Annual Report
Letter From The Founder
Dear Friends,
As we launch into celebrating 20 years of continuous and remarkably successful service to the underserved communities of New York, it seems fitting to focus on some key principles that have contributed to our extraordinary success.
Teamwork, discipline and gratitude are three of the pillars upon which Peter Westbrook Foundation is built. Our student athletes (even the most naturally gifted) understand that engaged teamwork allows them achieve success that is beyond the reach of their individual talents alone. They recognize that discipline in all of their endeavors prepares them to withstand and overcome adversity in bad times and to capitalize on good fortune and opportunity in good times. Finally, our students know that maintaining a sense gratitude to all those who have helped them achieve success along the way helps to keep them grounded in community no matter how lofty their achievements.
When I founded the organization 20 years ago, the goal was simple: Give back in a way that I understood and that I knew could be successful. I felt certain that children from underserved communities could and would thrive, despite the challenges they face, if only they received the extra guidance and encouragement as I myself received during my own formative years. Time and time again, the truths of my beliefs have been borne out:
- Keeth & Erinn Smart winning Silver Medals at the 2008 Being Olympics
- Nzingha Prescod three time Junior World Champion (2008 & 2009)
- PWF National Champion Gold Medal Teams in M. Sabre, and W. Foil (2010)
Our students continue to excel off of the fencing strip as well. This fall eleven PWF high school seniors will enroll as freshman at a some of the nation’s most prestigious universities and colleges including: MIT, Columbia University, Penn State, and Temple University.
I cannot describe the depth of my gratitude to everyone at the PWF from the volunteers, staff and coaches, to the students, families and most especially to the Board of Managers and donors for their loyalty, commitment and self-less acts of generosity.
The Peter Westbrook Foundation is a family; built on gratitude, discipline, teamwork, commitment, and loyalty. These are the principles that have brought us this far and we believe they will guide us through our next 20 years.
Thank you for joining us on this magnificent journey. If you are being introduced to our Foundation for the first time, welcome to the family.
Peter Westbrook,
Founder & CEO
