Empowering Kids Organization

06/13/2026

The James W. Northrop After-School Program culminated today with a celebration filled with joy and accomplishment. Our middle and high school students proudly received their diplomas and shared special memories, food, and fellowship with their families and teachers.

A heartfelt thank-you to our dedicated teachers—Stephanie Goncalves, Silvia Vicente, Tonya Ramsey, Nida Abdulla, Ashley Raven, Richard Morse, and Mike Gorman—as well as Program Coordinators Patricia Fontan and Teresa Usme, and Central Presbyterian Church for their unwavering support and commitment to our students' success.

05/20/2026

05/19/2026

🎨 EKO artists proudly concluded the Spring into Art 2026 program!

A heartfelt thank you to Denise Banaag for teaching the art of paper sculpture, and to Jennifer Evans Arbo for guiding our students in ceramic sculpture.

We are also deeply grateful to Melanie Cohen, Director of VACNJ, and Rachel Aponte for opening this wonderful opportunity to EKO students.

And a special thank you to Patricia Costa Giomi for coordinating the program together with Teresa Usme and Patricia Fontan.

We are so proud of our students’ creativity, dedication, and artistic growth this spring! 💙

05/14/2026

✨ Exciting news at EKO!

We are so happy to launch our new mentoring and tutoring program for boys! A small group of 5th and 6th graders is coming together every Thursday after school to build friendships, work on homework, and share snacks in a welcoming and supportive environment.

A heartfelt thank you to Christ Church Summit for opening its doors to us, and to our new Board member Terry Baker for coordinating the program alongside Teresa Usme and Patricia Fontan.

And a special shout-out to our amazing mentors, Tyler Kanarek and Ammar Ayub, for their dedication and enthusiasm in working with the students. 💙

Together, we continue creating spaces where our students feel supported, connected, and empowered.

05/02/2026

✨ ¡Un maravilloso día de exploración y conexión!

EKO Road Map to College / EKO Camino a la Universidad, en colaboración con Summit High School, llevó a 10 familias hispanas a visitar el campus de Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Un agradecimiento muy especial a Stephanie Goncalves por acompañar como chaperona junto a Patricia Fontan, y a Israel Delgado por presentar el Latino Promise Program y guiarnos en un inspirador recorrido por el campus. ¡El día terminó de la mejor manera con un delicioso almuerzo en la cafetería!

Estamos muy orgullosos de seguir abriendo puertas y creando oportunidades para nuestras familias. 💙

✨ A wonderful day of exploration and connection!

EKO Road Map to College / EKO Camino a la Universidad, in collaboration with Summit High School, brought 10 Hispanic families to visit the Fairleigh Dickinson University campus.

A big thank you to Stephanie Goncalves for chaperoning alongside Patricia Fontan, and to Israel Delgado for introducing the Latino Promise Program and leading an inspiring campus tour. The day ended on a perfect note with a delicious lunch in the cafeteria!

We are so proud to continue opening doors and creating opportunities for our families. 💙

04/23/2026

Support SHS Union Hispana Club and its scholarship fund while enjoying live music and delicious food.

Celebrate culture and community at this year's *Festival Latino*!

Join us on May 1st from 7-9 p.m. at the High School for an evening of vibrant performances. The event will feature music and dance from several Spanish-speaking countries.

Tickets at the door are $7 for students and $15 adults. Cash or check (made to SHS) only.

After the show, stay for a delicious potluck-style meal in the cafeteria, featuring dishes generously donated by families. Come share in the fun and flavor!

erformances for this event are generously funded by the Summit Educational Foundation (SEF) and the SHS PTO.

04/17/2026

“At first, I didn’t want to stay for the Homework Club class because I was very tired after a whole day in school. I’m so happy I decided to give the class a try... Thanks to Sra. Vicente, I was able to finish the U.S. history project and got a very good grade.” – Angelica

These words from a student in Empowering Kids Organization’s James W. Northrop After School Program show the importance of extracurricular support. Thanks to organizations like EKO, more students are receiving the assistance they deserve.

With help from our grant, EKO provided a Homework Club, a college readiness class, and an English as a Second Language course to 30 students in Summit. The students demonstrated increased engagement, improved organizational skills, and greater confidence discussing their educational and career goals.

We are proud to support EKO’s work in helping students build the skills and confidence they need for the future.

04/16/2026

On April 12th, Pastor Deborah Huggins hosted EKO members: Patricia Fontan, Teresa Usme and Maria Jose Orgeira, during the WAVE service. It was an uplifting service that highlighted the importance of helping others. Thank you to the for its support and partnership, and to Pastor Huggins for allowing EKO to be a part of this inspiring service.

01/01/2026

Happy New Year!