Chicago, IL – April 5, 2019 – The Chicago Greektown Educational Foundation (CGEF) is pleased to announce that it was the recipient of a $25,000 donation from Cinespace Chicago Film Studios to establish the “Nick Mirkopoulos Scholarship”. The donation will enable Greek schools to modernize curriculum and enhance student participation with the help of iPads, smartboards and software provided by CGEF and specifically developed to teach the Greek language to young students.
The Cinespace Chicago Film Studios press release covering news of this generous donation is republished below.
Cinespace Chicago Film Studios Donates $25K to Chicago Greektown Educational Foundation
CHICAGO – April 3, 2019, Cinespace Chicago Film Studios will donate $25,000 to enable Greek schools to modernize curriculum and enhance student participation, as announced by the Chicago Greektown Educational Fund (CGEF). The announcement renews support from CGEF’s “Nick Mirkopoulos Scholarship” partner one year after which it was established.
“We are honored to support a scholarship that is focused on the education and preservation of the Greek language,” said Cinespace CEO Alex Pissios. “Uncle Nick believed in giving back and remembering what brought you to where you are today. He would be really proud of the kids that are investing themselves in their Greek heritage — something my uncle really cherished,” he added.
This year’s donation will support students at seven Greek schools in the Chicago area and one Greek school in Merrillville, Indiana to engage in their Greek studies with the help of iPads, smartboards and software specifically developed to teach the Greek language to young people. Since the founding of the Chicago Greektown Educational Foundation in 2014, its mission has been to support Greek language educational and cultural initiatives using technology and it has donated more than $100,000 to regional Greek Schools.
“We are very grateful to Cinespace Chicago Film Studios and the Pissios family for their unwavering support of our mission,” said Irene Koumi, president of CGEF. “Without the vision and leadership of those like Nick Mirkopoulos, the founder of Cinespace in Toronto and Chicago, our heritage and history would eventually be lost. We want to ensure this never happens.”
Cinespace Chicago Film Studios supports several local charities and foundations. Cinespace is also home to two of its own nonprofit organizations, CineCares Foundationand Stage 18 Chicago. For more information on the impact that Cinespace is having on the film industry in Chicago and the economic development of the North Lawndale community, visit the website at Chicagofilmstudios.comor follow its social media channels. For more information about the Chicago Greek Educational Foundation or to make a gift to the “Nick Mirkopoulos Scholarship” please visit www.greektowneducation.com
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About Cinespace:
Cinespace Chicago Film Studios is a family-owned company specializing in the development, management and operation of studio space and support facilities for the film, television, and digital media production industry. With 31 sound stages on its 1.45 million square foot main campus in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood, and additional studios currently under construction at 31stand Kedzie, Cinespace is the largest film studio outside of California. Since opening in 2011, Cinespace has helped bring more than 16,000 new jobs to the area. As part of Cinespace’s commitment to the neighborhood, the family established CineCares Foundation to train and employ area residents through education and job training in TV & Film. The CineCares Foundation Mirkopoulos Internship Program partners with NBCUniversal, Wolf Film, Fox, and Studio Mechanics Union Local 476. In addition to film production, the campus is home to Stage 18 Chicago, a 501(c) 3 organization and incubator established to retain and grow talent in Chicago. Key tenants at Cinespace include 312 Fast Draw, AbelCine, Cinelease, DePaul Film School, Keslow Camera, Lagunitas and Periscope Post & Audio. For more information or to contract studio or business space at Cinespace, visit the website at ChicagoFilmStudios.com.
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