TODAY Show’s Natalie Morales Represents Jubilee Center of Hoboken at BCG Charity Day

(ABOVE: Jubilee Board member Kay LiCausi, Celebrity Ambassador Natalie Morales, and Jubilee Executive Director David Shehigian on the BGC trading floor earlier today.)

The Jubilee Center of Hoboken is very excited to have been selected as a Participating Charity in BGC Charity Day on Friday, September 11, 2015—with Natalie Morales, co-host of NBC’s “TODAY” show, representing The Jubilee Center as celebrity ambassador and joining BGC Partners employees on the trading floor.

BGC Charity Day started in commemoration of the 658 Cantor Fitzgerald and 61 Eurobrokers employees lost in the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks. Since then, Charity Day has raised approximately $113 million  globally.

This is the eleventh year BGC has participated in Charity Day, which is held at BGC’s offices in London, New York, Paris, Sydney, Hong Kong, and Singapore, and at other locations. BGC donates 100% of its global revenues on Charity Day to the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund and dozens of charities around the world.

Hoboken felt the impact of 9/11 acutely. Fifty-seven of its residents were killed that bright September morning, making it the municipality with the highest per-capita death rate from the attacks.

The Jubilee Center of Hoboken would like to thank BGC Partners for the opportunity to participate in Charity Day, and Natalie Morales for agreeing to be the ambassador. “Wherever your path in life takes you, it’s always important to give back and Charity Day is a great opportunity to put that into practice,” said Morales.

The Jubilee Center began in 1996 as a homework club for children in Hoboken’s public housing community. Since then, the program has expanded into a year-round safe haven for Hudson County’s most vulnerable youth. Every day, almost 100 children walk through the doors of the Jubilee Center’s three-story community center to receive academic support and participate in enrichment activities, such as dance, cooking, karate, and art. Each evening, students receive a nutritious hot meal generously donated by a local area restaurant.

“Our daily meal program will help set our students up for a life of proper eating and nutrition,” said David Shehigian, Executive Director of the Jubilee Center. “Provide children with the right nutrition now and they will learn at an early age what’s necessary for good health.”

Support for the Jubilee Center is essential. Studies have shown that after-school programs lower obesity rates, reduce drug use, and improve academic performance and school attendance. The Jubilee Center goes above and beyond to help students overcome barriers and thrive.

This past summer, children received educational instruction each morning from a team of five highly qualified teachers. By the end of summer camp, 95% of students’ math, reading, and writing test scores improved. During the school year, academic enrichment is supplemented by evening tutoring sessions, hands-on science and technology workshops, and field trips.

“We are not just an aftercare program. We take academics seriously,” said Mr. Shehigian. “During summer camp our goal is to prepare students for the upcoming school year.”

If you’d like to contribute to the Jubilee Center, visit www.jubileecenterhoboken.org, or you can mail contributions to 601 Jackson Street, Hoboken, NJ  07030.