Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Beyond the Bars
Legal Name (if Different): Beyond the Bars Inc
Also Known As: Beyond the Bars
Mailing Address: 3500 Lancaster Ave
City: Philadelphia
State: PA
Postal Code: 19104
Main Phone: 6108362759
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.beyondthebarsmusic.org
Employer ID Number: 47-5225752
Organization Tax Status: 501c3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 03/29/2024
Requested Amount: 10,000

Project Title: Running an Ecosystem of Support for Youth Impacted by Violence
Project Description:

In response to our students’ needs, BTB expanded to community-based programs, serving youth affected by various traumas such as homelessness, abuse, poverty, and loss. Understanding the scale of these issues, we adopted systemic approaches by partnering with over 50 local organizations. Together, we established music labs and programs in diverse locations, including shelters, trauma clinics, foster care centers, schools, community hubs, recreational centers, immigrant and refugee programs, anti-violence initiatives, LGBTQ+ support programs, diversion programs, and those aiding youth affected by divestment.Through collaborative efforts with our partners, we’ve established 33 programs and over 45 musical spaces citywide, ensuring accessible engagement for youth across neighborhoods.

Our “Ecosystem of Support” model, emphasizes community-based music programs to expose students to supportive musical environments. This model isn’t just about exposure; it meets youth where they are (foster care etc) and links them to additional BTB programs and community resources from our partners, addressing needs spanning shelter, food, mental health, and education. Recognizing the significance of youth leadership, our system includes the Student Teacher Program. Here, youth evolve into leaders, learning trauma-informed teaching practices and becoming mentors and change makers in our community. They gain valuable career training experience while being compensated for their employment. From our inception in jail to the present, BTB remains committed to being driven by both our community and students’ voices, continually evolving to best build with them.

Here’s how BTB’s Ecosystem of Support operates:
Mobile Studio/Invitational Programming – Programs that meet youth in moments of transition and crisis (shelters etc) and brings them into our larger community
Transition Team/Resource Connection- connects them to additional BTB programs and the resources of our partners
Receiver/Neighborhood Hub Programs- ongoing programs where youth can perform in shows, engage in songwriting, instruments and recordings
Student Teacher/leader Program – where students are employed and trained to be teachers and mentors in the city.

Total Project Budget: 660,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Lewis Prize, The Hive, City of Philadelphia, State of PA, William Penn Foundation, M Knight Shyamalan Foundation, Patricia Kind Family Foundation, Nelson Foundation, Benoliel Family Foundation

Project Duration: 12 months
Geographical Area Served: North, West, South, Southwest, Northwest areas of Philadelphia
Age Group To Be Served: 12-21

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mr.
Contact First Name: Matthew
Contact Last Name: Kerr
Contact Title: Co-Executive Director
Contact Phone: 267-225-7247
Contact Email: matthew.kerr@beyondthebarsmusic.org