Crossing Thresholds Announce Opening of Community Pillars
Grand Opening of Community Pillars, a New Primary School in Kibera, Nairobi
RealFoundations and Crossing Thresholds are thrilled to announce the successful grand opening of Community Pillars, a new primary school in Kibera, a slum community of Nairobi, Kenya, developed to serve underprivileged children in the local surrounding area.
In 2018, RealFoundations contributed $75,000 (half of the estimated cost) towards the establishment of a new school primary school, the fourth of its kind launched by Crossing Thresholds in Kenya. Construction began in December 2021 and the doors finally opened to students on April 29th, 2022.
During the first week, Community Pillars welcomed 86 preschoolers, 105 lower primary students (grades 1-4), and 59 upper primary students (grades 5-7). These 250 students now benefit from daily nutrition, emotional support, and access to a quality education that promises a brighter future. RealFoundations looks forward to traveling to Kibera for the dedication ceremony of Community Pillars in July 2022 and sharing future updates on this valuable program.
“I am beyond grateful for my friend, Chris Shaida. Generosity is a rare quality, and his generosity has helped me in countless ways. With the backing of RealFoundations, our shared generosity is changing the destiny of children’s lives. On their behalf, I thank RealFoundations. The boat is rising.”
— Carter Via, Executive Director and Founder, Crossing Thresholds
Making a Difference Together
RealFoundations CEO and Co-Founder, Chris Shaida, and longtime friend and Founder of Crossing Thresholds, Charles “Carter” Via, have traveled to Kenya together five times since 2001. During a 2007 visit, they returned home with a passionate commitment to launch a nonprofit that would address both the educational and nutritional needs of children in Nairobi. Carter soon founded Crossing Thresholds, with Chris serving as Board Chair until 2018. Seeking to identify local educators and empower them to open new schools and create greater opportunities for local children, Crossing Thresholds has now opened four primary schools and one high school, providing quality education and daily nutrition to over 1,500 children in Kenya.
RealFoundations will continue supporting Crossing Thresholds and identifying additional opportunities to contribute to the life-changing programs Community Pillars has to offer. If you would like to contribute to this incredible initiative, consider a tax-deductible donation to Crossing Thresholds. All donations noted as “RealFoundations Primary School” will directly fund initiatives for Community Pillars, such as procurement of desks, furniture, kitchenware, computers, and books for the library, among other items.
Donations are accepted online, through Venmo, or by check (details below).
Mail
Crossing Thresholds
168A Irving Avenue, Suite 300K
Port Chester, NY 10573
Venmo
@crossingthresholds-inc
Payer code: 8492
Connect with Us
To learn more about RealFoundations’ support of Crossing Thresholds, contact us by email or +1 214 292 7000.
About Crossing Thresholds
Crossing Thresholds is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating learning opportunities for some of the poorest children in East Africa. Working closely with local grassroots visionaries and educators, Crossing Thresholds has successfully opened 4 primary schools and 1 high school since 2008, providing over 1,500 local children with daily nutrition, emotional support and hope. Their mission is to find dynamic local partners who believe in the power of education.
About RealFoundations
RealFoundations (RF) is the world’s foremost professional services firm focused solely on the real estate industry. Through our delivery of Management Consulting and Managed Services, we help companies that develop, own, operate, service or invest in real estate make better, more profitable decisions. We are proud partners to over 500 real estate companies around the globe, providing accelerated solutions that solve some of real estate’s most complex challenges. We Make Real Estate Run Better.
