Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS)
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: BOSS
Mailing Address: 1918 University Ave. #2A
City: Berkeley
State: CA
Postal Code: 94704
Main Phone: 510-649-1930
Main Fax: 510-649-0627
Organization Website: www.self-sufficiency.org
Employer ID Number: 51-0173390
Organization Tax Status: 501c3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/23/2026
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Mental Health Support for Children Impacted by Parental Incarceration
Project Description:

BOSS is requesting support to promote healing from trauma for the children and youth residing at our Women & Children’s Reentry Campus (WCRC) in Oakland, California. The WCRC provides a safe landing for both single women and women with children who are coming out of prison – temporary housing with on-site support services designed to help families stabilize, address urgent needs, and begin working on reintegration plans that include housing, education, employment, health, and other goals.

The children living with their moms at WCRC have experienced multiple forms of trauma, including homelessness, foster care, family separation, substance abuse, mental illness, and domestic or community violence – Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) that create barriers to wellness and self-sufficiency well into adulthood. Academic reviews show that parental incarceration in particular significantly impacts multiple facets of child wellbeing across developmental stages. Children may struggle with internalizing and externalizing symptoms, difficulties in school, attachment challenges, and psychosocial instability.

The funds requested will be used to expand mental health support services for children at the WCRC:

• Trauma-informed group and individual counseling for children and youth, incorporating evidence-based curricula that address emotional regulation, grief, attachment challenges, and stress management.

• Child-centric therapeutic materials, including arts and play therapy supplies, age-appropriate books about family separation, resilience, coping, and developmental psychoeducation.

• In-service groups and activities through partnerships with community mental health providers for referrals when clinically appropriate.

Child mental/emotional health data will be assessed by the Case Manager during intake/enrollment when families first enter WCRC. The Case Manager will recruit both internal and external experts for the services described above, plan and organize activities, and conduct follow up assessments on mental/emotional health to ensure that children living in the WCRC receive intentional, developmentally appropriate, and evidence-based mental health supports anchored in best practices for children impacted by parental incarceration.

Total Project Budget: 1,733,929

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Alameda County Probation

Project Duration: 12 months
Geographical Area Served: Oakland, CA – Alameda County
Age Group To Be Served: 0-18 years

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Sonja
Contact Last Name: Fitz
Contact Title: Chief Development Officer
Contact Phone: 510-649-1930 x 1008
Contact Email: sfitz@self-sufficiency.org