Ellsworth Institute Urban Youth Fitness Initiative

The Ellsworth Institute was founded by Margaret Butler, Nirel Levi, and Sylvia Qiu to promote experiential and interdisciplinary learning.  The Internet has put limitless information at our fingertips, but it has been unable to teach critical thinking skills and support the integration of different ideas and perspectives.

Interdisciplinary learning helps us develop  a broader understanding of social issues, and experiential learning helps us integrate new information into our existing frameworks and apply knowledge in complex and ambiguous situations.

For #GivingTuesday we ask you to support our collaboration with Olympians Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov to promote physical literacy and participation in sports among urban youth, starting with kids living in New York City.

Only 34% of kids aged 6 to 12 from homes with $25,000 or less in income play team sports, compared to 69% of kids from $100,000+ income homes.  In addition, sport participation rates for white children exceed those of African-Americans, Hispanics, and Asian kids.  Our goal is to level the playing field.

Your donations will sponsor free pop-up workouts designed for children and open to the community.  We need funds to pay qualified coaches, secure safe and accessible venues, and purchase simple and portable equipment, such as cones and rope ladders.

Margaret's resident fitness model, pictured above with the Olympic torch, together with the children of Melissa and Denis, will help ensure that our approach and message resonates with the kids we are trying to serve.  

Please donate today!