News

Dr. J. P. Kazickas expressed his gratitude to the teachers and administrators of the Lithuanian Heritage Schools in the US on the International Teachers Day (Otober 5th). The total amount approved for disbursment in 2013 for the Alexandra Kazickas Grant Program (AKGP) by the KFF Board of Directors was $130 000. The sum was shared by 27 out of 36 Lithuanian Heritage Schools of the US. Dr. Kazickas letter in Lithuanian.

Jurate Kazickas in her letter to the board of  Valdas Adamkus Presidential Library wrote:"The Kazickas Family Foundation is pleased to announce a grant of 500,000 Litas to the Pres. Valdas Adamkus Presidential Library. We are honored to be a part of this very worthwhile and special project. President Adamkus is not only a celebrated leader of our beloved Lietuva but a close family friend whom we repect and admire. The 500,000 Litas grant will be spread out over 5 years with the first installment of 100,000 to be delivered by the end of the year." 

Ms. Daiva Navickas, President of the Lithuanian Education Council of the US, visited Dr. J.P. Kazickas in his home in East Hampton, NY. Mindaugas Breiva, a math and computer science teacher and Director of "Vaizdo Pamokos" from Lithuania, alond with KFF Secretary Treasurer John Kazickas, KFF NYC Director Neila Baumiliene, KFF NYC Program Director Snieguole Furajeviene and KFF NYC Administrator Elena Naujikiene discussed new steps for collaboration with Lithuania regarding Lithuanian Heritage schools of the US

Dr. J. P. Kazickas with his son Michael Kazickas came to the Alexandra Kazickas Lithuanian Heritage School 8th School year opening ceremony held in Red Creek Park, Hampton Bays, NY. Guests of the event were Consul General of the Republic of Lithuania  to New York Valdemaras Sarapinas and his wife Vyte, Columbia University Professor Emeritus Rimas Vaičaitis, Kazickas Family Foundation Administrator Elena Naujikiene. Lithuanian Consulate in New York issued a press release on the event. 

The President of the US Lithuanian Community Mrs.Sigita Simkuviene-Rosen presented Dr.J.P.Kazickas with the Grunwald Battle Medal for Dr.Kazickas's support for Lithuanian Heritage schools and his work for Lithuania. The Medal was created by US Lithuanian Community initiative and is being given to the prominent people living in the US who work for Lithuania. 

KFF NY Director Neila Baumiliene spent a week in the Lithuanian Heritage schools of North America teachers education course in camp Dainava, Michigan. The Director participated in lectures, and training classes, spoke to teachers and administrators from 19 American and 2 Canadian Lithuanian Heritage schools, presented the AKGP program initiatives to the schools and the Lithuanian Educational Council of the Lithuanian American and Lithuanian Canadian Community members. Camp was attended by 50 teachers among 170 participants. 

Lithuanian Religious Aid (Milda Palubinskas, Board of Directors member, NY, USA), Lithuanian Foundation (Marius Kasniunas, Chairman of the Board, IL, USA), the Kazickas Family Foundation (Zenonas Bedalis (Executive Director Vilnius office, LT), Neila Baumiliene (Executive Director New York office, USA)) met with Ambassador for Relations with the World Lithuanian Community Ginte Damusis in the Kazickas Family Foundation office in Vilnius. Ambassador Damusis presented initiative by the Ministry Of Foreign Affairs "Global Lithuania", and the three foundations spoke about possibilities of cooperation when supporting big Lithuanian projects. Lithuanian Religious Aid issued a press release on the meeting. 

The KFF organized US Lithuanian Heritage School Conference in the Kazickas Family Residence, Vilnius, Lithuania. During the morning session, representatives from seven US Lithuanian Heritage schools had discussions on the schools needs and cooperation with Lithuanian specialists and officials from Ministries...

Dr. J. P. Kazickas's memoir book "Odyssey of Hope" (Lithuanian version) with a special extention about the last 10 years of Dr. Kazickas's life was presented in the Kazickas Residence in Vilnius on June 2nd, 2013. Please read about this event in Lithuanian, or in English on the KFF webpage "Odyssey of Hope".

Juratė Kazickas and Zenonas Bedalis, KFF Vilnius office Executive Director paid a visit to Craftmanship School "Sodziaus Meistrai" in Rudiskes, Trakai, Lithuania.