Morgan Stanley Invests in St. Nick’s School, Williamsburg

By Marie Elena Giossi

Any company can cut a check for a good cause, but when a global financial services corporation backs up a financial commitment with the personal involvement of their employees — that’s the type of investment in which both the community and the company can take pride.

Marie Elena Giossi Photos 

That’s the type of relationship the Morgan Stanley Corporation has established with St. Nicholas School, Williamsburg.

Last Thursday, more than 20 managers from seven Morgan Stanley offices, including one from Baltimore, spent six hours plastering and painting ceilings, replacing light bulbs and completing minor repairs around the red brick school house on Powers St.

Hands-on help is just one aspect of the corporation’s commitment to this school as part of the Futures in Education Foundation’s School-Business Partnership Program. The program links businesses that want to make a difference in the Brooklyn and Queens area with quality Catholic elementary schools that have needs.

School-business partnerships begin with a three-year financial commitment and in that time, companies can accomplish amazing things. Companies can support curricular, technological, capital and other critical needs; aid in maintaining the educational environment; provide positive role models and serve as mentors; assist with business/marketing plans; expand technology and science programs; and create a music/art program.

“Over the years there have been more than 30 partnerships made and Futures is looking to increase the number of partnerships,” according to Terence Boyd, executive director of the Futures in Education Foundation. He believes the best part of the program is the “opportunity to not just contribute financially but also to go into the schools and work with the kids. ... This can help them take the next step forward in life.”

Morgan Stanley’s 14-year partnership with St. Nicholas School “is one of the best examples of the School-Business Partnership program in action. It’s a real indicator of the investment Morgan Stanley has in the region’s children. Our thanks continually go out to Robert Gartland who made the connection for us.”

In 1994, Gartland and three colleagues were sent by the company to visit St. Nicholas School, which was excelling academically but struggling financially, and gauge the potential for a partnership.

That day, recalls Principal Sister Joan Losson, O.P., the light over her typewriter dimmed and the school’s front door jammed.

Within a week, Morgan Stanley agreed to adopt the school and Gartland sent a personal check to repair the light and door.

The partnership and mutual respect between the firm and the school has deepened every year. And that continues even though Gartland retired in December. Sister Joan is pleased to now work with her new contact Laura LoCosa, a managing director in the firm’s operations division.

In addition to monetary support, Morgan Stanley has donated computers, arranged for the school to have gym and music teachers once weekly and established a six-week career awareness/mentoring program. Each spring, for about 13 years, eighth-graders have buddied up with Brooklyn-based employees. Boys and girls go to the office, meet one-on-one with an employee and learn about careers in business.

“Our kids need to go into the business world and see how professionals act, dress and deal with one another,” said Sister Joan. “They’re very good to our children and they offer a world of experience.”

In appreciation, the school has dedicated their audio-visual room to Gartland and the faculty room to Morgan Stanley volunteers.

In turn, employees have a chance to visit the school at Christmas when the company hosts a party with gifts for every child; in June for an Appreciation Night to thank volunteers; and at the end of the school year to do repairs and renovations.

This year, Morgan Stanley sent their handymen and women a few months early.

Twenty-one employee-volunteers reported for duty at the school on Feb. 28. These volunteers are also part of the firm’s Developing Leaders Program, which prepares managers and senior managers for executive positions. Service work is an integral part of this advancement training.

Cheikhna Thiam, a vice president and project manager in Manhattan, was part of the program last year, and helped organize this year’s service event in Williamsburg.

While Thiam facilitated the day, and ordered pizza for his team, he also scraped peeling paint, directed repairs and tightened the doorknob on the principal’s office.

“It’s a privilege to be part of this and make this happen. … One of the biggest things (Morgan Stanley does) is helping people help kids,” said Thiam, who was born and educated in Senegal.

He was “impressed” with the school. “The staff is really dedicated and I can tell the kids have good manners. Every time I walk into a classroom, they all stand up and say ‘Good morning.’”

He noted that the 143-year-old building “needs help. ... The staff does the best it can. These small things we’re doing are helping so much.”

Thiam also wanted to give credit to the people who weren’t there — workers who were in the offices covering for everyone who was out volunteering. “It really is a firm-wide effort,” he said.

Nancy Gunning-Sluby and Anne Reich spent their morning sorting and labeling sequins, beads, foam shapes and yarn.

A white jumpsuit replaced Preeth Abraham’s usual business suit, at above, as he painted ceilings and file cabinets at St. Nicholas School. Meanwhile, Doug Katz, below, scrapes excess plaster from a second-floor wall before applying fresh paint to the repaired section.

“Companies can give money and schools may make capital improvements but sometimes it’s the little tasks like this that the school needs done. It may seem trivial but it is a need and we can help,” said Gunning-Sluby, who works in Downtown Brooklyn and attends St. Paul’s parish, Ramsey, N.J.

Second-graders sitting in a darkened area of Alexa Akturk’s classroom were grateful for the illumination provided by “Mr. Erik” – Erik Barry, who changed the burnt out light bulb over their desks. He changed 14 light bulbs in all that day.

Jen Kutchey left her Baltimore home at 4:30 a.m. to volunteer at St. Nick’s. She teamed with Manhattan-based colleagues Shannon Natale from St. Ephrem, Dyker Heights, and Anne Stevens from St. Monica’s, Manhattan, to bind old books, which Girl Scouts from Troop 2996 later donated to Brookdale Hopsital.

Henry Engler, a graduate of the now closed Our Lady of Czestochowa School, Sunset Park, put some fresh coats of paint on the girls’ lavatory walls with Doug Katz and Carl Warner, both of whom took part in the career awareness program last year.

Warner enjoyed giving his young buddy an overview of cash management operations and “tried to emphasize that schooling is important. He was very much into sports. I told him to set goals beyond sports and think about his direction in life, like where he wants to be in 10 years.”

“It’s nice to be here and do this,” added Katz. “This gives us a chance to get involved. Our help means so much to the school.”