Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: St. Stephen’s Youth Programs
Legal Name (if Different): Friends of St. Stephen’s Youth Programs
Also Known As: SSYP
Mailing Address: 419 Shawmut Ave
City: Boston
State: MA
Postal Code: 02118
Main Phone: 6172629070
Main Fax:
Organization Website: http://ssypboston.org
Employer ID Number: 26-1749602
Organization Tax Status: nonprofit

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: December 21, 2021
Requested Amount: 10,000

Project Title: Social and Emotional Support for SSYP Youth
Project Description:

Right now, we see a tremendous need on the part of our students in terms of academics and social/emotional wellness. Academically, all of our program participants are behind in their schoolwork and require support to get back on track. In addition, many students who live in homes where the primary language is one other than English have experienced steep English language learning losses during the pandemic. The shift to virtual schooling left many feeling detached and unmotivated, resulting in significant learning losses. The pandemic has been especially hard on students of color attending poorly resourced schools, as they began the pandemic with the most to lose and are emerging with the most significant learning losses.
In terms of social and emotional health, over the past 20 months, young people have been separated from their friends, schools, and support systems. We’ve seen youth become increasingly withdrawn and less motivated and confident. They struggle with basic relationship skills, and we have witnessed increased jealousy, volatility, aggression, and negative thinking. Their pandemic trauma and stress experience (PTSE) manifests as depression, anxiety, sadness, loneliness, relational conflicts, lack of motivation, and anger. They require intensive social and emotional support. These challenges require additional investments in Social and Emotional Support (SES) for youth and families alike. Through curriculum and one-on-one counseling, our SES team maintains/re-establishes trusting, positive relationships with our students; help students identify specific physical, emotional, and mental stressors; works with students to alleviate their causes of stress; works with students to determine their resilience; ensures students know about our SES resources and are comfortable reaching out to staff.

Total Project Budget: 780,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Wellington, Cummings, Hyams, UNUM, Plymouth Rock

Project Duration: 1-3 years
Geographical Area Served: Boston
Age Group To Be Served: k-12

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Ellie
Contact Last Name: Brown
Contact Title: Senior Grants Manager
Contact Phone: 6172629070
Contact Email: ellie@ssypboston.org