Maci Lago Universe
Maci Lago Universe
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Maci Lago Universe engages youth and young adults ages 5-25 who are considered “at-risk”. At-risk youth are considered as youth who are vulnerable to experiencing adverse outcomes as a result of engaging in risk behaviors or experiencing risk factors. The organization also aims to engage members' circle of support which includes families; peers; influential persons; and other social service organizations.Maci Lago Universe programming helps participants overcome social barriers through exposure to creative arts and by building social emotional competencies to foster interpersonal growth; process emotions; and reduce the inclination for unproductive behaviors. Participants are taught positive ways to adjust to challenges. Participants learn about logical problem solving and the development of good decision-making skills. SEL-focused programming can improve participants' academic performance, mental health, and overall well-being.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Modeling
Members learn the art of modeling and runway.
Where we work
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Total number of off-site performances held
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Maci Lago Universe's performance group (House of Maci Lago) performs for both private community sponsored events such as parades, youth summits, conferences, festivals, and fundraisers
Number of participants engaged in programs
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Other - describing something else
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
The organization has 45 active members which includes 6elementary participants; 13 middle school participants; 18 high school participants; 6 college participants; and 2 entrepreneurial mentors.
Number of job skills training courses/workshops conducted
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Career development activities such as resume writing, job search, interviewing, goal setting, and developing transferable job skills.
Total dollars paid to artists
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Maci Lago Universe contracts with professional art facilitators to lead workshops, classes, dance choreography, and performance practices during the program year.
Number of professional artists employed
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Total number of classes offered
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Members participate workshops weekly in the creative arts disciplines of dance, fashion, graphic design, modeling, and cosmetics. They also take part in group led art projects and live performances.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
1. Maci Lago Universe participants will increase their knowledge and create a new avenue of interests
in creative arts and fashion;
2. Maci Lago Universe participants will be able to identify and develop positive relationships with
peers and adults;
3. Maci Lago Universe participants will develop positive problem-solving skills and resiliency;
4. Maci Lago Universe participants will enhance their professional development and establish
future business relationships with entrepreneurs with the local community; through resources,
mentorship, and coaching;
5. Maci Lago Universe will secure sponsorship, grants, and other public support to sustain and
enhance programming; and
6. Maci Lago Universe will secure a permanent accessible location within the local Chester
community.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Maci Lago Universe has established the following youth development services to engage youth:
Social Emotional Learning
Maci Lago Universe programming helps participants overcome barriers by building social emotional
competencies to foster interpersonal growth; process emotions; and reduce the inclination for
unproductive behaviors.
Creative Arts
Maci Lago Universe incorporates fashion and dance as positive forms of creative arts to help develop
social emotional skills. Fashion is a tangible way to link participants' daily interests with the world of
visual art. Engaging the group in the art of fashion can help participants understand and appreciate
different perspectives and experiences, promoting compassion and understanding of others. Fashion is a
medium of self-expression, self-awareness, personal creativity, culture, and identity.Maci Lago Universe’s programming is centered around the following initiatives: social emotional learning; creative arts; professional development and career exploration; mentorship; and community service.
Professional Development & Career Exploration
Blaq Rain Program aims to increase career readiness by providing underserved youth with a career
pathway in the fashion art industry. All Maci Lago Universe middle school and high school members will
participate in career development activities such as resume, interviewing, and transferable job skills to
help them transition from the classroom to ultimately launch successful careers. Participants are
engaged in career planning and goal setting.
Mentorship
Maci Lago Universe mentorship allows participants to learn from professionals in the industry, providing
a path to skill and knowledge transfer. In addition, youth can develop an emotional bond with their
mentor, have a greater connection to the program’s mission; and can receive support, guidance, and
opportunities to help them succeed in life and meet their goals.
Community Service Initiatives
Maci Lago Universe offers live performances for community partners to raise awareness and support
local causes. The organization can also be booked for free performances at community events. The
organization also mandates that each participant earn community volunteer hours with the organization
during the year. The organization collaborates yearly with community partners to host a free pop up
shop for residents who are women, mothers, and girls. Maci Lago Universe garners clothing, food, and
toiletries donations to give to residents. The day is also filled with special programming and giveaways
geared to empower the women despite their circumstance. Additionally, Maci Lago Universe provides
community outreach and resources targeting school-age youth who may find themselves isolated outside
of the traditional public education mainstream. For example, the organization strives to address
economic social inequalities amongst at risk LGBTQ youth by providing emergency resources.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Maci Lago Universe’s programing is designed to highlight the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) approach
to reduce risk behaviors and to encourage students to find their voice through art. Maci Lago Universe
participants are matched with positive mentors, skilled facilitators, and professionals from their
community. Maci Lago Universe contracts with professional art facilitators to lead workshops, classes, and
performance practices during the program year. Lago Universe cultivates partnerships with various community providers and artists as partners to deliver free and/or low-cost services to the community.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Currently the organization has 44 active members which includes 6 elementary participants; 12 middle
school participants; 18 high school participants; 6 college participants; and 2 entrepreneurial mentors.
14% if enrolled members are k-5th grade level students
27 % of enrolled members are middle school level students.
41% of enrolled members are high school level students.
14% of enrolled members are post secondary/college participants
4% of enrolled members are entrepreneurial mentors
Maci Lago provided 2 book scholarship of $100 dollars each to graduating seniors in 2022.
Maci Lago Universe has commissioned a performance group of selected program participants (House of
Maci Lago) to perform for both private community sponsored events such as parades, youth summits,
conferences, festivals, and much more. Past performance events include:
2023 Maci Lago Universe Dance Performance for The Barnes Foundation
2023 Chester Charter Scholars Academy Fashion Show for Chester Charter School of the Arts
2022-2023 Maci Lago Universe Dance Performance for Hooper Councill Positive Potential Project Inc
2022-2023 Delaware County Juneteenth Celebration
2022-2023 Chester City Arts On The Ave Night
2022 Maci Lago Annual Showcase Fundraiser at Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino
2021-2023 Maci Lago Universe Summer Arts & Fashion Camp
2021 Class In Session Fashion Show
2020-2023 House of Maci Lago Annual Fashion Show
2020-2023 B.A.B.E.S. Intergenerational Brunch
2020-2022 Step/Modern Dance Choreography Workshops for Chester Community Charter School, 21st Century Afterschool Community Learning Centers
2016-2021 Night of Dreams Chester Community Charter School
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We share the feedback we received with the people we serve, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to find the ongoing funding to support feedback collection
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Maci Lago Universe
Board of directorsas of 01/20/2024
Darnisha Garland
Maci Lago LLC
Nashay Cottman
Blaq Rain LLC
TIANA Caldwell
Purpose Performers
Misty Sol
Tiffany Browning
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Not applicable -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Not applicable
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
The organization's co-leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.
Equity strategies
Last updated: 10/14/2023GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.