Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Miami Children’s Museum
Legal Name (if Different): Miami Children’s Museum, Inc.
Also Known As: MCM
Mailing Address: 980 MacArthur Causeway
City: Miami
State: FL
Postal Code: 33132
Main Phone: 3053735437
Main Fax: 3053735431
Organization Website: www.miamichildrensmuseum.org
Employer ID Number: 59-2396999
Organization Tax Status: Non-profit

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 03/30/2018
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Sensory Friendly Saturday Program for children with special needs, autism and developmental disabilities
Project Description:

Miami Children’s Museum opens its doors early every second Saturday of each month from 9 am -11 am to provide sensory-friendly programming for children with special needs and autism at a reduced admission cost. The Museum can be loud and intimidating to children with special needs and autism so in July 2012, we created the Sensory-Friendly Saturday program to enable children with autism and special needs to explore the Museum in a sensory-friendly environment without large crowds. During the program, the Museum’s lights and sounds are lowered and attendance is limited so that the multi-sensory, interactive exhibits, which invite children to touch, explore and create, are adjusted to sensory-friendly levels with modified lighting and sound adjustments. Children, who may not be able to visit the Museum during regular hours when the noise and lighting may be overwhelming, have the opportunity to engage in arts-based educational programming, creative performances and imaginative play that helps develop social skills, oral language, communication skills and self-expression. Special programming includes yoga, art and music therapy plus a Snoezelen Room, a controlled multisensory environment used to provide therapy for people with autism and other developmental disabilities that opened in March 2018. “Cool-down” rooms for children to relax in if they need a break are provided. Guests RSVP to receive pre-visit materials including an illustrated social story guide and color-coded sound level map to help caregivers familiarize themselves with the Museum and structure their visit according to their child’s needs. Families also have the opportunity to network and leverage the expertise of specialists who provide special programming, including a speech pathologist and occupational therapist. A grant from The Hermanowski Family Foundation would provide vital support to this program which provides important resource to families in South Florida with children with autism and with special needs.

Total Project Budget: $53,345

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): MLM III Fund at The Miami Foundation (committed), Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs (committed), State of Florida Division of Cultural Affairs (committed), Build-A-Bear Foundation (potential)

Project Duration: ongoing
Geographical Area Served: South Florida, Miami-Dade and Broward Counties mostly
Age Group To Be Served: birth to 12 years old with siblings and family members/parents and caregivers

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Belissa
Contact Last Name: Alvarez
Contact Title: Chief Business Development Officer
Contact Phone: 3053735437
Contact Email: balvarez@miamichildrensmuseum.org