Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

---

Organization Name: New Jersey Highlands Coalition
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 508 Main Street
City: Boonton
State: NJ
Postal Code: 07005
Main Phone: 9737887190
Main Fax: 9737887193
Organization Website: https://njhighlandscoalition.org/
Employer ID Number: 68-0636424
Organization Tax Status: 501c3

Proposal Information

---

Today’s Date: February 5, 2024
Requested Amount: 10,000

Project Title: Tales from the Great Swamp Puppetry Collaboration Project
Project Description:

The arts have an unmatched capacity to uplift, unite, and motivate children. To that end, TALES FROM THE GREAT SWAMP focuses on several small animal characters living in the Highlands that demonstrate the roles a child can play and the difference a child can make while introducing them to the natural world. Throughout the adventure, our characters together overcome obstacles and seek guidance from their elders as they navigate their way. Understanding different people and their cultures is one of the best ways we can learn from each other and ourselves. By introducing the four spirits, which are represented in Lenapé folklore as grandparents and the change of seasons, children gain a deeper, nuanced understanding from a different perspective of the connection between both nature and our nation’s history. We hope this storyline will encourage a multi-generational response from our audience. The production promotes the understanding and appreciation of green, healthy environments, particularly for their educational and recreational values. They will learn that the drinking water depended on by residents of Newark and Jersey City comes exclusively from nearby Highlands reservoirs, forests and open spaces owned by their cities. If those reservoirs and/or open spaces become polluted or degraded, the harmful impact on their lives would be profound.

Total Project Budget: 30,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): The Merrill G. and Emita E. Hastings Foundation, IECA Foundation, Impact 100, Northern New Jersey Community Foundation, New Jersey Natural Gas,

Project Duration: ongoing
Geographical Area Served: Our efforts focus on Northern New Jersey schools and communities with an emphasis on the Newark and Jersey City school systems.
Age Group To Be Served: K-4th grade

Contact Information

---

Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mrs.
Contact First Name: Julia
Contact Last Name: Somers
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: 9735252768
Contact Email: julia@njhighlandscoalition.org