Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Sisters of St. Joseph Neighborhood Network (SSJNN)
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: SSJNN
Mailing Address: 425 West 18th Street
City: Erie
State: PA
Postal Code: 16502
Main Phone: 814-454-7814
Main Fax: 814-454-7915
Organization Website: www.ssjnn.org
Employer ID Number: 25-1853673
Organization Tax Status: nonprofit 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 03/25/2026
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: SSJNN Youth Work Experience (YWE)
Project Description:

The Sisters of St. Joseph Neighborhood Network (SSJNN) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of NWPA located in Erie, PA. SSJNN has a mission to provide leadership and advocacy for residents while building partnerships with the broader community to develop opportunities for both personal growth and neighborhood revitalization.

The SSJNN service areas are some of the most disadvantaged in the city, historically suffering from neighborhood decay, lack of community organization, low educational attainment, high poverty rates, and high crime or the perception of high crime. SSJNN offers supported, seasonal work opportunities for youth in our service area between the ages of 14‐17 to fuel our mission of revitalizing the neighborhood and promoting economic development. This will be SSJNN’s 14th year of providing the Youth Work Experience (YWE) program to the community with the goal of hiring up to 15 teens each year. All work completed supports other SSJNN programs such as neighborhood beautification, blight remediation, and the Little Italy Farmers Market. This request will cover a portion of the operational costs, direct delivery of services, for two staff directors who work directly with the youth from January to September.

Our vision for the YWE is to build work capacity and job skills beginning as young as age 14 when teens can obtain a work permit. From the initial hiring process through the exit interview, the YWE program provides a rich and layered educational experience for teens from low-to-moderate income families. Workshop sessions introduce important topics like basic finances and setting up a bank account, how healthy habits affect the ability to work effectively, how listening to and understanding your coworkers makes a team more efficiently. In addition, this setting provides YWE with volunteer mentors who share their passion with a giving attitude.

Total Project Budget: 132,147.23

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): $56,073.63 SSJNN; $5,000 NAP; $8,000 NPP; $25,000 Erie County; $16,311.98 Private Donations all committed with $11,761.65 CDBG from the City of Erie potential as well as $10,000 from the Hermanowski Family Foundation.

Project Duration: 9 months
Geographical Area Served: City of Erie, PA Census Tracts 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, and 20
Age Group To Be Served: 14-17

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Theresa
Contact Last Name: Walsh
Contact Title: Grants Specialist
Contact Phone: 814-454-7814 ext. 211
Contact Email: twalsh@ssjnn.org