Today, I’m super excited to officially announce that FLYTE has picked our next school: Excelsior Academy in Newburgh, New York. Next summer, with your help, 15 students will take their classroom learning into the real world and volunteer in Ecuador!

Newburgh, once a thriving manufacturing center on the Hudson River, has faced deindustrialization and failed urban renewal attempts that have left the town struggling both financially and socially. Complicating the matter, the Newburgh school district resides in what the FBI has repeatedly named one of the ten most dangerous cities per capita in the United States. In short, there is not a lot of opportunity in this district for students to see the world beyond their borders.

Despite these challenges, students from Excelsior Academy are working hard to find creative solutions for helping solve some of the most pressing issues facing their community. While in Ecuador, students will volunteer with a local community organization, travel to El Mitad del Mundo at the Equator, see the Amazon rainforest, and visit the home and museum of Ecuadorian artist and human rights activist, Oswaldo Guayasamin.

“At Excelsior Academy, we strive to create global citizens who recognize their power to enact change at both the local and global level,” said Excelsior teacher Christine McCartney.

While in Ecuador, students will volunteer with a local community organization, travel to El Mitad del Mundo at the Equator, see the Amazon rainforest, and visit the home and museum of Ecuadorian artist and human rights activist, Oswaldo Guayasamin.

“As a school, we believe that when students research, volunteer and learn about leadership, they build the skills necessary to identify issues and work towards transformative change both within and beyond their own community,” said Excelsior teacher Jacqueline Hesse.

Through your support and kindness we’ve already sent 30 kids overseas, many for the first time. Because of you, these kids have a passport and a new outlook on the world.  FLYTE helps provide these students the opportunity to experience the world in ways they otherwise couldn’t otherwise. Together, we’re helping create a new generation of global citizens.

And, given today’s climate, I think it is important than ever to promote global awareness and education…..and we’re proud and excited to be doing that with the students at Excelsior.

How You Can Help

To kick off this partnership, we are participating in the CrowdRise Holiday Charity Challenge for #GivingTuesday to start raising funds for their trip! You can help by donating to FLYTE here.

Your donations will go a long way for these students. For example, a donation of $100 will cover all the meals for 1 student for the entire trip!

If you are thinking about giving to an organization this holiday, please consider donating to help us take our next student explorers to Ecuador! All of the funds raised through the FLYTE Giving Global campaign will go directly towards the cost of this trip to purchase flights, meals, passports, and tours while in Ecuador.

Please also consider sharing this campaign on social media using the hashtags #flyte and #givingtuesday!

Every donation makes a difference, no matter how big or small.

Thank you in advance for your support! We cannot wait for you to travel along with Excelsior Academy as they prepare to journey to Ecuador!

Best,

The FLYTE Crew (Matt and Courtney)