Counting down to 2026 with some of our favorite memories from this past calendar year!
Adventuring Abroad in Puerto Rico
We kicked off our annual Top 10 of 2025 Calendar Year Recap over on our IG and other social media channels with some incredible memories from GK-DC students’ trip to Puerto Rico back in July.
From exploring Afro-Puerto Rican heritage in Loíza, to kayaking through glowing bioluminescent bays, hiking El Yunque's rainforest waterfalls, and connecting with local youth, our GK leaders experienced culture, adventure, and community in a multitude of ways that will positively impact their leadership abilities and the way they look at the world for years to come.
These intrepid adventurers also toured historic San Juan, tasted authentic mofongo, learned about Taíno traditions, played soccer with new friends, and visited Nuestra Escuela, a school that, like Global Kids, is built on the foundational belief that every student's voice matters.
2025 Awards & Honors for Team GK
Let's take a look back at some of the special recognitions received by several outstanding members of the GK leadership team, plus honors bestowed upon the organization as a whole:
Earlier this fall, Global Kids was named one of City & State Magazine’s 2025 Top Workplaces in NYC
Antonia Brown was honored with the NYCETC Opportunity Award
Olympia Wilson received the 2025 Quality Leadership Award from the Network for Youth
Our incredible VP of Finance, Young Sook Na, was highlighted as one of 2025’s Unsung Heroes by City & State Magazine for her work behind the scenes leveraging the latest technology to streamline fiscal operations at GK HQ.
Executive Director Dominique Jones was recognized as one of PoliticsNY's 2025 Power Players in Education
D.C. Youth Conference in May 2025
GK Youth from our Washington, D.C. schools came together in May 2025 for a day of youth-led workshops, performances, and powerful guest speakers, all centered around the critical topic of Mental Health, a topic that the youth themselves selected. Youth heard from special guest speaker Victor Juárez of Tu Consejería, who shared about the work he is doing to bridge the gap of mental healthcare access among underserved populations in Guatemala.
In addition to games, prizes, and insightful discussions, students also shared resources and strategies for mental health advocacy and building healthy coping mechanisms through art therapy. 🧠💙
Summer 2025 Programs
Throwback to keeping it SCHOOL for the Summer with Global Kids through various summer programs serving youth of all ages, hundreds of internships, and summer-recap-worthy field trips to destinations like Six Flags, Con Edison’s Learning Center, the Bronx Zoo, and the Philadelphia Zoo. ☀️
Middle schoolers matriculating to high school in the fall received vital support from GK to prepare them for success during this critical transitional period, while elementary and middle school students enrolled in Summer Rising participated in hands-on STEM enrichment and community-building activities.
With GK’s support, students were able to spend their summer months gaining real-world experience, building leadership skills and authentic connections, and preparing for the next chapter of their respective academic journeys.
Mental Health Awareness in Middle Schools
At M.S. 266 Park Place Community Middle School, students engaged in mental health awareness workshops led by Global Kids youth leaders. Through guided conversations and activities, students explored self-awareness, support, and advocacy — reinforcing the importance of social-emotional wellness and peer connection.
This experience highlighted the power of youth leadership in creating spaces where mental health is openly discussed and supported.
GK 5K Run/Walk/Push & Family Day
Global Kids held its last fundraising event of the 2025 calendar year with the GK 5K Run/Walk/Push Family Day on Sunday, November 9th, bringing students together to celebrate movement, wellness, and community. Beyond physical activity, the day highlighted teamwork, perseverance, and the importance of getting outside and supporting one another.
Experiences like these remind us how social-emotional wellness and healthy habits go hand in hand, strengthening both mind and body while building lasting connections.
NYC's Annual Youth Conference
Back in May, Global Kids youth leaders brought their vision to life at the Annual Youth Conference, which was generously hosted by York College.
Centered on mental health awareness, this year’s student-selected theme explored the intersection of education, global policy, and wellness while challenging stigmas around psychological and behavioral health.
From designing the conference logo to leading interactive workshops and performances, youth organizers demonstrated the power of leadership, creativity, and peer-driven change. The conference highlighted the importance of safe spaces where young people can speak openly, support one another, and lead conversations that matter.
Senior Extravaganza Celebrates GK's Newest Grads
The Senior Extravaganza in June was a powerful reflection of our College & Career Readiness pillar in action. Bringing together seniors from across NYC, we honored their commitment to planning for their futures; from college pathways to career goals.
As students were recognized with stoles, pennants, and awards, we celebrated not only where they’re headed, but the growth, resilience, and leadership that carried them there. The Class of 2025 will always be part of the Global Kids community, and we are excited to remain part of their journey wherever their paths may lead!
COP30 in Brazil
This November, Yaretzi Vargas, a junior at Renaissance Charter School and dedicated Global Kids leader, took youth leadership to the global stage as she represented Global Kids at COP30 in Belém, Brazil. At COP, the United Nation's annual conference on climate change, Yaretzi participated in international discussions, hands-on workshops, and volunteer initiatives focused on climate action and sustainability, collaborating with youth leaders from around the world.
Beyond the conference, Yaretzi immersed herself in the rich culture, traditions, and environment of Brazil by exploring notable local spots like Mercado Ver-o-Peso, considered to be the largest open-air market in Latin America, and the Rodrigues Alves Zoological-Botanical Garden, a green haven in the bustling city of Belém. This historic space for environmental conservation and scientific education houses more than 2,500 native Amazonian trees and diverse species of regional fauna.
Yaretzi also visited Mangal das Garças Zoobotanical Park, a natural refuge for Amazonian flora and fauna along the banks of the Guamá River featuring dryland forests, floodplains and fields.
Yaretzi took her passion for conservation back to the States, where she is taking an agriculture class at Renaissance Charter School and will facilitate an upcoming segment of Global Kids' Citywide Program to share the knowledge and experiences she gained from her international travels with her peers.
Leadership & Civic Action at PS 96
Closing out our 2025 #GKTop10 with a look back at the incredible student council leaders at PS 96 who, guided by their school's on-site GK staff, participated in a real-world council voting and participatory budgeting process that empowered them to add to the conversation and make their voices heard.
Students learned how to evaluate proposals, facilitate elections, advocate at district meetings, and see civic engagement in action, and their participation delivered tangible results: new air conditioning units for their school cafeteria! (Check out their campaign video below!)
As we conclude this year’s look back at some of our favorite memories, we’re inspired by the leadership, agency, and imagination our students bring to their communities every day, and we can’t wait to share all that lies ahead in 2026.
Happy New Year from all of us at Global Kids! 🎉
