Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Virginia’s Kids Belong
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 2102 Maywill Street
City: Richmond
State: VA
Postal Code: 23230
Main Phone: 804 283 4814
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.vakidsbelong.org
Employer ID Number: 46-2719518
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: July 18. 2023
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: I Belong Project
Project Description:

The I Belong Project unites volunteers, local businesses, creatives, social workers, and faith leaders to create a trauma-informed ‘video and photo shoot’ experience that features children in foster care waiting for an adoptive family. Children are empowered to share their stories and unique attributes with a trained interviewer. Before the day is over each child receives a professional photo, clothes, school supplies, and a gift to demonstrate their value and worth.

The end result of this experience is a recruiting package of photos, inspiring quotes, and a high-quality video which can be used to generate inquiries from interested foster families willing to adopt. This recruiting package becomes the catalyst for a partnership between VKB, local and state DSS case managers, private placement agencies case managers, and a state-wide network of concerned community members with the goal of matching each child with a safe, loving family and helping that child achieve permanency.

Since beginning this project in 2019, 65 kids from the greater Richmond area have participated on their journey towards permanency. To date, approximately 50% of kids who participate in the I Belong Project are matched with adoptive families within 12 months versus potentially staying in the foster care system for years or aging out.

Because of Virginia’s low national ranking for the percentage of youth aging out of foster care without finding a permanent home, the I Belong Project remains one of the strongest programmatic interventions the Commonwealth supports to make progress in moving the needle on this statistic.

Total Project Budget: $212,972

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Ballad Health – $125,000, The Community Foundation of Greater Richmond – $80,000, Farrell Family Foundation – $25,000, Hill City Church – $35, 545, Crossroads Church – $8,500, Climate Solutions Heating and Cooling – $27,360

Project Duration: Year round
Geographical Area Served: State of Virginia
Age Group To Be Served: 0-18

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Stephanie
Contact Last Name: Lynch
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: 804 283 4814
Contact Email: stephanie@vakidsbelong.org