Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Monarch School Project
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 1625 Newton Avenue
City: San Diego
State: California
Postal Code: 92113
Main Phone: 7186072383
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.monarchschools.org
Employer ID Number: 330871354
Organization Tax Status: 501c3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: July 29 2025
Requested Amount: 5,000

Project Title: Empowering K-12 Unhoused Students with Arts, Education, and Health and Human Services
Project Description:

Mission: Monarch School Project nurtures resilience in unhoused youth and their families. We empower students to influence their own growth in the areas of academic success and social emotional learning. We reinforce the existing strength of families so that students can thrive in school and in life.
Overview: Since 1987, we have been a place of belonging for thousands of unhoused youth, offering a safe and supportive environment that fosters learning and healing. Serving over 550 students, families and alumni each year, the school is a public-private partnership between the San Diego County Office of Education and Monarch School Project, a 501(c)(3). Named by our students for the transformational power of the butterfly, Monarch School is the nation’s only K-12 public school exclusively for unhoused youth.
Comprehensive Programs: Educational support includes academic intervention, tutoring, and college and career readiness. Creative Youth Development (CYD) programs offer opportunities in visual art, music, theater, and dance to help students discover their talents, express themselves, celebrate their culture, and build community. Health and welfare services include strength-based case management to navigate to food, shelter, and income stability for the entire family. This program is supported by licensed clinical and behavioral mental health care. Our Butterfly Boutique provides clothes, shoes, care kits, and access to showers and laundry facilities.
Impacts: Core to evaluating our success is the success of our students. Our Social Emotional Student Growth Survey, developed with University of San Diego, shows students regularly improve feelings like self-esteem and safety, and skills like collaboration and perseverance –metrics that are linked to high attendance, academic performance, and graduation. Our resilient students maintain an average daily attendance rate of 82%, compared to 76% for unhoused youth nationwide, and graduate at a rate of 88%, far exceeding the 68% national average for unhoused youth.

Total Project Budget: 6,896,005

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Include: Hope Foundation, Life Science cares, Zable Foundation, Beyer Family Foundation, Wilson Family Foundation, Helmstetter Family Foundation

Project Duration: 1 year, January 1-December 31 2026
Geographical Area Served: San Diego County
Age Group To Be Served: Age 4-19

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Roberta
Contact Last Name: Sutton
Contact Title: Grants Manager
Contact Phone: 718-607-2383
Contact Email: grants@monarchschools.org