Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Keep Youth Doing Something, Inc
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: KYDS
Mailing Address: 7026 Sophia Ave
City: Van Nuys
State: California
Postal Code: 91406
Main Phone: 818-908-2029 ext. 1
Main Fax:
Organization Website: http://kydsinc.org/
Employer ID Number: 95-4426350
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/23/2023
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Student Stress and Anger Management Program (SSAM)
Project Description:

Youth are suffering unprecedented stress and urgently need help coping with the multiple stressors not experienced by any generation in recent times. In the fallout of the pandemic, an astounding 44% of teens experience persistent sadness or hopelessness.

As a solution to the mental-health crisis youth are facing, the Student Stress and Anger Management Program (SSAM) empowers youth with vital inner resources – an “emotional-literacy toolkit” – to help improve their quality of life. SSAM’s innovative curriculum promotes emotional health and academic success by educating students to Identify, Assess, Monitor, and Regulate their stress, anger, and other destructive emotions and behaviors skillfully and consistently in today’s challenging “real life” circumstances.

SSAM’s ground-breaking method has been recognized and selected by the Department of Mental Health for their Juvenile Justice & School Failure Program and has received the American Psychiatric Foundation Award for Advancing Minority Mental Health.

Evaluation outcomes demonstrate that the program enhances students’ learning experiences. Outcomes include improvements in stress levels (70%), pain (65%), concentration (67%), depression (63%), resistance of peer pressure (54%), anxiety (50%), academic performance (46%), self-esteem (44%), and anger (37%).

One student reported: “I was thinking about dropping out of school, but since taking this program, I passed the CAHSEE test, and now I will graduate!”

SSAM’s positive impact extends beyond the individual student into the community, as 56% of participating youth commonly report teaching peers, siblings and parents their new-found
techniques that have changed their lives. This extended benefit to the community is particularly important now more than ever as everyone needs effective coping skills to manage the continuing stress and anxiety caused by the pandemic. The benefits and effects of this unique and effective program are ongoing and exponential in nature, i.e. your contribution extends well beyond the time period and initial population served by this grant.

Total Project Budget: $180,500

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): John W. Carson Foundation $35,000, Henry L. Guenther Foundation $20,000, Angels Baseball Foundation $3,000, Teichert Foundation $7,500, CLA Foundation $20,000, The Goodwin Family Memorial Trust $15,000, Stern Foundation $5,000, Bolton Foundation $5,000, Berkshire Hathaway Foundation $2,500

Project Duration: 9 months/October 2023 – June 2024
Geographical Area Served: Los Angeles County
Age Group To Be Served: 10-20 years old

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.):
Contact First Name: Kris
Contact Last Name: Edstrom
Contact Title: Director of the Student Stress and Anger Management Program
Contact Phone: 323-202-5662
Contact Email: krs@ssamprogram.com