Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: JoyRx
Legal Name (if Different): Children’s Cancer Association
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 823 Congress Ave, Suite 300
City: Austin
State: TX
Postal Code: 78701
Main Phone: 503-244-3141
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.joyrx.org
Employer ID Number: 93-1181662
Organization Tax Status: 501 (c)3 non-profit organizatio

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: March 31, 2023
Requested Amount: 10,000

Project Title: JoyRx Music
Project Description:

More than 1,700 children and adolescents younger than 20 years of age are diagnosed with cancer every year in Texas. It is the most common cause of disease-related mortality for Texans 0-19 years of age. Our mission at JoyRx, the mission delivery arm of Children’s Cancer Association, is to treat cancer and serious illnesses with more than medicine. When a child is facing life’s most challenging moments, they also need emotional healing.

Through JoyRx’s flagship program, JoyRx Music, music programs empower kids and teens to shift their emotional states during stressful and painful experiences related to life-threatening illnesses. By utilizing music’s universal appeal to buoy spirits and energize, JoyRx Music helps young patients feel Joy during stressful and painful experiences associated with prolonged hospitalizations and life-threatening illnesses. Trained JoyRx Music Specialists engage hospitalized kids of all ages and diagnoses by offering them a choice of "music medicine" experiences tailored to their current emotional state. No-cost bedside and virtual program options are available and tailored for one-on-one or group music experiences. Young patients can choose to watch a live music session, request a song, sing along, engage in music lessons, and even grab an instrument to join the band—whatever feels right and brings Joy to them in the moment.

Over two decades ago, Children’s Cancer Association began delivering the healing power of music to children and teens facing cancer and other serious illnesses. Today, JoyRx Music’s patient experience includes bedside service as restrictions allow, in-hospital concerts, and digital programs designed to relieve stress, anxiety, and perception of pain. Our programs "prescribe Joy" to positively shift moods and relieve the sadness, anxiety, and isolation experienced during lengthy hospitalizations.

Our goal is to serve over 300 patients this year and engage kids and teens, and their families, in 2,000 Joy-based interactions. With four full-time staff in Austin, JoyRx is well-positioned to continue expanding these services into the future.

Total Project Budget: 544,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Committed: · Donald D. Hammill Foundation · Clifford Antone Foundation · Gibson Gives Foundation · Tito’s Handmade Vodka · NFP Insurance Brokerage and Consulting Potential: · Blue Cross Blue Shield – Blue Impact Grant · Michael and Susan Dell Foundation · Austin Community Foundation · Golf Fights Cancer · Georgetown Health Foundatio

Project Duration: 1 year
Geographical Area Served: Austin, Texas
Age Group To Be Served: 0-19

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Kari
Contact Last Name: Dolan
Contact Title: Grant Writer
Contact Phone: 409-679-5973
Contact Email: kdolan@joyrx.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Chintimini Wildlife Center
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: CWC
Mailing Address: 311 NW Lewisburg Ave
City: Corvallis
State: OR
Postal Code: 97330
Main Phone: (541)745-5324
Main Fax:
Organization Website: chintiminiwildlife.org
Employer ID Number: 94-3085445
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/31/2023
Requested Amount: 10,000

Project Title: Oregon Wildlife Science Program (OWL’s)
Project Description:

Over the next year, CWC will expand into Lane County and continue to support Benton County students with the Oregon Wildlife Science(OWLS) Program. We will utilize our 5-acre Nature Education Center to inspire youth to learn the ecological importance of diversity in our community while also fulfilling the State of Oregon’s 2nd-grade science standard on species diversity. Rewarded funds will be used to provide a no-cost, 4-hour, on-site education program to 2nd-grade students in the county, regardless of socioeconomic background with our 12 ambassador animals that we offer in English, Spanish &Braile. We hope to instill an appreciation for the natural world and inspire Lane and Benton County youth to preserve and celebrate the outdoor spaces we share with wildlife.Our work is most effective when it inspires a child into action, whether it be drawing, writing, researching, or simply sharing what they’ve learned with someone they love. In alignment with many school districts, we are committed to whole-child learning, and thus we celebrate when students engage with the world around them; feel safe enough to be creative, curious, empathetic, and passionate; and can find a sense of place and purpose.In a paper written on ecotherapy, researchers Summers and Vivian state: “Clear and abundant evidence demonstrates that interaction with nature affects not only the well-being but our health throughout life. This evidence suggests that people who as children strongly interact with ecosystems and environment live longer with better quality of life." After two years of disrupted learning, the negative impacts of virtual and even hybrid schooling are apparent, with numerous studies showing an increase in depression, anxiety, and mental health in school-age children. We believe that the addition of this nature-based program as supplemental education will help improve the overall well-being of children in the immediate future and throughout their lives.

Total Project Budget: $45,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Benton Community Foundation $8,590 (secured) Chambers Family Foundation $13,500 (potential)

Project Duration: January 1st, 2024- December 31st, 2024
Geographical Area Served: Benton County, OR + Lane County
Age Group To Be Served: 7-9 year olds

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Catherine
Contact Last Name: Mendez
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: (458) 256-0826
Contact Email: director@chintiminiwildlife.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Camp Ocean Pines
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 1473 Randall Drive
City: Cambria
State: CA
Postal Code: 93428
Main Phone: 805 927-0254
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.campoceanpines.org
Employer ID Number: 95-1738144
Organization Tax Status: 501 (c) (3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: March 31, 2023
Requested Amount: 5,000

Project Title: Kids to Camp!
Project Description:

Summer camp is an essential part of a healthy childhood. At Camp Ocean Pines, kids are allowed to be kids! Nature hikes, fencing with foam swords, sea kayaking, campfire songs, silly skits, junior falconry, watercoloring… all a part of the adventure! Kids stay at camp for one or two weeks. They are just experiencing it as just a series of fun activities, but our program is intentionally designed to develop key life and personal skills: grit, creativity, friendship, communication, and so on. In fact, studies show that time at camp has benefits for kids for their mental and physical health, social skills, and academics.

For example, from one perspective archery just looks like shooting a bow and arrow. Sure, it’s a lot of fun, but for the vast majority of kids archery’s not a practical skill. It’s actually training kids to be patient and to persevere: in archery as in life, you’ll miss the bullseye time after time, but you just calm yourself, improve your skills, and try again! All of our program elements have these deeper underpinnings.

And it’s essential that all kids can participate in summer camp, separate from their family’s financial means. We keep prices reasonable, but not all families can afford camp. For summer 2024, we intend to give scholarships to at least 40 campers, with scholarships ranging from $500-$2,500. Our Board of Directors raise money from the community for a variety of needs at Camp, including summer camp scholarships. For 2024, Camp Ocean Pines intends to raise at least $40,000 for those scholarships. We hope that the Hermanowski Foundation will be a part of that fundraising goal, to ensure that all kids can afford summer camp.

Total Project Budget: 40,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Individual donors; County grants; foundations; fundraisers

Project Duration: June-August, 2024
Geographical Area Served: California, primarily Bay Area, Central Coast, Central Valley, and LA area
Age Group To Be Served: ages 7-16

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mr.
Contact First Name: Andrew
Contact Last Name: Boyd-Goodrich
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: 805 924-4013
Contact Email: andrew@campoceanpines.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Raphah Institute
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 615 Main Street, Suite 103
City: Nashville
State: Tennessee
Postal Code: 37206
Main Phone: (615) 601-1709
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://www.raphah.org/
Employer ID Number: 82-1181441
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/31/23
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Restorative Justice Diversion
Project Description:

Raphah Institute was founded in 2017, in response to the significant community need for youth justice intervention, to partner with communities to implement new strategies for prevention and justice for youth at risk of incarceration. Tennessee is notorious for its high incarceration rates, with no exception for youth. The Ad Hoc Tennessee Blue Ribbon Task Force on Juvenile Justice (2017) found that in the prior five years, the amount of time children spent in detention facilities increased by 10 percent. And being arrested and spending any amount of time incarcerated at a young age are adverse childhood experiences that can negatively impact brain development and lead to poor long-term health outcomes.

Launched in 2018 as a partnership with the Juvenile Court, District Attorney, Public Defender, and Metro Nashville Police, Raphah Institute’s Restorative Justice Diversion Program (RJDP) provides pre-charge diversion for youth (ages 12-17) who have committed felony level harm. Our highly skilled Restorative Justice Facilitators lead both parties through a voluntary process that accounts for the harm that has occurred and leads to a conversation between the person harmed and the young person responsible for that harm. Together, both parties reach agreements about what the responsible youth can do to make things as right as possible, and our facilitators monitor the young person’s adherence to those agreements. In cases in which incarceration does not serve the public interest, RJDP offers a safe, trauma-informed, disparity-reducing option that seeks to mend a tear in the fabric of a community and allows for true accountability to be taken by the young person. To date, 60 young people have completed RJDP, with less than a 5% reconviction rate.

Total Project Budget: $400,000 (FY23)

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Nashville Mayor’s Office – $237,770; TN Office of Criminal Justice Programs – $150,000

Project Duration: Ongoing
Geographical Area Served: Davidson County and Shelby County, Tennessee
Age Group To Be Served: 12-17

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Claudia
Contact Last Name: Lawhon
Contact Title: Restorative Initiatives Support Specialist
Contact Phone: (239) 450-1430
Contact Email: admin@raphah.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: The Front Porch
Legal Name (if Different): Front Porch C’ville
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 221 East Water Street
City: Charlottesville
State: Virginia
Postal Code: 22902
Main Phone: 434-806-7062
Main Fax: N/A
Organization Website: https://frontporchcville.org/
Employer ID Number: 47-4040467
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/31/23
Requested Amount: 10,000

Project Title: Roots & Wings
Project Description:

Through Roots & Wings (R&W), Front Porch teaching artists help preschoolers and elementary students grow joyfully through music, developing socio-emotional skills while addressing income-related disparities in arts and academic outcomes. Each week, we teach free music lessons to 187 preschoolers (90% of whom qualify for free/reduced lunch based on family income) and 221 elementary students (50% qualify for free/reduced lunch). These classrooms do not have dedicated music programming.

There is a stark academic divide in City Schools. Data shows that in 2021, 41% of economically disadvantaged third graders in Charlottesville passed reading comprehension exams, vs. 63% overall. The same was true in math (35%, vs. 56% overall) and science (32%, vs. 54% overall).

Studies demonstrate that students from who took music lessons in early childhood increased their test scores significantly compared to non-music students, up to 40% in several subjects. Children’s brains develop faster through music training. Self-expression and social development are improved. For children who speak English as a second language, music is crucial in language development and comprehension. R&W helps address the broader academic disparities while providing joyful and energetic music lessons for children who wouldn’t typically receive them.

Specific learning goals for R&W students include demonstrating musicality in three ways: through being 1.) tuneful – identifying melodies and learning to coordinate their voices to sing them; 2.) “beat”-ful (rhythmic) – feeling the pulse of music and how that pulse is grouped in beats of 2s or 3s; and 3.) artful – acknowledging and expressing emotional responses to music.

We measure students’ skills three times per year through observational assessments of a standardized lesson, measuring their ability to keep a rhythm, memorize lyrics to songs, follow dynamics of pitch, learn musical vocabulary, and more. We assess the success of our program and identify areas for improvement through qualitative surveys distributed to teachers and administrators. These surveys continually demonstrate a positive impact of R&W on student engagement, energy, and focus. Notably, classroom teachers have been able to use exercises and skills from our programming to help with classroom management and transitions outside of music class.

We plan to add seven preschool classrooms in Albemarle County in the fall 2023 semester. We are respectfully requesting a $10,000 grant to support R&W in 23 preschool classrooms and 6 YMCA after-school programs in 2024.

Total Project Budget: $91,350

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): National Endowment for the Arts, BAMA Works Fund of Dave Matthews Band, Virginia Commission for the Arts, Robert and Joseph Cornell Memorial Foundation, J&E Berkley Foundation.

Project Duration: Year round. "Roots & Wings" follows the semester schedule of the local public schools. We are seeking funding for the 2024 Spring and Fall Semesters of our program.
Geographical Area Served: Central Virginia: Charlottesville, Albemarle County, and continuous counties.
Age Group To Be Served: Preschool to fourth grade (ages 3-10).

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mr.
Contact First Name: Eli
Contact Last Name: Ratzlaff
Contact Title: Development Manager
Contact Phone: 434-466-6110
Contact Email: eliratzlaff@frontporchcville.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Mission Kids
Legal Name (if Different): Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 180 W Germantown Pike Ste 1
City: East Norriton
State: PA
Postal Code: 19401
Main Phone: 484-441-6996
Main Fax: 484-687-2994
Organization Website: https://missionkidscac.org/what-we-do/prevention-education-training
Employer ID Number: 14-1975929
Organization Tax Status: Mission Kids, Child Advocacy Center of Montgomery County

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/31/2023
Requested Amount: $5,000

Project Title: Mission Kids "ROAR" Program
Project Description:

Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center respectfully requests $5,000 from the Charles and Joan Hermanowski Family Foundation to support our Prevention Education programming. Since 2009, Mission Kids has been a leader in the response, intervention and prevention of child abuse. Our organization works with a team of partners, including prosecutors; detectives from 50 police departments; child protection caseworkers, specialized physicians and trauma-informed mental health specialists to coordinate all cases of child abuse in Montgomery, PA and achieve healing and justice for those affected. Both Mission Kids’ experience and research demonstrates that child abuse thrives in silence. In addition to exceptional services for victims and their families, Mission Kids ultimate goal is to reduce the number of children victimized in our communities. “ROAR” is a child-centered, evidence-based education program that teaches children body safety and empowers them to raise their voices to speak out against abuse.

“ROAR” lessons take place in classrooms or other group setting, where a trained Mission Kids educator facilitates. Developed by the CARE Center in Oklahoma City, “ROAR” is a 20-minute interactive, child-based program designed to teach children aged 4- 8 how to protect themselves from abuse. During the lesson, children follow the story of a lion named Rex and his animal friends on a journey to find his “ROAR”, a simple and memorable acronym that teaches children that their bodies are their own. A study measuring program effectiveness reports 98% of ROAR participants have an increased knowledge in body autonomy, 94% have increase in knowledge in disclosing secrets to a trusted adult, and 99% had an increase in knowledge of identifying safe adults.

In 2022, Mission Kids Prevention Educators reached 13,780 individuals, conducting 309 lessons for nearly 10,000 children. Mission Kids employs 6 full-time and 1 part-time Prevention Educators who deliver lessons across 12 school districts.

Total Project Budget: $450,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): 2023 Confirmed and Potential Sources: VNA Foundation of Greater North Penn $15,000 (Potential) PECO: $5,000 (Potential) Child Development Foundation: $20,000 (Potential), Pennsylvannia Commission on Crime and Delinquency (Confirmed): $186,813 (yearly amount for 3-year grant)

Project Duration: 1 year
Geographical Area Served: Montgomery County, PA
Age Group To Be Served: 3-18

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Morgan
Contact Last Name: Mittelstadt
Contact Title: Grants Manager
Contact Phone: 484-441-6996
Contact Email: mmittelstadt@missionkidscac.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Junior Achievement of Southeastern, PA
Legal Name (if Different): Junior Achievement of Delaware Valley
Also Known As: JA or JA SEPA
Mailing Address: 145 East Swedesford Rd #1071
City: Wayne
State: PA
Postal Code: 19087
Main Phone: 610-499-1620
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://southeasternpa.ja.org
Employer ID Number: 23-1386172
Organization Tax Status: 501 c 3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/31/2023
Requested Amount: 10,000

Project Title: Boundless Opportunities
Project Description:

Junior Achievement’s strategic approach is focused on meeting the specific needs of students from under resourced communities by creating equitable access to high quality workforce readiness opportunities. We envision a world in which young people have the skillset and mindset to build thriving communities. To achieve this vision, our in-class learning experiences taught by trained volunteer mentors, focus on financial education, career and work readiness, and entrepreneurship and include:

Elementary programs starting in kindergarten that teach children the basic concepts of business/economics, and help students see the correlation between education and the workplace.

Middle school programs that shape a vision for success in education, work, and life for 6th–8th grade students. These programs explore personal finance concepts and college/career readiness.

High school programs are designed to prepare 9th to 12th grade students for college and careers. Students learn personal finance strategies, explore economics and how they relate to personal success, and connect business decisions to bottom lines.

JA believes in the boundless potential of our youth, and we make it our purpose to help young people discover their purpose. Our research shows 85% of JA Alums say that JA programs played an important role in fostering the belief that they could achieve their goals and almost half who had a volunteer in their program said they ended up working in the same field as their JA volunteer. Half of JA alumni report having started or partnered in their own business venture and 84% of JA alumni report being financially independent from their parents.

JA is dedicated to helping students realize that the education they are getting today will help them to have a bright future tomorrow. Together with the Hermanowski Foundation’s help we can effectively work to unlock the potential of our students and empower them to go beyond the world they know.

Total Project Budget: $425,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Ziegler – $50,000 Committed Hamilton – $10,000 Committed Wells Fargo – $25,000 Pending

Project Duration: July 1, 2023 – June 31, 2024
Geographical Area Served: City of Philadelphia
Age Group To Be Served: 6 – 18 years olds

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Joy
Contact Last Name: Isabelle
Contact Title: Director of Communications and Development
Contact Phone: 610-499-1620
Contact Email: Joy.Isabelle@ja.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: ReadyKids
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: formerly Children, Youth and Family Services
Mailing Address: 1000 E. High Street
City: Charlottesville
State: VA
Postal Code: 22902
Main Phone: 434-296-4118
Main Fax: 434-295-2638
Organization Website: www.readykidscville.org
Employer ID Number: 54-0546000
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: March 31, 2023
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Inside Out Counseling
Project Description:

Since 2002, InsideOut has offered an immediate response to the treatment needs of children (ages 2-18) who have been abused, neglected and/or exposed to domestic violence in Charlottesville and the five surrounding counties. The ReadyKids InsideOut program is the only program providing evidence-based trauma counseling and supports at no charge to families in the Charlottesville area. In FY22, InsideOut served 243 primary victims and 185 secondary victims.
The high-level outcomes of the program include:
● Children are socially/emotionally healthy and relate well to others.
● Children experience positive parent/child and family interactions.
● Children receiving services through the Inside Out program are not re-victimized.

To achieve these outcomes, the program completes the following activities:
● Trauma Counselors provide counseling services to children and families who have been victims of crime and/or trauma in Charlottesville and the surrounding counties. These services are provided using evidence-based treatment strategies, such as Trauma Focus Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), as well as play and art therapy techniques.
● Trauma Counselors complete an extensive intake assessment and individualized treatment plan. Each client is evaluated using the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Assessment and/or the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children evidence-based tools, during the beginning phase of treatment and again at discharge.
● Trauma Counselors consult and collaborate with community organizations and other service providers, including social workers and case managers from DSS, school staff, and medical providers, to promote trauma-informed care within our community and coordination of care for ReadyKids clients.
● Counselors offer psychoeducational support and resources to caregivers of child victims through a Trauma Informed Parenting Group and through collaboration with caregivers of children participating in therapy.

Total Project Budget: $886,017

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): InsideOut has traditionally been funded through Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Victims Fund and The Victims of Crime Act Grant with additional community support from the City of Charlottesville, County of Albemarle, and County of Louisa. InsideOut also receives critical financial support from private contributions and foundations, including The Manning Family Foundation, The Wardle Family Foundation, and the Virginia Healthcare Foundation. All available resources will be pursued to continue this project beyond the grant period. Past support from the Charles and Joan Hermanowski Foundation has been critical to these efforts.

Project Duration: Ongoing
Geographical Area Served: Charlottesville and the five surrounding counties
Age Group To Be Served: 2-18

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Diana
Contact Last Name: Cole Connolly
Contact Title: Director of Philanthropy
Contact Phone: 434-296-4118 x265
Contact Email: dconnolly@readykidscville.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Laurel Civic Association, Inc
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: Laurel Civic
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 511
City: Laurel
State: FL
Postal Code: 34272
Main Phone: 9414833338
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.laurelcivic.org
Employer ID Number: 65-0187752
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: March 31,2023
Requested Amount: $10,000.00

Project Title: Empowering Youth Programs
Project Description:

Laurel Civic Association is requesting $10,000 to support our urgent and critical Empowering
Youth Program (EYP), a multi-faceted, positive youth development outreach program that
focuses on intervention and prevention strategies to provide at-risk children and teens in South
Sarasota County with the skills and structure they need to succeed. We believe that children
deserve to be nurtured, supported, and empowered to become lifelong learners, leaders,
community role models, productive workers, and self-sufficient citizens. Our year-round services
help more than 200 children from kindergarten through high school to meet their daily
nutritional, educational, and social challenges.
EYP began 35 years ago as a safe environment for mainly at-risk youth, with an emphasis
on learning and adopting a positive approach to problem-solving for their oftentimes chaotic
lives. Currently, it includes many children from ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained,
Employed) families that live on the affluent margins of society. According to Florida’s United for
Alice statistics, there are more than 30,000 ALICE families in Sarasota County.
EYP includes four key programs: Kids Café, Homework Assistance, Teen Empowerment
Summer Program, and Summer Reading Program.
Kids Café – Hungry children are often unable to focus, making it difficult to concentrate on
homework and reading assignments. During the school year, our Kids Café provides a nutritious
meal to all our children in a safe environment when they arrive after school. Studies (Mayo
Clinic/CDC) show that food security plays a vital role in the development of a child’s well-being,
both physically and mentally, and our program addresses this need. The meals we provide also
ensure that no child goes home hungry, which is essential because some of the children and
teens may not receive a meal when they return home in the evening. During the summer, we
provide meals to attendees of our Teen Empowerment Program.
Homework Assistance Program – Working in partnership with the Sarasota County Public
Schools, we serve up to 75 students from five area schools every Monday through Friday, 3:30
– 5:30 p.m. We provide all students’ transportation, having them bused to Laurel Civic at the
Sandra Sims Terry Community Center. Once the students are fed in our Kids Cafe and have
some free time, they complete homework assignments, special projects, and reading. Our
curriculum also provides at-grade-level assignments that complement what students are
learning in school. The students are guided by staft, volunteers, and teachers from the Sarasota
County School District. We have laptops for every child and Internet access. Overall, we provide
exemplary academic support programs and services that enrich the learning experiences of all
participants in a personal and loving manner. All these practices have resulted in outcomes
including measurable improvements in reading, consistent on-time grade advancement, and a
100 percent graduation rate.
Teen Empowerment Program – This seven-week summer life-skills camp for teens focuses
on students in the tenth and eleventh grades to explore educational, career, and training
opportunities that match their interests and aptitudes. Since 2001, this one-of-a-kind camp has
served more than 600 South County teens, creating lasting change for them, their families, and
the community. Through seminars, field trips, team building, and teen-oriented sessions on
issues not covered in school, this unique camp gives youth the chance to learn valuable life
skills and personal growth strategies. The sessions include presentations on occupations and
trades and include college campus visits. Teens also meet previous program graduates whose
experiences inspire their self-esteem and help build their confidence. Each teen creates a plan
for life after high school to set them on a course for success following graduation. The program
includes daily breakfast and lunch.
Summer Reading Program – This program is a six-week summer program to increase
reading skills and abilities for academically at-risk children ages 6-11. In this performance-based
program, students are encouraged to read with a volunteer to help maintain and increase their
reading levels throughout the summer and prevent “The Summer Slide.” In partnership with The
Sarasota County Library System, we help these children learn, share, and evolve their love for
reading. Our goal is to help them to learn and love to read so that they will read to learn for the
rest of their lives.
Total Project Budget: $275,000.0

Total Project Budget: $275,000.00

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): We receive grants and donations from foundations, individuals, civic organizations, and businesses to help support all our programs. Examples include: Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, The Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation, Neal Communities, the Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation, The Patterson Foundation, the Louis & Gloria Flanzer Philantrhopic Trust, Venice Presbyterian Church, The Venice Golf and Country Club, the William E. Schmidt Foundation, the United Way of South Sarasota County, Coldwell Cares, the Venice-Nokomis Rotary Club, The Plantation Community Foundation, the Osprey Nokomis Chamber of Commerce, and many more.

Project Duration: Year-round
Geographical Area Served: South Sarasota County
Age Group To Be Served: K-12

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mr.
Contact First Name: Peter M.
Contact Last Name: Casamento
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: 9414833338
Contact Email: pcasamento@laurelcivic.net

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Spirit of Giving Network
Legal Name (if Different): n/a
Also Known As: Spirit of Giving
Mailing Address: 1515 N. Federal Highway, Suite 106
City: Boca Raton
State: Florida
Postal Code: 33432
Main Phone: 561-385-0144
Main Fax: n/a
Organization Website: https://spiritofgivingnetwork.com/
Employer ID Number: 65-0765570
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: January 31, 2023
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Resources for Palm Beach County Children
Project Description:

Spirit of Giving is requesting support for our Resources for PBC Children program, which will impact the lives of 16,500+ of our community’s children in need.

Fifty-six percent — roughly 158,633 — of children in PBC face financial hardship; many of their families are not able to afford basic necessities despite working, and often working multiple jobs (Source: United Way 2022 ALICE Report). According to the National Retail Federation, the two biggest spending seasons for families are the Back-to-School season and the winter holiday season. School shopping alone accounts for $864 per child on average, and 57% of households earning between $50,000—$99,999 found it harder to afford gifts and food for holiday meals in 2022 — up from 40% in 2021. These economic struggles correlate with children’s risk for low self esteem, learning deficiencies, and truancy, which can lead to negative long-term outcomes.

Spirit of Giving Network works to reduce these disparities year-round by convening 100+ local nonprofit child-serving organizations to share resources and streamline efforts to serve those in need. Twice per year, we spearhead community resource drives to support two annual events: Back To School PBC! and our Holiday Gift Drive.

Back to School PBC! is a collaborative event that eliminates the duplication of services among 70+ nonprofit agencies to provide an efficient, equitable distribution of community resources. With the support of 50+ community partners, children receive:

• backpacks
• grade-appropriate school supplies
• new shoes
• socks
• uniform shirts
• haircuts
• school physicals
• nutritious lunch & snacks
• feminine hygiene products
• important community resources

Families also have access to free health screenings, mammograms, and health referrals. This one-day event is held at Village Academy in Delray Beach each July.

Referred to by our network of child-serving agencies, Back to School PBC! serves 10,000+ children from low-income households, homeless, at-risk of homelessness or in foster care in PBC, 98% of whom receive free or reduced school lunch.  This program saves our community’s most vulnerable families $8.4M each year, while supporting underprivileged children in feeling confident and excited to begin school in August.

Spirit of Giving’s Holiday Gift Drive works with ~60 local nonprofit organizations to ensure that 6,500+ vulnerable children receive their holiday wish each season. Gift wishes are fulfilled through the support of 120+ community partners and donation collection sites, and 15+ volunteer groups. Our innovative, ambitious approach to community collaboration keeps costs low while delivering holiday joy to children and families who need it most.

Total Project Budget: $357,150

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): In a typical year, our Resources for Palm Beach County Children program is funded 45% by Palm Beach County and Children’s Services Council (funds are earmarked for Back To School PBC!), 33% by individual and corporate donations, and 22% by grants. We are grateful for the longstanding committed support of The Schmidt Family Foundation, The Jim Moran Foundation, The Vegso Family Foundation, Boca West Children’s Foundation, Florida Blue Foundation, The Batchelor Foundation, and more. As we work to expand our base of support so that we can meet rising needs, we are working to connect with more potential funders including The Community Foundation of Palm Beach & Martin Counties, The Walter & Adi Blum Foundation, The Albert & Birdie Einstein Foundation, and more. We hope to soon count The Charles and Joan Hermanowski Family Foundation among our community partners working together to achieve better outcomes for Palm Beach County’s underserved youth.

Project Duration: January through December, 2024
Geographical Area Served: Palm Beach County
Age Group To Be Served: Ages 5 through 17 (K-12 students)

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Lindy
Contact Last Name: Harvey
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: 561-385-0144
Contact Email: lindy@spiritofgivingnetwork.com