Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: The Depot Youth Center
Legal Name (if Different): The Nororton Heights Depot
Also Known As: The Depot
Mailing Address: 25 Heights Road
City: Darien
State: CT
Postal Code: 06897
Main Phone: 203-655-0812
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://dariendepot.com
Employer ID Number: 06-1269671
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: March 10, 2022
Requested Amount: $1000

Project Title: Student League of Darien
Project Description:

Student League of Darien (SLOD) is an all-male league run by upperclassmen to mentor freshman boys in a fun, relaxing, judgment-free environment. By watching sports, playing cards, eating pizza, and getting to know one another, SLOD offers opportunities for youths to forge social and emotional connections with peers. These relationships can help younger boys tremendously with the transition to the often-stressful high school years. For the upperclassman participants, their involvement in the program can also be a meaningful addition to applications for colleges and future jobs.

This program seeks to partner upper-class students with a group of freshmen to ease the transition to high school. These connections continue at school where SLOD leaders pay close attention to freshman students who are eating alone or having a hard time navigating new routines. These boys are there to be a friend to the 9th graders; they don’t try to fix their problems. They ask questions and help the freshman students come up with their own answers. Frequently they model how to problem-solve by describing how they overcame a similar problem in their life. They also invite the peers they work with to come up with ideas and solutions to supportively help their peers explore the possibilities.

The Student League of Darien is open to 9th-12th grade boys and meets two Mondays per month, 8-9:30pm at the Depot Youth Center. The Depot provides a comfortable and social environment for this program. The bi-weekly meetings at the Depot give the mentors an opportunity to see how things progress.

Total Project Budget: $10,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): The Community Fund of Darien, The Darien Foundation, and through individual donations.

Project Duration: Ongoing
Geographical Area Served: Darien, CT
Age Group To Be Served: 9th – 12th grade

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Laura
Contact Last Name: Downing
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: 203-6550812
Contact Email: laura@dariendepot.com