Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: A Child’s Song
Legal Name (if Different): A Child’s Song, Inc.
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 12301 Grant St., Unit 200
City: Thornton
State: CO
Postal Code: 80241-3031
Main Phone: 303-460-7408
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://achildssong.org/
Employer ID Number: 84-1510927
Organization Tax Status: 501 (c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/15/23
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: ACS Foster Music Outreach Program
Project Description:

A Child’s Song, Inc. (ACS) collaborates with Shiloh House, residential education and treatment centers for foster youth, to bring music education for one-hour weekly to four Shiloh locations. The program goal is to foster hope and joy for the youth. Over 250 foster youth are served each year.

Programming with Shiloh House began in the Summer of 2020 with one location, in response to requests from Shiloh staff dealing with increased depression and isolation from foster youth due to COVID-19, and expanded to five locations in 2021. ACS’s Assistant Director and former foster youth herself, Kristin Orlando, leads this program, the only arts program provided at Shiloh. Youth are introduced to a rotating selection of instruments throughout the year, including drumming, keyboards, guitars and ukuleles. In addition to learning how to play their individual instruments, youth also learn the importance of creating a safe space, how to leave conflicts outside of the session, and how to work together to create music.

Though demographics do change based on the youth residing at the facilities, the current demographics are: American Indian/Alaskan Native: 1%; African-American: 23%; white: 56%; Other: 20%. 100% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch. Shiloh House supports some of the highest-needs youth in Colorado as every youth Shiloh serves has been removed from their biological family.

Foster youth experience trauma at unprecedented rates. Without intervention, these challenges can negatively impact their future life resulting in homelessness, unemployment, lack of educational opportunities, young pregnancies, future addictions, etc. Research shows that music helps mitigate the negative effects of trauma and improve mental health, positively impact brain development, and provide a healthy respite from stress. However, most foster youth can’t access music education. ACS believes that ALL children, regardless of their ability to pay, should have the opportunity for music exploration.

Total Project Budget: $80,000. The largest expense for this program is our music instructor salaries, followed by the transportation costs to each site. ACS will utilize any funds awarded to support this important program for foster youth in Colorado.

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Committed: Melvin & Elaine Wolf Foundation – $5,000. Grant requests are pending for the following organizations: Innovating Worthy Projects Foundation ($10,000), Les Paul Foundation ($5,000) and Denver Broncos Community Grant ($10,000).

Project Duration: On-going and year-round.
Geographical Area Served: Greater Denver Metro Area
Age Group To Be Served: Youth, grades K – 12

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Sandy
Contact Last Name: Taylor
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: 303-460-7408
Contact Email: Sandy@AChildsSong.com