I had the opportunity to work at the PoP Gala in NYC last November and had a great time. I have a few ideas for a fundraiser in where I live to help bring awareness about PoP and raise some money as well. I haven’t yet organized it but hope to soon.

There are many great kids where I go to school, but I think kids focus entirely on their own education, their own future and the pressures that go along with that and rightly so. I also think too many kids are so wrapped up in the social aspects of school that they lose sight of the educational gifts and resources that have been made available to them and take many things for granted. Thanks to my mom, who introduced me to PoP and its mission, I have developed an awareness of what I have, and more importantly, what many kids around the world don’t have.

To me, PoP’s mission is clear – build schools in areas that need them and do it with local people and young leaders who want to help. Some charitable organizations raise money to give food, water, and shelter which is great in the short term, but I think teaching those same people will help them sustain their own future. I believe that is what PoP does: it helps people help themselves, by investing in their own future. I know how hard I have worked in school to get where I am, and I just can’t imagine doing it without the many teachers, computers, labs, classrooms, and even pencils that helped me along the way. I would love the opportunity to work as an intern at PoP this summer and help any way I can.

Pencils of Promise is seeking a badass video editor/digital media intern for our NYC office. A young, visionary filmmaker with aspirations to shake people in their boots when they see the content this person creates. Someone with the technical and editing skills to craft together dynamic 1-3 minute marketing pieces.

A film student or recent graduate would be ideal. Please be aware that we are seeking someone with the experience and equipment to truly tell our story in a professional manner. This individual will work with the digital team on the creation and editing of videos for use on the PoP’s website as well as our Facebook and YouTube/Vimeo pages.

Responsibilities

• Work with the digital team to brainstorm and storyboard creative concepts for videos, including promotional campaign videos and internal videos
• Publish videos to YouTube/Vimeo and Facebook
• Develop animated pieces for our website and social media channels
• Conceptualize and craft special “thank you” videos for donors and partners
• Organize digital assets and editing library – prepare drive and catalogue footage to ensure the best photos and videos are readily accessible, searchable and always credited to the right photographer/videographer.

Required Skills/Required

• Atleast an intermediate knowledge of video production and editing
• In pursuit of an Associate, Bachelor or Graduate degree at an Accredited Institution in Digital Media, Video Production, or Computer Science, with a strong  understanding of computers and multimedia applications
• Strong working knowledge of Final Cut Studio and the Adobe Creative Suite, including After Effects, Premiere, Photoshop, and Illustrator
• Knowledge of video compression for interactive and online programs
• An understanding of technical aspects of video and audio compression, including codec and/or playback settings and standards for a variety of platforms and devices
• Strong personal interest in all things video, social media and multimedia design
• Super creative with the ability to come up with innovative concepts for videos to spread awareness about our cause and movement.
• Ability to use some of your own equipment and software (a Canon T3i with optional 50mm 1.8d lens is available for your use as well).
• You’re a multi-tasking machine!

Please submit cover letter and portfolio. Apply here or email to carlo@pencilsofpromise.org.

About Baby Buggy

Each month, Baby Buggy serves approximately 1,600 families and 2,000 children in Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, and Washington, DC.

These families are clients of Baby Buggy-supported domestic violence shelters, anti-poverty programs including Single Stop and Harlem Children’s Zone, fatherhood programs like the Bronx Fatherhood Program, educational programs such as Head Start, the International Rescue Committee’s Resettlement Program, and the evidence based Nurse-Family Partnership Program.

Check out these pictures of our Community Engagement Team volunteering their afternoon sorting through baby clothing and supplies to be donated.

Director of Community Engagement, Jocelyn Kmet sorts through piles of baby clothing to be sent off to families in need

One of our Community Engagement interns, Anna Tarassishina shows her enthusiasm towards the adorable items of clothing being donated

Community Engagement intern, Suzanne Maietta displays her hard work filling bags of toys from a recent toy drive competition

Community Engagement interns, Anna Tarassishina and Melissa Berger cuddle up with some donated plush items while counting the inventory of the donations

Find out how you can get involved with Baby Buggy here

PoP’s newest digital storyteller, Chris Battaglia, is currently traversing Laos, recording a bunch of great videos that we can’t wait to share with you guys! Today’s video features some amazing people we want you to meet from our Laos office. Take a look!

Laos PoP Office from Pencils of Promise on Vimeo.

The Edge in College Preparation is an international educational consulting company that specializes in test preparation for the SAT, ACT, SSAT, GRE, and GMAT and admissions counseling for students applying to US universities, graduate, and private schools. This growing company has been featured in many well-known magazines such as Forbes, Elle Girl, and Family Circle.

Prizes include:

PoPstar of the Week: 1-Month FREE subscription to the online SAT prep course!

PoPstar of the Month: 3-Month FREE subscribtion to the online SAT prep course!

PoPstar of the Year: A very special 1-one-1 online tutoring package!

All PoP Supporters: A FREE 5-day trial of the course

Check out more details on The Edge in College Prep packages and get started on your journey towards college acceptance!

***PoPstar of the Year winners will receive 10 hours of FREE 1-on-1 tutoring that can be used  for the SAT, ACT, SAT II, admissions counseling/essay editing, or any K-12 academic subject tutoring. This can either be redeemed online or in person at the New York City office***

Last month, a group of five seniors from the Robert E. Lee High School in Texas, organized a Silent Art Auction in support of the PoP Movement. Read the fantastic write-up about the organization they’ve started, and check out the video they posted on Facebook highlighting the recent event here!

On January 28, 2012, we were anxious, nervous but, overall, ready to make an impact. Truly inspiring, our dedication and preparation settled before our eyes all for one cause, the Pencils of Promise mission of empowering a generation to empower the world. The flashing lights of cameras, the joy of two really big pencils, the gleaming smiles of volunteers, the creativity of works of art, the piercing aroma of food, the sweet ostinato of the violin, and a love for education all encompassed “Empowering Generations through Art”, a silent art auction geared towards spreading awareness of Pencils of Promise. By joining this global cause, we now strive to promote education all around the world.

We, the Robert E. Lee Pencils of Promise officers, share a love for education as seen through our rigorous International Baccalaureate curriculum. Education is a gift; moreover, education is an opportunity for life. As Nelson Mandela expressed, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Providing children with the opportunity to learn not only strengthens oneself, but also the future of the world. Emphatically, passion united us under one purpose to change the world together. Who would have known that a simple Spanish radio talk show could inspire our President, Diana, to initiate a contagion of motivation?

As days, weeks, and months elapsed, we approached the day in which we blossomed as leaders. First, we shared the Pencils of Promise message with our peers hoping for a wave of momentum. We rode this wave until we reached a solid foundation consisting of members, supporters, and monetary funds. Second, we understood that Pencils of Promise must shine brighter than the normal organization on campus. Flyers, announcements, and weekly meetings were vital in keeping our vision of impacting the world alive. At the climax of our organization, we had fundraised enough money through membership fees, Christmas Candy Cane sales, and community donations with the intention of commencing our final push for Pencils of Promise, our silent art auction.

Investing ourselves to raise over $500 allowed us to relay the importance of education in an artistic, compelling, and fun manner. As our guest entered the premise of the art show, a ravishing photographer warmly greeted them with two really big pencils. At that instance they transformed from being a normal community member to being a member of the Pencils of Promise family. If the cute photography set up was not enough to get them involved, then the humble environment consisting of 30 welcoming volunteers surely was pleasing to them. It was difficult to resist the charm radiating from each individual, for unison in sharing what Pencils of Promise is controlled the entire room. Most importantly, the inventiveness that created the 21 works of art shared a wisdom that words cannot express; because of this fact, art was perfect in sharing the purpose of Pencils of Promise.

While soaking in the beauty of each canvas, our guest were treated to cupcakes, cake balls, PoPcorn, other edibles and the musicality of the violinist which paved a path of persuasion for them towards the bidding table. After a year of perseverance, our goal of raising awareness was concluded with captivating speeches by our President, Diana, and Vice-President, Antonio. Eyes were in awe for what we had accomplished, but the true astonishment lied within our hearts since Pencils of Promise was given new life within many outstanding individuals. Though lights went dark after three hours, sunlight shined brightly upon Pencils of Promise and us.

Ultimately, empowerment is within our grasp as a generation. We hope to change the world by raising awareness of Pencils of Promise, and thankfully, we have initiated that vision through “Empowering Generations through Art.”

Diana Ontiveros, President
Antonio Valtierra, Vice-President
Sury Mojica, Secretary
Sujal Patel, Treasurer
Katie Rozell, Historian