BizWorld Foundation Donates BizWorld Kits to Hurricane Katrina Victims

Jan 11, 2006
BizWorld Press Release

BizWorld kits will replace materials lost in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina

SAN FRANCISCO & NEW ORLEANS – January 11, 2006 – The BizWorld Foundation, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to teaching entrepreneurship and business skills to kids, donated 100 BizWorld kits to Louisiana teachers in need. The donation will support the many educators who have been struggling to find resources after loosing years of teaching material in the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

“Creativity and problem solving are what life is all about in Louisiana after the storms,” remarked Judy McIntyre, Supervisor of Gifted and Talented Programs, Louisiana Department of Education. “Many teachers lost everything when the storms destroyed their homes and schools. The BizWorld kits will put a much needed resource into teachers' hands.”

Established in 1997 and headquartered in San Francisco, the BizWorld Foundation is a national non-profit organization that provides financial education curricula for 3rd through 8th grade students. BizWorld empowers students by providing them with the knowledge, skills and awareness they need to establish a foundation for future financial responsibility and economic independence. To date, the BizWorld Foundation has reached over 100,000 students in all 50 states and in 84 countries.

As part of the BizWorld program, students will learn the basics of business, entrepreneurship, and money management as they start and run their own friendship bracelet companies. Serving as the presidents and vice presidents of their companies, students design, manufacture and market and sell their bracelets in a simulated marketplace.

“The friendship bracelets will provide a wonderful tie to social and emotional issues connected to this natural disaster and an opportunity for teachers and students to discuss their feelings about starting over in a new place or rebuilding in an old place,” said Ms. McIntyre.

“We hope these educational resources and the BizWorld experience can offer support to the students and dedicated educators, who are challenged by the reality of this disaster on a daily basis,” said Jason Orbaugh, the National Program Director for the BizWorld Foundation. Designed to be reusable, the BizWorld kits will provide teachers with a curriculum they can use year after year, helping cut the cost of additional classroom expenses.

For more information about the BizWorld programs or to make a donation to the BizWorld Foundation, please go online at www.bizworld.org or send a check to: The BizWorld Foundation, 444 De Haro Street, Suite #203, San Francisco, CA 94107.