News
The Lithuanian public broadcaster, Lithuanian Radio and Television (LRT) that is the largest media group in Lithuania owned by the public, shares Jurate Kazickas' concerns during the current situation in Lithuania and ways to help.
LRT.lt Original Article in Lithuanian
04.24.2020
Journalist, philanthropist and the president of the Kazickas Family Foundation Jurate Kazickas does not forget her homeland during the Covid-19 crisis. Thanks to her and the whole Kazickas Family Foundation's efforts, packages with the most necessary household supplies, food and medicine have been distributed to 70 struggling families in Lithuania, raising over 160 children.
The crisis is the hardest on vulnerable families
Jurate Kazickas closely follows the situation in Lithuania and is glad to see a strong sense of unity and number of philanthropic initiatives and volunteering growing. Alongside other efforts in the fields of education and social welfare, the foundation directed additional support to struggling families during the Covid-19 crisis.
“At risk families became even more vulnerable during this crisis. Schools and day centers that usually provide free meals to children are now closed and families have to make sure they are able to provide enough nutritious meals. When so many may have lost income, we wanted to make sure that they get the support they need”, - says J. Kazickas.
J. Kazickas’s message to the struggling families is not to lose hope and to work together to make sure no one is left out or forgotten. “Helping others benefits society as a whole”, - she adds.
Supplies distributed thanks to partners
When it was decided to help the families, Kazickas Family Foundation reached out to their partners and grantees. “I am especially proud of “Youth Can” coaches and partners from our supported children day centers and educational organizations in addition to other volunteers who have given so generously of their time and energy to distribute supplies and provide emotional support. I am very grateful for their kindness and charitable example.”
Main focus of the Kazickas Family Foundation is on the children and youth from the regions
The foundation supports around 60 Lithuanian organizations and has established one program of its own - “Youth Can”. The program promotes active, productive and healthy lifestyle in country’s remote regions. During free weekly sport practices, discussions, meetings and educational trips children develop necessary life skills. It operates in 16 locations - small towns and villages. “The Kazickas Family Foundation has long maintained that the future of Lithuania depends on the young generation. Every child in the country is valuable. “Youth Can” coaches also reached out to all the families of the program’s children to talk about the challenges they are facing and delivered the packages with essential goods to the ones in need. They also got in touch with the program’s alumni to check how they were doing and if they needed any help. It’s worth mentioning that “Youth Can” is continuing its work and moving its practices online. Physical activity certainly decreased during the quarantine, so youth are invited to join the classes via Facebook Channel”, - says J. Kazickas.
Helping the victims of domestic violence
“I would also like to add that KFF is supporting local efforts to prevent domestic abuse during this crisis. It is a very dangerous time for that vulnerable population that may not be able to leave their abusive home situation because of the quarantine”, - shares J. Kazickas. The Kazickas Family Foundation has recently expanded its pool of grantees by including one Lithuanian Specialized Help Center.
Family foundation to achieve the philanthropic goals
“My husband and I are self-isolating and being very careful about our health. We are fortunate that we are in a safe place. Therefore, I feel very blessed and have an obligation to do what I can to help the people of my beloved homeland, Lithuania. Our family foundation based in New York and Vilnius, allows us to support worthwhile programs that are also doing their part during this crisis. We are also offering our platform to the diaspora Lithuanians to send donations to a few selected Lithuanian organizations that are working closely to help the ones affected by the crisis. We are all in this together and we will succeed together”,- adds J. Kazickas.
The Kazickas Family Foundation was established by dr. Joseph P. Kazickas (1918 - 2014) in New York in 1998 and in Vilnius in 1999. Over the years, the foundation has distributed around 14 million dollars in grants mostly in the U.S. and Lithuania. The Foundation plans on giving $700,000 in 2020.
Photos: Jurate Kazickas' archives