Developed at the onset of the pandemic, our innovative digital program, Eric’s Circle of Light (ECOL), honors our dear friend, Eric Richenstein (1982-2020), who left us too soon, by doing what we do best: providing access to education and opportunity to young people most in need. Eric loved his family, friends, and the great outdoors, and he was a friend to wildlife and children everywhere.

When schools closed, we consulted specialists in the fields of science, math, art therapy and special education to develop online photography lessons and activities that support creativity and emotional well-being. The curricula includes theoretical and practical photography instruction along with valuable life skills sessions. 

Too, we have created an all-new Storytelling curriculum, led by Gaireyah Fredericks, an award-winning author, poet and playwright in Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa.

Since its inception, ECOL has provided nearly 5000 hours of instruction to more than 120 students. The program has been so successful that we have new students from partner programs across the United States, Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda joining us each week. And this fall we are expanding to Tel Aviv, Israel!