The Andrew Carnegie Foundation on Friday awarded Brooklyn Public Library a two-year grant of $1 million.
The grant will strengthen and sustain two initiatives. The first will enhance the library’s services for immigrants, while the second is designed to help teens succeed in school, building a foundation for economic mobility in adulthood.
The grant will allow BPL to expand English language classes and to provide one-on-one support for navigating complex systems like writing a job application, renting an apartment, or applying for an id card.
In addition, the grant will cover an expansion of citizenship classes, legal aid clinics, hiring events, and coaching for immigrant job seekers and entrepreneurs. The grant will allow BPL to continue a successful program where immigrants can earn credentials for work in the hospitality industry while learning English.
“Brooklyn Public Library’s sixty-two branches have long been centers of learning and opportunity," Linda E. Johnson, president of Brooklyn Public Library, said in a statement. "This generous grant from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation will allow us to further expand programs and services for teens and immigrants, removing barriers to civic participation and ensuring all New Yorkers can advance their educational and economic goals."
The second initiative is designed to support teens who are just beginning their journeys to become productive and engaged members of our community. BPL will also host a college fair and hire two part-time college coaches to support teens with college applications, financial aid, and test preparation. In addition, BPL also plans to partner with The Opportunity Network, a provider of various college and career access services.
"People come to libraries to build the knowledge and skills they need to participate fully in civic and economic life,” said Ambika Kapur, a program director for Education at the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. "Brooklyn Public Library has been doing that work for generations, and we're proud to continue our support for it — helping immigrants navigate new systems and teens pursue higher education and opportunity.”
