Unidos Podemos Mas is a grassroots organization that was founded by NYC high school students to provide support and education to the steady flow of migrant children arriving to the city from Latin America. Unidos Podemos Mas joined the Gift of Chess (not-for-profit directed by Coach Russ Makofsky) and a Times Square church provided a home for the after-school club. The club opened its doors in January of 2023. The club has been running since that time in various formats; this is where the migrant children are welcomed and introduced to the game of chess working with Spanish-speaking coaches and high school students.

The founders:
Kaleb and Kyle Lancman are twin brothers born and raised in New York City. They have attended NYC public schools their whole life; now are at Stuyvesant High School. They have also played chess since they were little and now compete nationally and internationally. They grew up speaking Spanish and have always felt very connected to their Latino roots.

This program combines both their love of chess and math with their desire to support Latino children who have just arrived in the USA after experiencing the hardship of lengthy and dangerous migrations. This bilingual chess program aims to help these children feel welcome and supported. It is meant to offer the children a place of their own hosted by coaches who speak a language they understand and through which English and the game of chess will be introduced progressively.

Classes are all free. Please help us support and grow this initiative by making a donation to the Gift of Chess.