Citykids Foundation, Inc.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
CITYKIDS PROGRAMS
CITYKIDS PROGRAMS:
The CityKids Foundation has pioneered, maintained and innovated cutting edge youth
development programs for three decades training tens of thousands of young people to be
leaders and motivated agents of social change. Many have gone on to successful careers and
continue to give back. Now as teachers, public speakers, motivational coaches, actors, writers,
directors, business professionals, and musicians, they all credit CityKids with giving them a
community and the confidence to lead and influence.
CityKids’ vision and programs are anchored in a set of consistent, powerful, actionable,
teachable and livable principles:
Safe Space:
Environments in which young people feel physically, mentally, and spiritually safe—free to be,
express, respect, grow, teach, and learn with each other. A safe environment to discuss topics
they care about and process the world around them.
Youth-to-Youth Communication:
With adults as key resources, young people actively teach their peers, and study a diverse
range of national and global issues to find their roles and platforms for action.
Multicultural Bridge Building:
Allowing young people from different backgrounds to gather and engage in honest dialogue,
where boundaries can be dismantled and the doors to understanding opened.
Leadership Development:
CityKids is centered in a leadership curriculum where young people can train and have impact
on society today and the future.
A cornerstone of CityKids programming is Coalition, a weekly dialogue where diverse young
people engage in critical thinking sharing ideas in a Safe Space. Once incubated, these
thoughts and ideas are taken into action through CityKids’ award-winning, intensive
performance program, The CityKids Repertory Company (Rep). CityKids Rep combines
training in performing arts with the Foundation’s unique leadership development strategies. For
30 years CityKids Rep members have created and performed original material, bringing their
own thoughts and experiences—hopes, challenges and dreams—to the stage. Many
performances have been filmed and distributed widely, and CityKids Rep has performed all
across the U.S. and abroad. CityKids Rep has been among the most public voices of The
CityKids Foundation providing youth advocacy programs and performances for The Children's
Defense Fund, PSAs for Nickelodeon, a recent short film at The Tribeca Film Festival, and a
television show with Jim Henson Productions.
In addition to our core programs, nearly one out of every two of our participants relies on CityKids to provide intensive support services that they cannot access within their own school and/or communities, including counseling and referrals to outside organizations. CityKids differentiates itself from other youth service organizations in five substantive ways. First, our programs are youth-driven. That means youth help to design, operate, and evaluate the program. Second, our programs are youth-relevant. Involving youth in the decision-making process allows them to identify the content that will keep them engaged in meaningful ways. Third, our programs are evidence-based. Designing youth-driven programs requires extensive field testing and continuous improvement to guarantee success. Fourth, our programs employ multi-dimensional perspectives of social justice; arts and culture; community organizing; social and emotional development; and workforce development, among others. Fifth, our programs are effective. Internal program evaluations demonstrate CityKids youth improve their educational outcomes; reduce behavioral issues; address emotional and family issues with help from support services; and reach their personal, short-term goals for school and work.
CityKids Repertory Company (Rep)
Through music and dance performances and corresponding workshops, Rep challenges communities to develop a response to relevant social issues. Each year entire school populations across New York City benefit from Rep and administrators often request to add CityKids’ school-based programs to their own curriculum. Rep members represent a cross-section of the urban-to-suburban youth who drive today's pop culture trends and icons. On an annual basis, over 100 young people are developed into artists and skilled performers through a selective three-tiered training process which consists of: Fresh Rep (6-12 months); Ensemble Rep (1-3 years); and Senior Rep (1+ years). Qualified instructors provide training in dance, vocal techniques, non-verbal communication, acting, writing, and other artistic disciplines.
In addition to the standard weekly training sessions, CityKids offers individual training for young people to develop specific performing arts areas. Rep members are also able to take part in other weekly group learning opportunities such as: Cubenomics: Hands-on instruction in the CityKids recording studio cube covering the technical aspects of music production and performance, structured guidance in channeling the use of spoken word, popular language, and other aspects of hip-hop culture into the positive communication; and New Works Lab: weekly sessions where youth create and hone new artistic skills and material. Answering the requests of our youth, this year’s NWL program is a choreography program to ‘flex and get lite”; which are dance terms for youth created choreography combining African dance, tap dance, break dancing and martial arts. More than 60 new young people have joined CityKids to participate in NWL this program year.
CityKids In Action (CKIA)
CKIA is our advanced youth leadership training program and has developed more than 1,000 young people as agents of positive community change. CKIA empowers youth to engage their peers and the broader communities where they live. Through interactive training that takes place in our safe space, young people can try out new skills and hands-on, challenging experiences leading their peers. CKIA youth develop valuable life skills and proficiency in interpersonal communication, conflict resolution and group facilitation. They also gain the capacity to act as leaders in everyday life and in organizing initiatives of their own. After completing an initial 3-phase training program, participants facilitate meetings, lead workshops in schools, design, plan and carry out community improvement projects, and participate in our annual Youth Leadership Conference over the summer. Last year, twelve youth facilitators completed CKIA are now planning and facilitating CityKids’ workshops.
Where we work
This profile needs more info.
If it is your nonprofit, add geographic service areas to create a map on your profile.
Login and updateExternal reviews
Financials
Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our 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.
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
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.
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.
Citykids Foundation, Inc.
Board of directorsas of 10/18/2016
Michael Sternberg
Morgan Stanley
Carissa Reiniger
Silver Lining Ltd.
Daniel S. Parker
Parker & Carmody, LLP
Michael Sternberg
Morgan Stanley
Brian Finn
Asset Management Finance
Patrick Henry
Deloitte
Laurie Meadoff
Laurie Inc. and Team
David Posen
Deutsche Bank
Amir Rozwadowski
Barclays Capital
Patrick Freeman
American Express
Carissa Reiniger
Silver Lining Ltd.
Steve Lord
Valguard Capital
Dawnald Henderson
Retired Attorney
Shari Food
The Narrative Method
Malik Yoba
Actor/Alumni
Robert Sherman
Growth Philanthropy
Tracy Dennis-Tiwary
Professor, Hunter College of The City University of New York