Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: NYC Kids Project
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: NYCKP
Mailing Address: 25 Beaver Street
City: New York
State: NY
Postal Code: 11025
Main Phone: (646) 766-3456
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://www.nyckidsproject.org/
Employer ID Number: 472103754
Organization Tax Status: 501(c )(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/30/2022
Requested Amount: $6,300

Project Title: Puppet Shows Expansion to Lower-Budget Schools
Project Description:

At NYC Kids Project, our primary goal is to help students embrace the differences and commonalities of all people and to create communities of acceptance and inclusion. To achieve this goal, our objectives for the students we serve include:
1) Creating an inclusive worldview for students, helping them to reflect on both self and others and to develop a deeper understanding of themselves in relation to their community; 2) Moving students from a fear of differences to curiosity; 3) Establishing connections to help students feel safe in asking questions and sharing their experiences; 4) Enabling students to recognize that each person is unique and has a purpose; 5) Helping students to acknowledge differences and then move beyond them to recognize our commonalities.

The content and issues explored through NYC Kids Project programs become more complex as students get older. Through the magic of theatre, we invite children to engage in dialogue with our puppets, ask challenging or awkward questions, and open themselves to new ways of seeing themselves and the people around them as unique individuals who are a vital part of the community. For example, Renaldo, our puppet character who is blind, often gets asked how he can play ball, read, or tell time. Mark, who has cerebral palsy, shares how he navigates the New York City he loves, and deals with the teasing he sometimes experiences due to his different way of speaking. Students have many questions, to which our teaching artists respond, and they have stories of their own to share. All of this helps guide them towards a refined sense of community and acceptance.

We are currently seeking funding that would enable us to expand our reach and provide our programming at free or reduced rates to schools that would otherwise be unable to pay.

Total Project Budget: $35,064

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): FAR FUND, NYC City Council Discretionary Funding, NYC Cultural Development Fund DCLA, Investors Bank Foundation

Project Duration: FY2024
Geographical Area Served: NYC Five Boroughs
Age Group To Be Served: Pre-kindergarten – 6th grade

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Anne
Contact Last Name: Bakan
Contact Title: Development & Administrative Coordinator
Contact Phone: (330) 635-2451
Contact Email: anne.nyckp@gmail.com