NEW YORK-Since December, the New York City educational nonprofit Global Kids, Inc.(TM) and Alcoa Foundation have partnered to prepare New York City public high school students to attend college and gain the skills necessary to be leaders in the global workforce. The Power of Citizenry Global and Career Readiness Program provides a group of over 325 students from under-resourced NYC public schools with intensive training in personal and professional skill development, exposure to professionals from a range of career paths, and assistance with the college application and financial aid process. Alcoa Foundation is making the program possible with a generous grant to Global Kids in the amount of $40,000.

"The Global and Career Readiness Program has furthered Alcoa Foundation's commitment to enabling diverse youth within traditionally marginalized communities to develop the skills and global perspective necessary to understand complex international developments, respect diverse cultures and traditions, and succeed in the workplace. This commitment, along with Global Kids' proven success in its leadership development and academic enrichment programs, has enabled hundreds of NYC youth to become leaders in their schools and communities and gain the skills vital to 21st century success," said Kathleen W. Buechel, president and treasurer of Alcoa Foundation.

As a result of Alcoa Foundation's support, Global Kids has integrated college and career counseling and assistance with the college application and financial aid process into the school-based and citywide programs within Power of Citizenry, which provide youth with the critical thinking and communication skills necessary to understand international events and, in turn, educate their peers about them.

The partnership has also enabled GK to utilize its network of collaborating partners to provide practical career training and skill building experiences for New York City youth. Through GK's collaborative efforts with the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), the world's leading international affairs think tank, youth have been provided with exposure to influential people from some of the world's most innovative institutions. Through CFR Career Day, youth received advice from leaders at international businesses and organizations. Past speakers included a venture capitalist, a leading scholar on women in the Middle East, and a former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia. In the GK-CFR Take a Global Kid to Work Days students shadow professionals at institutions that have included Morgan Stanley, New York University, a number of public relations firms, the UN Development Programme, the International Rescue Committee, the United States Japan Foundation, and the CFR. And in GK-CFR Roundtables, youth engage in dialogues with CFR Fellows about international political and economic events.

In addition to receiving application and financial aid assistance, participants in the program also had the opportunity to visit a number of public and private colleges and universities in New York and beyond. GK has relationships with both Ramapo College of New Jersey and Adelphi University, which grant scholarships to GK alums.

Over 90% of the Global Kids youth annually graduate from high school and attend college, the majority receiving scholarships and financial support. During the past two years, colleges that GK alums have attended include: Adelphi University, Barnard College, Baruch College, Brandeis University, Brooklyn College, many CUNY and SUNY schools, Colby College, Cornell University, Dickinson College, Fordham University, Hoftsra University, Howard University, Johns Hopkins University, Lafayette College, McGill University, New York University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Ramapo College, St. Johns University, Syracuse University, and Washington College.

About Global Kids, Inc.

Founded in 1989 and incorporated as an independent not-for-profit organization in 1993, Global Kids empowers New York City youth with the knowledge, skills, values and experiences needed to become global citizens and community leaders. Through its leadership development and academic enrichment programs, Global Kids educates youth about critical international and domestic issues and promotes their engagement in civic life and the democratic process. Through professional development initiatives, Global Kids provides educators with strategies for integrating experiential learning methods and international issues into urban classrooms. In 2002-2003, Global Kids reached almost 9,000 teens and educators, and ninety-six percent of the high school seniors who participated in the leadership program are now enrolled in college.

About Alcoa Foundation

In 2003, Alcoa Foundation made $15 million in grants around the world. Established in 1952, Alcoa Foundation is a global resource that actively invests in improving the quality of life in more than 32 countries around the world where Alcoa operates. The Foundation's grants address global and local needs in Areas of Excellence that include: Conservation and Sustainability, Global Education and Workplace Skills, Business and Community Partnerships and Safe and Healthy Children and Families. Alcoa Foundation manages Alcoa's ACTION and Bravo! programs which recognize the volunteer efforts of employees with grants to the organizations they serve. For more information about Alcoa Foundation, visit www.alcoa.com, under Community.

About Alcoa

Alcoa is the world's leading producer and manager of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina facilities, and is active in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components, Alcoa also markets consumer brands including Reynolds Wrap(R) foils and plastic wraps, Alcoa(R) wheels, and Baco(R) household wraps. Among its other businesses are vinyl siding, closures, fastening systems, precision castings, and electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks. The company has 120,000 employees in 41 countries and has been a member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average for 45 years and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes since 2001. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com

Alcoa Inc.

Alcoa Inc.

Alcoa (NYSE:AA) is the world's leading producer and manager of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina facilities, and is active in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components, Alcoa also markets consumer brands including Reynolds Wrap® foils and plastic wraps, Alcoa® wheels, and Baco® household wraps. Among its other businesses are closures, fastening systems, precision castings, and electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks. The company has 129,000 employees in 44 countries and has been named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com

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