THE PETER WESTBROOK FOUNDATION 20 Years of Transforming Lives Through Fencing 2011 ANNUAL REPORT PETER WESTBROOK FOUNDATION Table of Contents Executive Letter Page 3 The Peter Westbrook Foundation, Inc. is a not for profit organization that Program Goals Page 3 utilizes the sport of fencing as a vehicle to develop life skills in young people from PWF Programs Page 4 underserved communities. Success Stories Page 6 Community Corner Page 7 Endowment Fund Page 9 Summary Statement & Activities Page 11 Family of Sponsors & Board Members Page 12 Nzingha Prescod started at the Peter Westbrook Foundation in September 2000 as a precocious child curious about learning the sport of fencing. Today, Nzingha is a student at Columbia University, a three time World Champion and is preparing to qualify for the 2012 United States Olympic Team competing in London next summer. 2 Executive Letter “World Titles and Olympic The 2012 Summer Olympics are almost here Medals certainly make for and the level of excitement and anticipation great press releases (and at the PWF is rising rapidly. With the next believe me we love sending Olympic Games just around the corner, I them out) but the broader can’t help but reflect on how far our organization has come and what we’ve all positive impact that the been able to accomplish together. organization is having on the communities we serve is Our success in the non-Olympic years has equally if not more been just as impressive with Foundation impressive.” fencers earning numerous national and international titles. Peter Westbrook As amazing as the athletic results are, they merely represent the icing on the cake. World Titles and Olympic Medals certainly make for great press releases (and believe me we PETER WESTBROOK FOUNDATION love sending them out) but the broader positive impact that the organization is having on the communities we serve is equally if not more impressive. As you’ll see in a later section on our Academic Enrichment Program, our educational initiatives have led to consistently higher standardized test scores, higher G.P.A.s and better overall academic Several years later I received a letter from humbling experience. outcomes for students in those programs. Kevin, now a decorated Army officer and Iraq Meanwhile, the mentoring and guidance the War veteran. He was eager to share his story None of these stories would be possible organization provides is often literally life so I invited him to come and speak about his without the tireless efforts of my wonderful changing. experiences at an upcoming fund raising all volunteer staff, the generous support of our event. donors or the thoughtful leadership of our Consider for example, one young man who Board of Directors. participated in our program many years ago Listening to Kevin’s testimony that evening named Kevin. He came from a seriously ranks as one of the highlights of my career as I cannot thank you all enough for your troubled family. Several of his brothers had C.E.O of this organization. He explained to a commitment to this program and your already died as a result of gang violence; his captivated audience that the mentoring and commitment to the children and families that remaining brother was headed for a similar guidance he received while at the PWF it touches. fate and sadly so was he. Fortunately, he had literally saved his life. Before the Foundation great talent for fencing and the PWF staff was he never thought it was possible to avoid the My warmest regards, determined to keep him in school, off the fate that had befallen his brothers. Feeling streets and away from the gangs by nurturing empowered with these new life skills he made his innate talent for the sport. Despite several a radical change to the course of his life and years with the PWF and numerous joined the military. He spoke eloquently about Peter Westbrook, interventions, Kevin left the program, as we how he later imparted some of the very same Founder & CEO then believed, to follow in his brothers’ lessons he learned while with the PWF to the footsteps. soldiers he was charged with training for combat. It was an incredibly gratifying and Program Goals The primary objectives of the year-round program are to • Develop their sense of civic duty and community help young people to: service • Foster a sense of community inspired by a common love • Equip themselves with the life skills that enable them to of fencing take control of their futures • Strive for academic excellence Fencing is an ideal educational tool because it promotes • Develop leadership skills development of integrity, honorable personal conduct, • Build self confidence patience and respect for others. Above all, fencing promotes • Gain exposure to people from diverse cultural and intellectual growth and maturity because it challenges the socioeconomic backgrounds individual to think both tactically and strategically to solve • Learn about healthy living problems and overcome obstacles. 3 The effectiveness and success of our academic program has increased dramatically with the opening of our tutoring center. PETER WESTBROOK FOUNDATION PETER WESTBROOK FOUNDATION PWF Programs Participants international competitions. All participants in the program are awarded scholarships to defray the costs of fencing club memberships, coaching, competitions fees and equipment. Girls and boys between the ages of eight and eighteen are eligible for the program. Currently, most participants are The athletes are required to attend monthly meetings conducted residents of underserved communities and from single-parent by the training staff and a summer training camp, maintain at households within the five boroughs of New York City, Long least a 3.0 grade point average, as well as volunteer their time Island, Westchester County and New Jersey. Approximately to mentor younger fencers in the Saturday Fencing Program. 85% of the participants are African-American and Latino youth, with the remaining 15% being of Asian and Caucasian Athletes are trained by the Foundation’s international roster of descent. coaches, comprised of Olympians and instructors with extensive competitive and athlete development experience. Saturday Fencing Program Each coach acts as a mentor by monitoring each student’s academic performance to ensure that athletes are balancing The PWF teaches the sport of fencing to approximately 150 their responsibilities to study as hard in school as they train in children, ages eight to eighteen. The program is held every the fencing gym. Coaches also chaperone athletes during trips Saturday morning from 9:00 am to noon, September through to domestic and international competitions, often acting as a June. motivator, cheerleader, friend and counselor to their students. The Saturday morning program begins with a series of aerobic, Academic Enrichment Program core and fencing specific exercises led by PWF Olympians. Following the exercises, Peter Westbrook or a guest speaker The PWF Academic Enrichment Program (AEP) is the gives an uplifting talk to the entire class and parents in cornerstone of our educational initiatives. The Program attendance. After the uplifting talk, children are separated into addresses the educational needs of participants by small groups by age and fencing weapon and led by an providing a wealth of academic enrichment and skills illustrious staff of Olympians, National Champions and former development services. National Team members. Shortly after enrollment, an AEP educator determines the After School Leadership Program support needs of each new participant by administering an academic pre-test and reviewing the his/her report cards An elite squad of approximately 40 athletes, who show from the prior school term. The assessment pre-tests are exceptional talent for the sport, are selected for our After based on current state assessments and curriculum, and are School Leadership Program. Athletes train year-round in this organized by grade level. program and adopt a professional training regimen of 4-6 days per week, which is designed to prepare them for domestic and A plan for academic improvement is created during a meeting consisting of the student, his/her guardian and the 4 AEP educator. This plan may include recommendations for tutoring, hard and soft skills development workshops and My son's biggest weakness before starting the program was test taking classes. This level of diversity in instruction that he was not a good reader…I truly feel that the tutoring modalities is needed because our students come from a program has made my son more confident in himself, range of socio-economic levels, with many living in which is reflected in his school work…After only a few communities designated as underserved. weeks of attending the program, I noticed a considerable change in his attitude. He is more comfortable with his In order to determine progress in the program, parents must reading and his teacher even informed me that he now submit all report cards, class exams and teacher reports volunteers to read before his class. This program is truly immediately after they are issued. In addition, AEP amazing! educators submit weekly-session and monthly-recap • ~Jody K., Parent of an AEP Student progress reports. Academic Scholarships The AEP team takes great pride in the breadth and quality of our test preparation courses. In the 2010/2011 school As a result of the overall programs, students have excelled year, students in the Specialized High School Admissions both athletically and scholastically. The success of our student Test (SHSAT) improved their scores on average by 56%. athletes has garnered a number of academic and athletic PETER WESTBROOK FOUNDATION scholarship opportunities at exceptional primary and collegiate Students enrolled in our PSAT and SAT classes also institutions. A few of the institutions at which the Foundation experience strong improvements in their test scores. has helped secure scholarships for athletes include: The AEP is a bi-weekly program, housed in a professional Private Schools space located less than one block from our fencing training The Dwight School facility.