Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: The McKenzie Project, Inc
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 20401 NE 2ND AVE
City: MIAMI
State: FL
Postal Code: 33179
Main Phone: 3058463186
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.themckenzieproject.org
Employer ID Number: 61-1997539
Organization Tax Status: 501 c 3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 2/26/2026
Requested Amount: 10,000

Project Title: HOTS Initiative Part B: (Haus of The South Initiative Part B)
Project Description:

HOTS Initiative Part B (Haus of The South) provides lifesaving, affirming support for LGBTQ+ children and teens in crisis across South Florida who are at immediate risk of homelessness, family separation, foster care instability, and institutional harm. LGBTQ+ youth, particularly Black, Brown, transgender, gender-nonconforming, and nonbinary young people, are disproportionately pushed out of their homes and face high rates of abuse, mental health crises, trafficking, and system involvement when affirming care is unavailable.

Through HOTS Initiative Part B, Haus of The South delivers a coordinated continuum of shelter, foster care support, and transitional living services rooted in trauma-informed, youth-centered, and culturally responsive practices. The project equips young people with safe housing, basic necessities, crisis stabilization, and access to affirming healthcare, mental health support, education advocacy, and legal navigation. Services are delivered in partnership with trusted community providers, chosen family caregivers, and affirming foster placements to ensure youth are not re-traumatized within systems meant to protect them.
A core component of the initiative is caregiver and foster family support. HOTS provides training, resources, and ongoing coaching to foster parents, kinship caregivers, and chosen family members to create safe, affirming home environments for LGBTQ+ youth. Youth in transitional living programs receive life skills training, educational and workforce readiness support, and individualized case management to build stability, independence, and long-term well-being.

By centering dignity, safety, and self-determination, HOTS Initiative Part B addresses both immediate crisis needs and long-term outcomes. The project reduces homelessness, improves placement stability, strengthens mental health, and increases educational and economic pathways for LGBTQ+ youth. Ultimately, Haus of The South is building a community-rooted safety net that ensures LGBTQ+ children and teens in South Florida can survive crisis, heal from harm, and move toward thriving futures grounded in care, transformation, and opportunity.

Total Project Budget: 100,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Black Migrate Fund $25,000 Rainbow Railroad: $20,000 Emergent Fund $10,000

Project Duration: October 2026-October 2027
Geographical Area Served: HOTS Initiative Part B (Haus of The South) serves LGBTQ+ children and teens across South Florida, with a primary focus in Broward county. Services are delivered through community-based shelter, foster care support, and transitional living programs, with outreach prioritized in neighborhoods experiencing high rates of youth homelessness, family displacement, and system involvement.
Age Group To Be Served: 14-21

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms
Contact First Name: Jasmine
Contact Last Name: McKenzie
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: 3058463186
Contact Email: info@themckenzieproject.org