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The Kazickas Family Foundation started year 2021 with new hopes and exciting news that it granted $116,805 to support 26 Lithuanian Heritage schools in the US. The Alexandra Kazickas Grant Program (AKGP) was started in 2012 in memory of beloved Alexandra Kazickas (1920-2011) who was deeply committed to the preservation of a Lithuanian identity for young people growing up in the US.
Grant helps to expand and advance Lithuanian education in the US, to preserve Lithuanian heritage and pass it down to the next generation that was truly important to A. Kazickas.
Since 2012 Alexandra Kazickas Grant Program already donated more than one million dollars to Lithuanian Heritage Schools in the US. In addition, it is the main supporter of the Alexandra Kazickas Lithuanian School in Riverhead that was established in 2006. The Kazickas Family Foundation also has been contributing to the Lithuanian Educational Council of the USA for many years, initiated and sponsored Lithuanian language proficiency tests for Lithuanian heritage language schools' students, helped publish numerous textbooks and started summer internship program in Lithuania "Bring Together Lithuania". Years of foundation's financial commitment and continuous encouragement can certainly be measured by the growing number of schools, students' work recognition in their local states, as well as in Lithuania, many of them exploring the possibilities to link their future with Lithuania and some even building their lives in Lithuania. With the recent wave of Lithuanians deciding to return to Lithuania and raise their children there, language skills are crucial for students' integration. Lithuanian heritage schools help preserve Lithuanian language and culture for the benefit of individuals, communities and society.
The Kazickas Family wishes all schools' children, teachers and parents an exciting and productive year and sends their gratitude, encouragement and support.