PRINCIPAL FOR A DAY® 2025

You’re invited to join PENCIL on

May 15th for Principal For A Day visits! Be a part of this impactful initiative alongside hundreds of NYC leaders, demonstrating your commitment to the success of NYC students and schools.

Register today to secure your spot as Principal For A Day!

Register Here

BECOME A MONTHLY DONOR

We’re proud to share the story of Asher Kennedy, a PENCIL alum, donor, and volunteer. His commitment shows how community support can create lasting change.

As we look ahead to 2025, we invite you to continue supporting PENCIL’s transformative work.

Donate Today

INTERNSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN

The DYCD Ladders for Leaders program offers high school and college students the opportunity to participate in paid 6-week summer internships with leading corporations, non-profit organizations, and government agencies in New York City.

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity! Please share with students, friends, and mentees who might benefit.

Learn More

HOST AN INTERN

PENCIL trains hundreds of students for their summer internships!

Students must complete over 20 hours of pre-employment training to qualify for internships. We also collaborate closely with our partners to create internships that are enriching for students and beneficial for employers alike.

Learn how your company can host an intern this summer!

Register Here

PENCIL’S IMPACT REPORT

PENCIL’s 2023-2024 Impact Report is here!

We’re thrilled to share the incredible strides we made this year: 672 volunteers from 166 businesses partnered with PENCIL to support 12,164 students during the school year and summer!

Read the Report

HAPPY NEW YEAR

On behalf of the entire PENCIL team, we want to wish you a happy and healthy New Year! Your support throughout 2024 has been instrumental in creating opportunities for NYC public school students that wouldn’t otherwise be possible. Thank you for making a difference!

Learn More About PENCIL

PENCIL’s annual Principal For A Day Summit was held on May 8th, 2024, where executive and educators explored the intersection of education, workforce development, and equity, discovering concrete examples of how the business community can engage in hands-on programs that support student success.

The PENCIL team wants to extend a special thank you to the Principal For A Day Summit speakers:

Michael Maslansky

Chief Executive Officer, maslansky + partners

PENCIL Board Member

Heather Cannady

Head of HR for Corporate Functions, Reddit, Inc.

PENCIL Board Member

Mariel Cruz

Partner, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

PENCIL Board Member

Tori Mignott

Senior IT Analyst at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

2016 PENCIL Alumna

Jade Grieve

NYC Department of Education Chief of Student Pathways

Additionally, Dr. Crystal Bonds, Community School Superintendent, NYC Department of Education, joined PENCIL in honoring Christopher Hayward, President and Partner of GoldenTree Asset Management, and PENCIL Board Chair Emeritus, for his 20-Year Journey with PENCIL!

Thank you to everyone who joined PENCIL’s Principal For A Day Summit! Click here to view, download and share the beautiful photos from the summit.

Click here to see highlight for Principal For A Day school visits! #PFAD2024

PRINCIPAL FOR A DAY® 2024

You’re invited to join PENCIL on May 9th for Principal For A Day visits! Be a part of this impactful initiative alongside hundreds of NYC leaders, demonstrating your commitment to the success of NYC students and schools.

Register today to secure your spot as Principal For A Day!

Register Here

GREAT GIVE GRAD

Join PENCIL as we celebrate the close of the 2024 school year and kickstart our fundraising campaign for future NYC graduates!

If you submit a graduation photo, you’ll automatically be entered into our raffle, which will be drawn on April 4th.

Share Your Photo to Enter to Win

INTERNSHIP TRAINING

PENCIL has trained nearly 600 students, and counting, for their summer internships, marking the return to in-person internship training!

Students must complete over 20 hours of pre-employment training to qualify for internships. We also collaborate closely with our partners to create internships that are enriching for students and beneficial for employers alike.

Learn how your company can host an intern this summer!

Email to Inquire

LEGAL INDUSTRY ADVISORY GROUP

PENCIL’s latest Legal Industry Advisory Group session was hosted by Perkins Coie for a panel discussion and networking reception.

The group of all-female panelists explored developments in generative AI, with a focus on AI’s impact on the practice of law, AI & Product Counseling, and AI and Equity.

Join the PENCIL community of law firms and general counsel offices!

Email to Inquire

PENCIL’S NEW BOARD CHAIR

PENCIL is thrilled to welcome Joanna Lambert on her appointment as the Board Chair of PENCIL!

Joanna has been a PENCIL board member since 2019 and served as Vice Chair of the Board and Resource Development Committee Chair in 2022 and 2023. Here’s to a new chapter of growth, innovation, and positive change under Joanna’s guidance!

Learn More About PENCIL’s Board of Directors

TEAM PENCIL

Thank you to Team PENCIL, who ran the 2024 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon, raising $5000 on behalf of New York City public school students!

This is one of the many ways you can help PENCIL unlock possibilities by engaging thousands more students in programs that open eyes, open minds, and open doors.

Learn How You Can Get Involved

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

In honor of Black History Month, PENCIL team members visited the Paley Center for the Genius: MLK/X Exhibit, exploring Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X’s legacies. The exhibit highlights their parallel journeys in the Civil Rights movement.

Reflecting on their impact, PENCIL is committed to continuing to champion equality, diversity, and inclusion in our communities and beyond.

Learn More

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

The PENCIL team celebrated Women’s History Month, acknowledging the contributions of our board members, including Heather Cannady and Mariel Cruz, for their invaluable insights during our Board meet and greet and career panel.

Thank you to the remarkable women on PENCIL’s Board for your daily inspiration and commitment to connecting students to success!

Learn More

Don’t miss out—join our email list for the most current updates!

PENCIL’s Celebration of Success

Thank you to everyone who joined us for PENCIL’s Celebration of Success!

With everyone’s support, we exceeded our live appeal fundraising goal! Click here to view, download, and share the beautiful photos of the PENCIL community captured during the event!

Partnership Program Kickoffs

PENCIL’s 2023-24 School Partnership Programs are now underway!

Discover how you can join to cultivate team culture, foster professional leadership development, ignite inspiration in the emerging workforce, and infuse new energy and innovation into your team.

PENCIL’s Impact Report

PENCIL’s Impact Report for the program year 2022-2023 is now out!

We are proud to share that during the 2022-23 school year and summer, 786 volunteers from 133 businesses worked with 11,125 students! Download the report today.

Principal For A Day® 2024

Join us for Principal For A Day on Thursday, May 9th, 2024!

Register now to visit a NYC public school, connect with students, and provide valuable insights into your career path and industry opportunities.

Team PENCIL

Elevate your fitness journey in 2024 by merging health goals with a charitable cause. Run the 2024 United Airlines Half Marathon with PENCIL!

The Team PENCIL application is now open. Register Today!

Volunteer Recognition Party

PENCIL celebrated the school year’s start and recognized Partnership and Volunteer Award recipients at our Kickoff and Recognition Party.

Thank you to the PENCIL community for joining the celebration!

2024 Ladders for Leaders

The Ladders for Leaders program offers high school and college students the opportunity to participate in paid 6-week summer internships with leading corporations, non-profit organizations, and government agencies in NYC.

Share the application with a student today!

Great Give Grad

Be a part of PENCIL’s #GreatGiveGrad campaign next summer!

Share your or your loved one’s graduation photos as we celebrate the close of the 2024 school year and kickstart our fundraising campaign for future NYC graduates!

PENCIL is proud to be an Official Charity Partner of the 2024 United Airlines Half Marathon. The Team PENCIL application is now open.

PENCIL makes it easy for business professionals, educators, and students to work together—in schools and the workplace. Our hands-on programs, including in-school partnerships, mentoring, internships, and immersive experiences like Principal For A Day®, create targeted opportunities to make a real difference in the classroom and beyond.

By joining Team PENCIL, you can help New York City public school students develop their career skills and achieve their goals.

Race Details

Sunday, March 17, 2024

Fundraising Commitment: $1,500

Race Registration: $130 for NYRR members / $160 for non-members

As a member of Team PENCIL, you will be joining a community of active philanthropists who are passionate about raising funds in support of PENCIL’s mission and meeting their own personal fitness goals. Spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Join us and run on behalf of New York City public school students.

All Team PENCIL members will receive:

Guaranteed entry into the 2024 United Airlines Half Marathon

PENCIL t-shirt

A personal, online tool to track your fundraising progress and help you meet your goal

Individualized support and advice from a team of professional fundraisers

The opportunity to help deserving NYC youth to reach their college and career goals

Volunteer opportunities and general access to PENCIL network events.

Your support can help PENCIL unlock the possibilities by engaging thousands more students in programs that open eyes, open minds, and open doors.

For more information and to register to run in the United Airlines Half Marathon, please reach out to Hannah Immerman at himmerman@pencil.org.

PENCIL’s 2022 Annual Report

PENCIL’s 2022 Annual Report is available now! Discover our achievements, including school year and summer programs, events like Principal For A Day®, and more. Download to see how PENCIL connects students to success!

PENCIL Interns

This summer, PENCIL’s summer employment team trained and placed hundreds of NYC high school and college students in internships. We extend our appreciation to the many summer interns and their supervisors who shared their success stories throughout the season!

PENCIL’s Celebration of Success

Join our growing group of esteemed sponsors on November 1st for PENCIL’s annual Celebration of Success at the iconic, The Pool in the Seagram Building! We’ll come together to celebrate our work in connecting students to success and all of the accomplishments of the students.

PENCIL’s School Year Kickoff Party

You’re invited to PENCIL’s School Year Kickoff and Volunteer Recognition Party! Join us on Wednesday, October 4th as we celebrate the start of the school year and honor the recipients of our Partnership and Volunteer Awards! RSVP Today!

Welcoming PENCIL’s Newest Staff

We are excited to welcome our newest members to the PENCIL Team as we
continue to expand: Angelie Singla, Vice President of Growth and Evelyn Davis, Operations Manager.

RXR Career Explorers

This summer, PENCIL and RXR supported a cohort of 22 New Rochelle High School students in a project-based internship designed to promote career awareness, exploration and preparation in the real estate industry. A special thank you to the RXR team for providing students with this exciting internship opportunity, a look into the real estate industry and career mentorship.

PENCIL’s 2023 Volunteer Awards

PENCIL is honoring individual volunteers who have gone above and beyond in their PENCIL partnership. Congratulations to the following volunteers: James Mazzullo, Beth Kolman, Victoria Prodan, Brianna Kostecka, Bryan Rojas, Cameca Bacchus, Gingi Pica, and Kate Grimes!

PENCIL’s 2023 Partnership Awards

PENCIL is thrilled to announce this years Partnership Award winners: Snohetta & New Heights Middle School, Liberty Dental & Union Square Academy for Health Sciences, and Infosys Foundation USA and High School of Arts and Technology, High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology, and Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Education High School!

PENCIL is thrilled to reveal the nominees for the 2023 Partner Awards!

Annually, the PENCIL program team assesses the partnerships from the year and chooses three programs to receive the Partnership Awards. This year, we’re celebrating:

Veteran Award: Snøhetta and New Heights Middle School

This long-standing partnership is receiving recognition because they have continued to innovate, inspire and motivate scholars to explore careers in STEM year after year.

Innovative Award: Infosys Foundation USA and High School of Arts and Technology, High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology, and Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Education High School

This partnership between Infosys Foundation USA and multiple schools is being honored for their hard work to implement fresh ideas to expand the Infy App Challenge and increase PENCIL’s impact, serving more scholars and mentors than we ever have before.

Emerging Award: Liberty Dental and Union Square Academy for Health Sciences

This partnership successfully completed its second year, offering students the chance to engage in an industry-based project centered around dental hygiene and oral health within NYC communities. It provided valuable insights into the dental industry.

PENCIL is thrilled to reveal the nominees for the 2023 Volunteer Awards!

Every year, we acknowledge outstanding individual volunteers who have exceeded expectations in their PENCIL partnerships. This year, our honorees are:

James Mazzullo and Beth Kolman of Infosys Foundation USA

They are being recognized for the care and commitment they have put into working with students and educators throughout the expansion of the Infy App Challenge!

Victoria Prodan of JPMorgan Chase & Co.

She is being recognized for her mentorship and for supporting PS/IS 226 Alfred De B. Mason students to critically think about their individual paths and the larger world around them.

Brianna Kostecka and Bryan Rojas of OUTFRONT Media

They are receiving recognition for their warm and inviting presence during the partnership. Students had the opportunity to visit OUTFRONT’s corporate office and explore the numerous career prospects the company has to offer.

Cameca Bacchus of Deloitte

Cameca is being recognized for her unwavering commitment and enthusiasm in collaborating with Richard R. Green High School and its students, serving as an example of an exceptional volunteer.

Gingi Pica of L+M Development Partners

Gingi is being acknowledged as a dedicated team player who is committed to both the students and PENCIL’s mission of connecting NYC public school students to success.

Kate Grimes of Snøhetta

Kate is receiving recognition for her unwavering commitment, dedication, and active role in crafting curriculum for each session, guaranteeing that students have hands-on building opportunities.

This summer, PENCIL and RXR supported a cohort of 22 New Rochelle High School students in a project-based internship designed to promote career awareness, exploration and preparation in the real estate industry.

During this Career Explorers program, interns had the opportunity to attend a career panel where, Michael Aisner, RXR Senior Vice President for Property Management and Shar Nims, RXR Senior Workplace Experience Director, shared insights into their roles, discussed their career trajectories, and addressed thoughtful questions from the interns.

 

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As part of promoting career awareness, exploration and preparation in the real estate industry, PENCIL’s Career Explorers interns joined RXR in a site visit of their newest housing development in New Rochelle at One Clinton Park.

 

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A special thank you to the RXR team for providing students with this exciting internship opportunity, a look into the real estate industry and career mentorship: Rich Stein, Irina Collazo, Alex Shapanka, Kim Sarrantonio, Nick Costagliola, Brendan Burke, Letisha Dass, Shar Nims, Turku Colak, and Greg Maugeri!

This summer, PENCIL supported students who participated in the Career Explorers Program, a paid work-based learning experience designed to promote career awareness, exploration, and preparation. Students in this program were paired with professional mentors who provided regular guidance and feedback while also creating networking and other career exploration opportunities.

Tailored to their interests, students joined industry-specific cohorts in technology, business, law, or healthcare, attending workshops focused on the development of career readiness skills and career exploration opportunities.

To conclude the program, students finalized and presented capstone projects aligned with their chosen industry.

Here are some noteworthy capstone projects from each cohort:

HEALTHCARE:

-A software addressing physician burnout by streamlining administrative work and promoting mental health awareness.

-A software facilitating the implementation of AI in the healthcare system for hospitals to diagnose and treat patients more efficiently and accurately.

BUSINESS:

-A business offering complete customization of soccer balls, targeting a younger audience of soccer fans as the industry continues to grow in the United States.

-A user-friendly app enabling homeowners to automate and manage all their smart devices, including lighting, thermostats, security cameras, and smart locks.

TECHNOLOGY:

-An app educating users about the racial wealth gap and enhancing financial literacy by offering courses and open forums for user communication.

-A website created to raise awareness about how human activities negatively impact animals.

LEGAL:

-The Chelsea Manning case was presented, with the student’s conclusion that whistleblowing can help lead society to a corruption-free environment.

-The Twitter v. Taamneh ET AL. case was presented, with the student’s conclusion that social media platforms must be held liable for the content on their platforms due to the increase in harmful misinformation.

Kudos to each and every Career Explorers cohort! As they continue to forge their paths ahead, we extend our best wishes for continued success in all their future endeavors.

Principal For A Day® 2023

This year, PENCIL organized nearly 150 Principal For A Day visits across all 5 boroughs, reaching thousands of NYC public school students!

Thank you to Paul Hastings for hosting the Principal For A Day Summit, where executive participants and educators received an informative orientation and inspiration to prepare them for their visits.

PENCIL’s Great Give

Thanks to everyone’s support, we raised over $130,000 with almost 250 donations, and donations are still coming in daily! Your help has greatly contributed to PENCIL’s impact in NYC. Thank you!

Shoutout to our top three fundraising teams: DTCC, Deloitte and PENCIL’s Executive Leadership Council

App Creation Competitions

PENCIL’s App Creation Competitions asked students to harness the power of technology and become both creators of innovative apps and catalysts for positive change within their communities.

Learn about the impressive students who brought together their innovation and creativity to develop socially conscious apps.

Partnership Programs

PENCIL is excited to wrap up yet another successful school year of our partnership programs, with our efforts on track to serve over 10,000 NYC public school students!

Learn more about the PENCIL partners that participated in programs this school year.

Legal Industry Advisory Group

PENCIL’s Legal Industry Advisory Group held a Networking & End of Year Party, bringing together students from High School for Global Citizenship, Brooklyn Prep High School, and EPIC South High School.

Thank you to all the law firms and volunteers who actively participated in this year’s sessions!

Public Sector Pathways Program

PENCIL is proud to announce the launch of the Public Sector Pathways Pilot.

With support from the The Pinkerton Foundation, PENCIL piloted this program to ensure high-quality experiences for high school Ladders for Leaders interns placed in city agencies.

Summer Youth Employment

PENCIL’s summer employment team has placed hundreds of NYC high school and college students in summer internships!

Thank you to the companies that joined PENCIL in training hundreds of students as they prepare for summer employment.

PENCIL asked NYC high school students – “What’s your big idea that will be a force for change?”

Technology has the power to change the world and the PENCIL App Creation Competitions asked students to harness the power of technology and become both creators of innovative apps and catalysts for positive change within their communities.

Google App Creation Competition

Students from The Young Women’s Leadership School of Astoria and Urban Assembly Gateway School for Technology engaged in a real-world technology project in their Computer Science classes. Under the guidance of their peers, educators, and Google mentors, these students embarked on the mission to develop socially conscious apps.

The winning team of the 2023 Google App Creation Competition is NYC Bikes: Louisa, Mahima, Jamie, Pema, Alyssa, and Kamilah from The Young Women’s Leadership School of Astoria. Their app is designed to address the safety concerns of bikers while also tackling environmental challenges. By providing a navigation system that prioritizes the well-being of cyclists and reducing CO2 emissions, NYC Bikes aims to make an impact in both safety and sustainability.

Infy App Challenge

Students from Thomas A. Edison CTE High School, High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology and The High School of Arts & Technology were challenged by Infosys Foundation USA to identify a social issue within their community and conceptualize, design, and develop an app that will address one cause or impact of the issue.

The winning team of the the 2023 Infy App Challenge is Team Bamboo: Zainab, Kevin, Jacqueline, Shaila, and Faria from Thomas A. Edison CTE High School. Their app SafeGen, is designed for youth to navigate mental health by providing access to a wealth of information, support, and self-discovery tools, SafeGen is an app “made by the youth, for the youth,” aiming to positively impact the well-being and resilience of its users.

 

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PENCIL is proud to acknowledge the achievements of all the students who participated in these programs. Their passion, creativity, and dedication serve as an inspiration to us all. Through their innovative ideas, they have proven that the youth possess the power to shape a brighter future for themselves and their communities. Congratulations to each and every participating student!

PENCIL is excited to wrap up yet another successful school year of our partnership programs, with our efforts on track to serve over 10,000 NYC public school students!

Here is a highlight reel showcasing the impact of our programs, bringing together business professionals, educators and students to open eyes, open minds, and open doors:

 

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Thank you to the PENCIL partners that participated in programs this school year:

NEW YORK APPELLATE DIVISION OF THE SUPREME COURT, FIRST JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT, BANK OF AMERICA MERRILL LYNCH, BLOOMBERG, DELOITTE, DOTDASH MEREDITH, DTCC, EMPIRE BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD, ERNST & YOUNG, EVERCORE, GOLDENTREE ASSET MANAGEMENT, GOLDMAN SACHS, GOOGLE, GREYSTAR, HOULIHAN LOKEY, INFOSYS, JETBLUE, JPMORGAN CHASE, L+M DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS, LIBERTY DENTAL PLAN, M&T BANK, MARKETAXESS, MASLANSKY + PARTNERS, OGILVY, OUTFRONT MEDIA, PWC, REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, SAATVA, SALESFORCE, SNOHETTA, WEIL, GOTSHAL & MANGES LLP

PENCIL’s annual Principal For A Day Summit was hosted by Paul Hastings on May 9th, 2023, where executive participants and educators received an informative orientation and inspiration to prepare them for their visits. The PENCIL team wants to extend a special thank you to the Principal For A Day Summit speakers!

David C. Banks
NYC Public Schools Chancellor

Gerd Alexander
Partner, Paul Hastings
PENCIL Board Member

Jillian Joseph
Managing Counsel, Nuveen

Anita and Kiona
Brooklyn Preparatory High School Students

Allison Persad
Principal, The Young Women’s Leadership School of Astoria

Roger Arrieux
NYC Managing Director, Deloitte

Christopher B. Hayward
President and Partner GoldenTree Asset Management, LP
PENCIL Board Chair

Keith Howard
DYCD Commissioner

During the summit, Jessica Bynoe, President of PENCIL, announced a new PENCIL initiative to support and inspire female students in NYC’s public schools. The Women’s Leadership Initiative is spearheaded by prominent finance and technology leaders Joanna Lambert and Sarah Diamond. Stay tuned for the official launch event! Furthermore, the seeds for dozens of new partnerships were planted!

Thank you to everyone who joined PENCIL’s Principal For A Day Summit! Click here to see highlight for Principal For A Day school visits!

Principal For A Day®2023

On May 10th, PENCIL will once again host Principal For A Day, with in-person visits to schools! This year, there will be 250 executives visiting NYC public schools across all 5 boroughs. Be part of this defining moment by showing NYC students and schools that you are committed to their success. Register today to secure your spot as Principal For A Day!

Ladders for Leaders Internship Kickoff

PENCIL hosted the 2023 Ladders for Leaders Internship Kickoff!

PENCIL staff had the honor of awarding certificates for Excellence in Internship Supervision and celebrating the start of Internship training.

Internship Training

Hundreds of students have begun internship training! Last year, A+E Networks, Bloomberg, DTCC, SL Green, and Weil as well as dozens of local businesses like Awisco, nonprofits like YUCA Arts, and city agencies hosted PENCIL interns! Learn how you can host an intern this summer.

Legal Industry Advisory Group

PENCIL has launched a Legal Industry Advisory Group to lead coordinated efforts among law firms and general counsel offices in New York City to invest in early career exposure, mentorship, skill development, and internships for PENCIL students.

Women’s History Month

In celebration of Women’s History Month, PENCIL is highlighting our female Board Members: Heather Cannady, Mariel Cruz, Nicole Degnan, Asya Johnson, Joanna Lambert and Cindy Ma.

Thank you for inspiring us every day and connecting our students to success!

Team PENCIL

Team PENCIL ran the 2023 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon on behalf of New York City public school students, raising over $10,000!

Run the 2023 TCS NYC Marathon with PENCIL! The Team PENCIL application is now open.

Welcoming PENCIL’s Newest Staff

We are thrilled to welcome 4 new members to the PENCIL Team: Charles Parker and Katherine Gan, Program Managers, Claudine Cintron, Program Associate and Raziyah Eure, Associate Director of Internships!

App Creation Workshops

We are recruiting volunteers from the technology industry to mentor student groups from the Young Women’s Leadership School of Astoria and Urban Assembly Gateway School as they develop socially conscious apps with support from their peers and educators.

PENCIL is proud to be an Official Charity Partner of the 2023 TCS NYC Marathon. 

The Team PENCIL application will open March 1st, 2023. 

PENCIL makes it easy for business professionals, educators, and students to work together—in schools and the workplace. Our hands-on programs, including in-school partnerships, mentoring, internships, and immersive experiences like Principal For A Day®, create targeted opportunities to make a real difference in the classroom and beyond. 

By joining Team PENCIL, you can help New York City public school students develop their career skills and achieve their goals. 

Race Details 

-Sunday, November 5, 2023 

-Fundraising Commitment: $2,500 

-Race Registration: $255 for NYRR members / $295 for non-members  

As a member of Team PENCIL, you will be joining a community of active philanthropists who are passionate about raising funds in support of PENCIL’s mission and meeting their own personal fitness goals. Spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.  

Join us and run on behalf of New York City public school students. 

All Team PENCIL members will receive:

-Guaranteed entry into the 2023 TCS NYC Marathon 

-PENCIL shirt 

-A personal, online tool to track your fundraising progress and help you meet your goal 

-Individualized support and advice from a team of professional fundraisers 

-The opportunity to help NYC youth reach their college and career goals 

-Volunteer opportunities and general access to PENCIL network events 

If you are interested in joining Team PENCIL, please contact Hannah Immerman at  himmerman@pencil.org . 

Your support can help PENCIL unlock the possibilities by engaging thousands more students in programs that open eyes, open minds, and open doors. 

As PENCIL closes out another year, our community has a tremendous amount to be proud of and even more to be excited for in the new year. This year brought with it change, renewal, and growth. From the rapid expansion of our internship program to the return of in-person Principal For A Day to new program and revenue strategies, this has been a year to prepare us for the future ahead. Please consider supporting that future of connecting even more students to success by making a donation today. Thanks to support from the PENCIL community, here are just a few highlights and accomplishments from the year:

–7,500 students participated in PENCIL programs this year which is 50% more than last year.

–Nearly 800 young people engaged in paid internships or work-based learning programs, like Career Explorers, this summer which is 35% higher than pre-pandemic numbers.

–More than a dozen new corporate partners joined as sponsors of and participants in PENCIL programs. Partners included Google, Stifel, M&T Bank, Buzzer, Molina Healthcare, Langan Engineering, Mintz, Paul Weiss, Davis Polk, Perkins Coie, and McDermott.

–Principal For A Day® returned live and in-person at nearly 150 schools and we hosted the inaugural Principal For A Day Summit featuring Chancellor David C. Banks and prominent corporate leaders at Google’s new space at Pier 57.

–We launched PENCIL’s Great Give: 48 Hours to Fund the Future and raised $165,000 through crowd funding efforts of our supporters and volunteers.

–In partnership with The BE Consultancy, our team completed a 6-session training series on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging and developed a strategic plan to embed these values throughout our work and workplace.

–PENCIL welcomed eight new team members this year to build our capacity across programs, fund development, and operations.

–After conducting a 3-year retrospective evaluation of our programs, we released a series of three research briefs with observations and recommendations to strengthen programs and impact at PENCIL and beyond.

–Our community came together for our first Celebration of Success and raised over $500,000 in support of our work.

We rely on the generosity of people like you to make this work possible. Your donations will allow PENCIL to continue to build and support powerful programs that transform students’ lives. The time to support this work has never been better as there is a fervent commitment in NYC to ensure all young people have access to personally fulfilling careers and economic security and PENCIL has a major role to play in achieving that vision! Our city and our organization are both at the precipice of great things for young New Yorkers and we cannot wait for you to be a part it!

New York City’s time it now! PENCIL’s time is now! The time to support this important work is now!

DONATE NOW

PENCIL’s Celebration of Success

Thank you to everyone who joined us for PENCIL’s first Celebration of Success! With everyone’s support, we were able to raise over $500,000! Check out PENCIL’s Virtual Program that highlights stories of the many students, partners, and volunteers who have worked together over the past few years.

Partnership Program Kickoffs

PENCIL has kicked off the 2022-23 School Partnership Programs! PENCIL programs are a great way to build team culture, support professional leadership development, inspire the next generation of the workforce, and spur new energy and innovation in your team.

PENCIL’s Impact Report

PENCIL’s Impact Report for the program year 2021-2022 is now out!

We are proud to share that over 1,246 volunteers from 185 businesses worked with over 7,400 students this year.

Team PENCIL

Team PENCIL ran the 2022 TCS NYC Marathon on behalf of New York City public school students, raising over $13,000!

Run the 2023 United Airlines Half Marathon with PENCIL! The Team PENCIL application is now open.

PENCIL Staff DEI Training

PENCIL strives to build an equitable future for NYC public school students. With this goal in mind, PENCIL makes it a mission to continue the important work of diversity, equity and inclusion training with our team through The Be Consultancy.

PENCIL’s Volunteer Celebration

PENCIL was joined by volunteers and partners as we celebrated in-person for the first time since 2020 and honored the recipients of our Partnership and Volunteer Awards from the past three years!

Welcoming PENCIL’s Newest Staff

We are thrilled to welcome 3 new members to the PENCIL Team: Andres Garcia, Operations Manager, Ariana Alessandri, People and Culture Associate and Davina Angus, Vice President of Programs!

Support PENCIL Through AmazonSmile

AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support PENCIL every time you shop, at no cost to you.

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PENCIL’s 2021 Annual Report

PENCIL’s 2021 Annual Report is now out! Every year, PENCIL releases a report highlighting its accomplishments through school year and summer programs, events such as Principal For A Day®, and much more. Download PENCIL’s Annual Report to learn how PENCIL has connected students to success!

PENCIL’s 2022 Volunteer Awards

Each year, PENCIL recognizes individual volunteers who have gone above and beyond in their PENCIL partnership. This year we are honored to celebrate the following volunteers: Emma Glubiak, Christine Nieves, Yuna Tsuji, Jose Sanchez, Wendy Dominguez!

PENCIL’s 2022 Partner Awards

Each year, the PENCIL program team reflects on the partnerships from the year and selects three programs to receive Partnership Awards. This year we are celebrating Empire & Longwood Prep Academy, Snohetta & New Heights Middle School and DTCC & Hudson High School Of Learning Technologies!

Reimagining Pathways to Student Success

PENCIL is proud to release the final of three briefs in our series: Reimagining Pathways to Student Success: PENCIL’s Observations & Recommendations From a Three-Year Retrospective. Brief #3: Building Relationships Through Developmentally Aligned Program Modalities.

PENCIL Interns

PENCIL has had its most successful summer yet! This summer, working along Mayor Adam’s universal summer youth employment innovation, PENCIL officially hired nearly 800 paid interns. Thank you to all of the companies that took on PENCIL interns as we continue to connect students to success!

Career Explorers

This Summer, PENCIL and RXR Reality supported a cohort of 17 New Rochelle High School students in a paid project-based internship. Along with their capstone projects related to Real Estate Development, the New Rochelle High School students joined RXR in a site visit of one of their project buildings, 1 Clinton Park in New Rochelle.

PENCIL’s Legal Industry Advisory Group

PENCIL is launching its Legal Industry Advisory Group, which offers an opportunity to lead coordinated efforts across the legal industry in New York City to invest in early career exposure, mentorship, skill development, and internships for PENCIL students.

PENCIL Welcomes our 2022-23 Partners

As we begin to kick off the partnership programs over the next couple of months, we look forward to continuing to bring together business professionals, educators and students to open eyes, open minds, and open doors. Thank you to the PENCIL partners participating in programs this school year!

This Summer, PENCIL and RXR Reality supported a cohort of 17 New Rochelle High School students in a paid project-based internship designed to promote career awareness, exploration and preparation. 

Students in the PENCIL RXR Career Explorers Program were paired with a professional mentor at RXR who provided regular guidance and feedback as the students worked on Industry specific Capstone projects related to Real Estate Development.  Each Career Explorer had the opportunity to present their Capstone Project to a group of their, peers, RXR Mentors, and RXR Realty employees. 

 

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Additionally, the New Rochelle High School students had the chance to join RXR in a site visit of one of their project buildings, 1 Clinton Park in New Rochelle.

RXR mentors Joseph​ Dziwura, James Singleton and Greg Maugeri gave the students a tour of the building as well as a walk through of the current construction site.

Thank you to the RXR team for facilitating the trip and for another successful year of Career Explorers!

PENCIL is thrilled to welcome all of the 2022-23 school year partners!

As we begin to kick off the partnership programs over the next couple of months, we look forward to continuing to bring together business professionals, educators and students to open eyes, open minds, and open doors.

Thank you to the PENCIL partners participating in programs this school year:

NEW YORK APPELLATE DIVISION OF THE SUPREME COURT, FIRST JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT

BANK OF AMERICA MERRILL LYNCH

BLOOMBERG

DELOITTE

DOTDASH MEREDITH

DTCC

EMPIRE BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD

ERNST & YOUNG

EVERCORE

GOLDENTREE ASSET MANAGEMENT

GOLDMAN SACHS

GOOGLE

GREYSTAR

HOULIHAN LOKEY

INFOSYS

JETBLUE

JPMORGAN CHASE

L+M DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS

LIBERTY DENTAL PLAN

M&T BANK

MARKETAXESS

MASLANSKY + PARTNERS

OGILVY

OUTFRONT MEDIA

PWC

REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS

SAATVA

SALESFORCE

SNOHETTA

WEIL, GOTSHAL & MANGES LLP

If you didn’t have the opportunity to attend PENCIL’s Corporate Partner Orientation, CLICK HERE to watch the recording.

PENCIL is excited to announce the nominees of the 2022 Partner Awards!

Each year, the PENCIL program team reflects on the partnerships from the year and selects three programs to receive Partnership Awards. This year we are celebrating:

Emerging Award: Empire & Longwood Prep Academy

The mentors from Empire have continuously worked hard to provide an engaging experience for the students at Longwood Prep Academy. This year it was the only school partnership program which held all sessions in-person. We were able to facilitate a new session on mental health, and the students were fully engaged. Marie and Jose have been great mentors and they continue to push for a curriculum that focuses on intellectually stimulating students.

 

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Innovative Award: Snohetta & New Heights Middle School 

The Snohetta team works hard every year to plan and design a different creative project for scholars to work on and have ownership of. This year, 6^th graders from New Heights MS worked with Snohetta mentors to conceptualize, draw,  design and build their own lamp based on an element of their choosing (air, earth, water, or fire). Each student created a wholly unique lamp based on their individual visions and constructed it by themselves.

 

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Veteran Award: DTCC & Hudson High School Of Learning Technologies 

DTCC continued their long partnership with HHSLT! DTCC organized the first PENCIL in-person session since the pandemic began which was a huge success. The PENCIL school contact, Mr. Pandolfino looks forward to working with PENCIL again next year.  DTCC also deepened its commitment to PENCIL by expanding to another partnership school.

 

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Learn how you can begin your journey as a PENCIL Partner!

PENCIL is proud to release the last of three briefs in our series:

Reimagining Pathways to Student Success: PENCIL’s Observations & Recommendations From a Three-Year Retrospective

Brief #3: Building Relationships Through Developmentally Aligned Program Modalities

By Jessica Bynoe, Devaughn D. Fowlkes, Keith A. Howey & Katje Lilah King

Through both virtual and in-person program modalities PENCIL works to help students develop meaningful relationships with volunteers through facilitated processes. Students and volunteers engage in activities to get to know each other as people. Volunteers are encouraged to share stories about challenges as much as successes. Students are challenged by volunteers in positive ways to aspire to stretch goals. These connections help students internalize that there are adults outside their families or social circles that care about and support their success.

Young people with three or more caring adults in their life are more likely to achieve their goals. ii How young people build and trust those relationship vary, especially across age and environment. Therefore, it is important to understand what programs modalities work best for different age groups as they build meaningful connections.

DOWNLOAD THE PAPER HERE

PRINCIPAL FOR A DAY® 2022 

On May 19th, PENCIL once again hosted in-person and virtual Principal For A Day visits! There were over 120 visits across all 5 boroughs yesterday, reaching over 5000 students. After the school visits, PENCIL hosted the Principal For A Day Summit. Read about the keynotes and more!

PENCIL’S GREAT GIVE

PENCIL’s first ever Great Give: 48 Hours to Fund the Future, was a success! Thank you to all of our supporters who donated to our goal of connecting 50,000 students to success by 2023!

REIMAGINING PATHWAYS TO STUDENT SUCCESS

PENCIL is proud to release the second of three briefs in our series: Reimagining Pathways to Student Success: PENCIL’s Observations & Recommendations From a Three-Year Retrospective. Brief #2: Fostering a Foundation of Growth Mindset through School-Based Programs.

PENCIL INTERNS

PENCIL has hit a record number of students placed in summer internships this year! We are more than halfway to our goal of 1,000 high school and college students in paid internships earning a collective $2,250,000 in meaningful, career-placing employment.

PENCIL is proud to release the second of three briefs in our series:

Reimagining Pathways to Student Success: PENCIL’s Observations & Recommendations From a Three-Year Retrospective

Brief #2: Fostering a Foundation of Growth Mindset through School-Based Programs

By Jessica Bynoe, Devaughn D. Fowlkes, Keith A. Howey & Katje Lilah King