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First Lady Speaks at IWAVE 25th Anniversary

The celebration of the 25th anniversary of the International Women’s Association of Vilnius (IWAV) and the presentation of the Association’s activities took place at the Presidential Palace.

One of the Association’s main initiatives, which has been supported by the Kazickas Family Foundation for many years, is the International Christmas Charity Bazaar(ICCB). The ICCB is organized together with diplomatic and business communities of foreign countries and Lithuanian friends. The funds raised during the Christmas fair are used to finance various NGOs and charity projects. Over the 20 years of the fair’s existence, more than 1.4 million EUR has been raised and more than 100 organizations in Lithuania have been supported.

The IWAVilnius brings together active women, businesswomen, philanthropists, and diplomats from more than 25 countries living in Lithuania. Through its volunteering activities, the Association helps to address social issues in Lithuania.

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The 25th Anniversary Celebration Evening of the Kazickas Family Foundation

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The 25th anniversary celebration evening of the Kazickas Family Foundation

On October 19th, the Kazickas Family Foundation celebrated its 25th anniversary with a gala in Vilnius Town Hall. The goal of the event was to recognize the Foundation and its partners’ mutual accomplishments and to honor a few special organizations and people.

During the event, a few special partners were honored: Blue/Yello (for rapid response to crises), the Center for Combating Human Trafficking and Exploitation (for creating social welfare), the Vilnius Archdiocese’s “Caritas” Alternative Education Center (for empowering young people), the series of concerts “Sacred Music Hours” (for long-term partnership) and Albinas Kentra (for lifetime achievements).

Over 25 years, the Foundation allocated about 15 million. dollars. Every year, KFF supports about 100 organizations in the USA, Lithuania and Zimbabwe.

“We support not only organizations, but also programs initiated by the family members. For example, “Youth Can” – the development of life skills through sports for young people in the regions, “Bring Together Lithuania” – an internship program for diaspora youth, “Uncommon” – a program operating in Zimbabwe and Lithuania where young people can learn IT and life skills”, – Michael Kazickas.

According to John Kazickas, guided by the tradition of philanthropy in the family and love for Lithuania, the Foundation annually supports about 30 Lithuanian organizations. About 50 percent of all support goes to organizations related to Lithuania.

KFF has been operating since 1998 in New York, and since 1999 – in Vilnius. It was founded by Dr. Joseph P. Kazickas together with his wife Alexandra. After regaining independence, they contributed to the restoration of The Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, monuments, churches, book publishing, and the establishment of the President V. Adamkus Library-Museum. Later, the Foundation turned its attention to young people, whose education and empowerment became one of the priority areas of the Kazickas family.

Jurate Kazickaite, the daughter of Joseph and Alexandra Kazickas, has been the president of the Foundation since its establishement. Over time, the number of members of the Kazickas family has increased in the Foundation – there are currently three generations in it.

“All family members are involved in philanthropic activities and support the areas of their choice. Since there are a lot of us in the family and we operate in more than one country, we can react flexibly to what is happening in the world. In fact, one of the priority areas at the moment is responding to crisis, such as the refugee crisis, the pandemic, the war in Ukraine,” said Katarina Kazickas.

On this occasion, a total of 10 family members came to Lithuania to visit and participate in the event: the children of J. P. and A. Kazickas with their spouses and two granddaughters.

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“Youth Can” Summer Camp 2023

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"Youth Can" Summer Camp 2023

Youth Camp Summer Camp 2023 took place in Antalieptė, Innovators’ Valley. The team used the experience gained last year to bring an even more productive week of life skills training, bonding, and having lots of fun, of course.

Camp counselors brought creative workshops, wellness and sports practices, educational nature outings, lectures and games, songs by the fire, and much more to 40 campers.

This camp would have not been possible without many friends and supporters. Thank you all for an unforgettable summer adventure for the Youth Can students!

Learn more about the “Youth Can” program and summer camp: www.youthcan.lt/blog

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Sakralinės Muzikos Valandos: In Memoriam Aleksandrai Ir Juozui Kazickams

Sacred Music Hours: In Memoriam Aleksandra and Juozas Kazickas

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Sacred Music Hours: In Memoriam Aleksandra and Juozas Kazickas

On August 15th, the special concert to celebrate the Kazickas’ marriage anniversary will be held at the St. Casimirs Church in Vilnius.

The Kazickas Family Sacred Music Hours in memoriam Aleksandra and Juozas Kazickai.

Eighty years ago, on 15 August, Aleksandra and Juozas Kazickas were married in Vilnius, at St. Nicholas Church. They enjoyed 70 years of married life until Aleksandra’s death in 2011. The Sacred Music Hours program every year includes a special event to celebrate the Kazickas’ marriage anniversary.

On August 15th, the special concert will host organist Karolina Juodelytė and trumpet player Tomas Medina.

More about the concert: www.kristupofestivalis.lt/en/sacred-music-hours-in-memoriam-aleksandra-and-juozas-kazickas/

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Bring Together Lithuania 2023

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Bring Together Lithuania 2023

This summer Lithuanian diaspora youth had a chance to rediscover modern Lithuania, learn more about its history and culture, and get to know the Lithuanian business world and career opportunities. Most importantly, the unique experience with the “Bring Together Lithuania” program encouraged youth to become young Ambassadors of Lithuania.

For the sixth time in a row „Bring Together Lithuania“, together with the Kazickas Family Foundation, invited Lithuanian diaspora youth to Lithuania for summer internships, so they could gain professional experience, discover modern Lithuania and become young Ambassadors of Lithuania.

“We believe that if we want to raise young Lithuanian Ambassadors, active global Lithuanians, we must offer them an opportunity to experience modern, innovative Lithuania. The goal of the leadership program “Bring Together Lithuania” is to provide the youth of Lithuanian descent professional experience and to show them modern Lithuania. They are offered opportunities to do internships with leading Lithuanian businesses, the government sector, non-government organizations, and innovative startups. Additionally, there is an active schedule planned for the students – unique opportunities to discover today’s Lithuania, travel to the most beautiful sights, meet business and public sector leaders, explore Lithuanian identity, and encourage them to contribute to Lithuania’s future with their own ideas,” program’s founder and director Kamile Permine shared its vision.

The 17 participants from the US, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, the Netherlands and New Zealand interned at leading Lithuanian and global companies for at least 6 weeks and traveled the country to familiarize themselves with modern Lithuania, its business scene, and its cultural landscape.

“Bring Together Lithuania“ participants got opportunities to do their internships related to their studies with various organizations and businesses, such as: Baltic Environmental Forum, Bored Panda, Caritas „Vilties angelas“, DIO startup, Kongsberg Nano Avionics, Nord Security, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Skyllence, Avia Solutions Group, Staticus, Transparency International Lithuania, Perlukas, Unnecessary films, Vilnius University Life Sciences Center.

Created as a program to draw Lithuanian youth diaspora to visit their ancestors’ country, “Bring Together Lithuania” aims to provide Lithuanian diaspora youth with opportunities to acquire professional skills, meet global Lithuanians and explore the countryside. Since its establishment, the initiative has grown its’ partners immensely and expanded its outreach to a broader network of the Lithuanian diaspora.

“The Kazickas Family Foundation is a proud supporter of Bring Together Lithuania, a summer internship program for youth of Lithuanian heritage. We feel it is important for young people to visit the land of their ancestors, have an opportunity to interact with those of their own age, and most importantly, engage in worthwhile programs that expand their knowledge and experience”, – Jūratė Kazickaitė, the President of the KFF.

The program, initiated and powered by the Kazickas Family Foundation, is in its sixth successful year already. It is also supported by the Lithuanian Foundation in the US, the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Lietuvos Valstybės – Mindaugo Karūnavimo Diena

The Statehood Day of Lithuania

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The Statehood Day of Lithuania

Peter Kazickas and his fiancée Aluna visited Lithuania on the occasion of the State of Lithuania Day – the Coronation of King Mindaugas and the National Anthem Day.

On the Coronation Day of King Mindaugas, President Gitanas Nausėda and First Lady Diana Nausėdienė hosted a celebratory reception at the Presidential Palace, where representatives of the Kazickas Family Foundation, together with politicians, public figures, artists, businessmen, representatives of various organizations and foreign diplomats residing in Lithuania, took part in the event.

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Jūratė Kazickaitė: Tėvų Pamokos Ir Filantropija Lietuvoje

Jurate Kazickaite: Philanthropy is more than donating money

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Jurate Kazickaite: Philanthropy is More than Donating Money

In preparation for the annual conference of the National Library’s Adolfas Damusis Centre for the Study of Democracy “The Anatomy of Generosity: the Tradition of Philanthropy in Lithuania and the Diaspora”, Dr Ilona Strumickienė’s interviewed the President of the Kazickas Family Foundation, Jūrate Kazickaite.

Listen to an interview: https://youtu.be/Q2yrBt9CP8w

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Įteikta Mecenatės Aleksandros Kalvėnaitės-Kazickienės Ir Jos Mokytojo Kalbininko Petro Būtėno Atminimo Premija

Literacy award in memory of Alexandra Kelavenaite-Kazickas and her dear teacher linguist Petras Butenas

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Literacy Award in Memory of Alexandra Kelavenaite-Kazickas and Her Dear Teacher Linguist Petras Butenas

On June 18th, an award in memory of Alexandra Kelavenaite-Kazickas and her dear teacher linguist Petras Butenas was presented to Prof Dr. Habil Evalda Jakaitiene at the St. John’s church in Vilnius.

The laureate and her work were presented by prof. Dr. Habil Bonifacas Stundžia. The event was hosted by Dr. Aurelija Gritėnienė, Secretary of the Commission, congratulatory speech was given by Neila Baumiliene, the director of the KFF office in New York, as well as the event was enriched with organ music by Prof. Renata Marcinkutė-Lesieur. Before the event, the St. Mass was celebrated by Fr. Vidmantas Šimkūnas SJ.

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Bring Together Lithuania 2023 Atidarymo Renginys

The Opening Ceremony of the Bring Together Lithuania 2023 program

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The Opening Ceremony of the Bring Together Lithuania 2023 Program

Bring Together Lithuania 2023 – summer internship and modern Lithuania program for youth of Lithuanian heritage – was officially launched at the Kazickas Family Residence, in Vilnius.

Inspiring welcome words were given by the director of the Kazickas Family Foundation in New York Neila Baumiliene, the director in Vilnius Agne Vertelkaite, and program director Kamilė Perminė.

The event marked the beginning of the 6th generation of this program! The ceremony served as a starting point for a 6-week summer immersion experience for the Lithuanian diaspora youth to explore the modern country, local and global companies residing in Lithuania, governmental organizations, and the cultural dimension of the country. Welcome to Lithuania!

The program is initiated and sponsored by the Kazickas Family Foundation since 2018. The main goal of the internship program is to provide Lithuanian diaspora youth with opportunities to acquire professional skills, meet global Lithuanians, explore their heritage country, and become young ambassadors of Lithuania.

It is also sponsored by the Lithuanian Foundation, the Ministry of Economy and Innovations, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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The charity event “Let’s Be Together 2023”

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The charity event "Let's Be Together 2023"

For 20 years, the International Vilnius Club has had a tradition to organize the charity event “Let’s Be Together 2023” – one of the largest such events in Lithuania.

The Kazickas Family Foundation contributed to this year’s event, as well as the project coordinator Domantė Greifenbergerytė joined the volunteers.

Around 150 young people from foster homes and other institutions attended the event, including around 40 young people from Ukraine. They spent an unforgettable-educational day together taking part in various activities: playing volleyball, trying out aikido and kendo martial arts, learning about the subtleties of the work of police officers and firefighters, overcoming an obstacle course, admiring the performance of police cynologists and service dogs, interacting with NATO troops, and many other activities.

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