The Lois & Richard Nicotra Foundation has awarded $417,442.82 in grants and scholarships to support various initiatives in Staten Island. The announcement was made during an awards ceremony held on March 15, 2024, at “The Circle” in Bloomfield, highlighting the foundation’s commitment to enhancing community resources and educational opportunities.
During the event, Kristine Garlisi, executive director of the foundation, expressed pride in the largest single amount ever distributed in the foundation’s history. “Today, we will award the largest amount we have ever awarded in one period, $417,442.82: 10 scholarship recipients from our team, Nicotra families, and 122 nonprofit groups,” Garlisi stated. This brings the total contributions to nearly $1.9 million since the foundation’s inception, supporting over 520 organizations and scholarship recipients.
Supporting Education and Community Initiatives
Among the recipients are students from local schools and various nonprofit organizations benefiting from the foundation’s “LOVEducation” initiative. Launched last year, this program aims to enhance access to arts, music, gardening, and cultural experiences in elementary schools. Garlisi noted that $75,000 was gifted in total through $1,000 grants to promote these initiatives.
Students from PS 54, including Ava Valazquez and her classmates, shared how the funding helped beautify their school by painting doors inspired by children’s literature. “With the money donated, we were able to beautify our school by painting the doors with a famous children’s book,” Ava explained. Their engagement with the Nicotras extended to a video exchange about their favorite books, creating a personal connection.
Similarly, students from St. Charles School expressed gratitude for the support received for their horticulture club. Olivia LaBella, along with classmates Ethan and Philip, highlighted projects involving a greenhouse and a water catchment system. “We can’t wait to expand on all of these projects this year,” Olivia remarked, emphasizing the hands-on learning experience the club provides.
Broadway Experience for Staten Island Students
A new initiative announced during the ceremony aims to send 500 seventh-grade students from Staten Island to see the Broadway show Hamilton. This program will cover the costs of tickets, transportation, and commemorative T-shirts, providing many with their first Broadway experience. Lois Nicotra shared her passion for theatre, stating, “On our rare days off, Rich and I love to attend a Broadway show. We want to share that feeling.”
The Nicotras are committed to enriching the lives of local youth and fostering a love for the arts. “As ‘Hamilton’ celebrates its 10th anniversary, we are inspired by the quote: ‘What is a legacy?’ It’s planting seeds in a garden you never get to see,” Lois added, indicating plans to expand the foundation’s efforts in the future.
The location of the ceremony, The Circle, is also notable. It is part of a social enterprise model where the profits from eateries like COMMONS café and Pienza Brick Oven Pizza Café fund the foundation’s grants and scholarships. Richard Nicotra underscored the foundation’s roots in the community, stating, “We are proud to be from Staten Island and grateful for the support of our community.”
The Nicotra Foundation continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting educational initiatives and enhancing community resources in Staten Island, making a meaningful impact on the lives of its residents.
