Nonprofit is One of 10 Tri-State Grant Winners Out of More Than 500 Applicants
AUGUST 11, 2022, NEW YORK, NY – NBC Universal awarded $35,000 to the nonprofit Write on Sports, Inc. (WoS) through its WNBC/WNJU Project Innovation grant challenge. WoS was among only 10 winners out of 500 applicants who received the funds for having established innovative and effective programming in the areas of community engagement, culture of inclusion, next generation storytelling and youth education and empowerment.” WoS (writeonsports.org) inspires middle school students from under-served communities to improve their writing skills and build self-confidence through the tools of sports journalism.
“This wonderful gift from NBC Universal will help WoS continue to grow its literacy programs in New Jersey communities such as Newark, Kearny, Hillside, Camden, and the Oranges and enhance its partnership with colleges, universities and middle schools in New Jersey and beyond,” said Byron Yake, founder and executive director of WoS. Write on Sports, which celebrates its 17th year in 2022, opened six new after-school programs in Newark this year and is starting new programs in Camden and Hillside.
“Since launching Project Innovation five years ago, we have seen our grants generate positive change in our Tri-State communities – creating jobs, educating young people and delivering critical services for those who need it most,” said Eric Lerner, President and General Manager of WNBC. “This year, we are awarding more individual Project Innovation grants than we ever have before. These community investments raise WNBC’s total Project Innovation funding to more than $1.3 million dollars over the past five years.”
“The non-profit community continues to develop creative ways to better serve the Tri-State. These grants will further fuel this innovative spirit, leading to stronger, more efficient, and more effective programs that make a difference,” said Cristina Schwarz, President and General Manager of WNJU. “WNJU is proud to award these competitive grants to this year’s Project Innovation winners and we look forward to their continued service to – and success in the communities we all call home.”
About Write on Sports
Write on Sports (WoS) was founded in 2005 by Byron Yake, a former sports writer for the Associated Press in Pittsburgh and sports editor and a senior executive at The AP in New York. In 2006, WoS partnered with Montclair State University’s Broadcast Department, The Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center and the Montclair School System to launch the first WoS summer camp program. Through the years, WoS has opened multiple summer camps and after-school programs to help middle school students from underserved communities develop reading and writing skills and build self-confidence using the lens of sports and the tools of journalism. Middle school students enhance their critical thinking and learn how to effectively tell stories at tuition-free writing programs. Based in South Orange, NJ, WoS is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Shannon Schmitt, WoS
973-330-7674
Shannon@writeonsports.org
Alexandra Trochanowski (WNBC/WNJU)
212-664-6871
Alexandra.Trochanowski@nbcuni.com
