Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Alive Teen Centers
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: Alive Center
Mailing Address: 500 W. 5th Ave
City: Naperville
State: IL
Postal Code: 60563
Main Phone: 630-778-6093
Main Fax:
Organization Website: alivecenter.org
Employer ID Number: 45-4998475
Organization Tax Status: 501c3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/5/26
Requested Amount: 10,000

Project Title: Alive Teen Center Oswego Youth Belonging & Prevention Initiative
Project Description:

Alive Teen Centers is seeking startup funding to establish a new Alive Teen Center Satellite in Oswego, Illinois. Alive Centers are free, teen-only drop-in spaces designed to support youth mental health, promote personal connections, and leadership development. The center will serve students in grades 5–12. Through Alive’s unique Teen-Led, Teen-Driven™ model, older teens mentor younger peers by offering tutoring, leading activities, and creating original programs that foster leadership and responsibility.

Daily drop-in hours provide a structured, supervised environment where young people can gather after school and during summer months to build healthy relationships, participate in enrichment activities, and develop positive peer connections.

Startup funds will support the preparation and launch of the Oswego location so it can safely and effectively serve local youth. Funding will be used for initial facility setup and furnishings, including flexible seating, activity areas, technology, and equipment needed to create a welcoming teen-centered space. Funds will also support program materials for leadership development, STEM exploration, creative arts, and peer mentorship programming.

Additional startup resources will help establish the center’s operational foundation, including staff training, volunteer recruitment, safety protocols, and community outreach to ensure youth and families are aware of and able to access the center.

Alive Teen Centers have successfully operated in three Illinois communities for over a decade. Startup funding will allow Alive to expand and launch the Oswego center. Our priorities are to strengthen preventative, community-based youth mental health support.

Total Project Budget: $150,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Kendall County Board of Health/Northwestern Medicine/Cigna Foundation/Sponsorships/Community Capital Campaign/Local Rotary/Local Kiwanis

Project Duration: 1 year
Geographical Area Served: Kendall County and surrounding areas
Age Group To Be Served: grades 5 – 12 (age 11 – 18)

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.):
Contact First Name: Becky
Contact Last Name: Pundy
Contact Title: Director of Growth & Strategy
Contact Phone: 630-778-6093
Contact Email: becky@alivecenter.org