Grant Request Podium RVA
Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form
Organization Name: Podium RVA
Legal Name (if Different): The Podium Foundation
Also Known As: Podium
Mailing Address: 200 S 3rd St
City: Richmond
State: VA
Postal Code: 23219
Main Phone: 804-788-5912
Main Fax: n/a
Organization Website: www.podiumrva.org
Employer ID Number: 26-1877724
Organization Tax Status: 501c3
Proposal Information
Today’s Date: 1/16/2024
Requested Amount: $5,000.00
Project Title: Step Write Up: Equity Building Through Youth Literary Education
Project Description:
Podium empowers underserved youth ages 11-19 in Richmond, VA as confident and capable writers and communicators to succeed in school, career, and in life. Podium provides free youth writing workshops and publications. Programs meet weekly for one or two hours in three-month sessions year-round. Podium serves youth of color who reside in the region’s most economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. This increases their risk of poor academic performance, school dropout, and family risk of instability and unemployment. By using writing as a tool for healing, self-expression, and upward mobility in preparation for higher education and the workforce, every child has a safe and supportive platform for personal expression and academic improvement in every program.
With their mentors, Podium youth discuss identity, culture, and build their self-confidence and advocacy skills while exploring literary forms of poetry, prose, debate, journalism, theatrics, science fiction, and more. This project expands Podium’s reach to historically under-resourced communities and will impact 750 youth during the 2024-2025 school year. Funds will be used for program coordination, curriculum development, weekly facilitation, materials and resources, and evaluation/assessment of the following programs:
The Teen Scene is where youth ages 11-14 find their voice through healthy communication and positive self-expression. Youth explore identity and culture in activities that build social-emotional development and self-advocacy skills by learning a variety of different literary forms. Throughout the program, youth build their love of literary arts and develop confidence to share their work.
Power of the Pen is for teens ages 14-19 to improve communication skills while identifying writing as a positive coping tool for healing and self-expression. Youth expand their horizons through literary units that feature social-emotional learning techniques. Throughout the program, youth develop the tools and skills needed to increase their academic performance, written and verbal communication, critical thinking, and future planning.
Total Project Budget: $150,000
Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Secured: $15,000 (City of Richmond), $25,000 (Richmond City School Board), $15,000 (Henrico Education Foundation), & $10,000 (Dominion Art Star Award); Pending grants: $30,000 (Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond), $30,000 (REB Foundation), $10,000 (Dill Family Foundation), $5,000 (Herndon Foundation), & $5,0000 (CultureWorks)
Project Duration: October 2024 – June 2025
Geographical Area Served: Richmond, VA
Age Group To Be Served: adolescents & teens (ages 11 – 19)
Contact Information
Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Vicki
Contact Last Name: Yeroian
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: 804-614-5030
Contact Email: vicki.yeroian@podiumrva.org