helping kids learn and understand a variety of subjects, especially math."

Tyler joined EKO this year and immediately jumped in with enthusiasm and dedication. During the spring semester, he served as the lead tutor for our new EKO Boys Tutoring and Mentoring Program and also volunteered as a tutor in the LCJSMS Afterschool Program.

Tyler is passionate about teaching and is always looking for creative ways to improve our programs and better support our students. Even with a busy summer schedule, he made time to volunteer with our Level Up! Summer Program, continuing to make a positive impact on the lives of our students.

Thank you, Tyler, for your leadership, commitment, and inspiring example. We are so grateful to have you as part of the EKO family! 💙📚✨

07/24/2026

🌟 Meet Luis Ángel Acuña Rascon! 🌟
We are incredibly grateful for Luis Ángel’s work with EKO. As a bilingual tutor and mentor, he has been a tremendous asset to our English Learner students, helping them build their academic skills and confidence. 📚💙
💬 “I’m happy and appreciative to be back in the program this year. I’ve learned a lot during my two years as a tutor and have gained valuable experience in this field throughout the summers. I recently graduated from Summit High School, and I’m heading to the University at Buffalo, where I will study Political Science and Economics.”
We wish Luis Ángel the very best as he begins this exciting new chapter, and we are so thankful for the time, dedication, and support he has given to our students! 🎓✨

07/23/2026

🌟 Meet Lucia Prorok! 🌟

Hello! My name is Lucia Prorok. I live in Short Hills and attend Millburn High School. I have been volunteering with EKO for the past two years and have been involved in three of our programs: the Level Up! Academic Summer Program, Girls2Girls Tutoring, and the JWN Afterschool Program at LCJSMS.

Lucia also founded the Empowering Kids Organization Club at her school to recruit volunteers and raise funds through various events and fundraisers. 💙

“EKO has had a profound impact on me since I first started volunteering. I love working with the students—teaching them and helping them overcome the challenges they face in their schoolwork.”

We are incredibly grateful for Lucia’s dedication, initiative, and commitment to empowering younger students. Thank you, Lucia, for making a difference in the lives of so many students! 📚✨

07/22/2026

🎉 Our Summer Booster Program wrapped up today!

For four weeks, EKO’s rising 8th graders worked hard to strengthen their math and English Language Arts skills and prepare for a strong start to the new school year. 📚✏️

We are incredibly grateful to Ms. Tonyamarie Ramsey and Ms. Ashley Raven for their guidance, and to our two wonderful high school student volunteers, Siana Mehrotra and Michelle Win, for their invaluable support.

We are so proud of all our students and the progress they made! 💙

And, of course, we celebrated the end of the summer program with ice cream—as we should! 🍦🎉

07/21/2026

🌟 Meet Gavin Lowenberger! 🌟

Gavin is a recent graduate of Summit High School and an Eagle Scout who will be attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute this fall to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

An enthusiastic teacher and tutor, Gavin has a passion for math, physics, and chemistry, as well as music. He aspires to build a career in prosthetic design and industrial engineering and is currently researching the use of electroactive polymers in these fields.

We are incredibly grateful to have Gavin as a tutor and mentor in EKO's Level Up! Program. His thoughtful teaching, kindness, patience, and intelligence inspire our students every day. Gavin is an outstanding role model who encourages young learners to build confidence, stay curious, and believe in their potential.

Thank you, Gavin, for making such a meaningful impact on our students and our community! 💙📚

07/20/2026

🎉 Today, we welcome our 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders to the four-week EKO Level Up! Program!

📚 Math, language arts, learning, and lots of fun! We are excited for an amazing summer of learning, growth, and friendship! 🌟

07/18/2026