GOLD2023

Project Morry

Our Youth Our Community Our Future

aka Project Morry   |   Port Chester, NY   |  www.projectmorry.org

Mission

Project Morry is a nationally recognized year round youth development organization dedicated to empowering children from under-resourced communities to create a positive future. Our ten-year commitment to each child closes the opportunity gap through a combination of academic enrichment and support, leadership development, an exceptional summer camp experience, and one-on-one mentoring. Youth participate free of charge. Project Morry changes the outcomes for 400 students annually from under-resourced communities in the tri-state area by improving opportunities through proven programs: 98% of Project Morry students graduate from high school on time, 85% attend college and 91% of those who attend college graduate. They are leaders at school and in their communities.

Ruling year info

1996

Executive Director

Dawn Ewing

Main address

1 Gateway Plaza Suite 1D

Port Chester, NY 10573 USA

Show more contact info

Formerly known as

Morry's Camp

EIN

13-3851126

NTEE code info

Youth Development Programs (O50)

Recreational and Sporting Camps (Day, Overnight, etc.) (N20)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

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Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Millions of young people in America face gaps in opportunity that prevent them from reaching their potential in their education, career and contribution to their communities. We're changing the outcomes for young people in the tri-state area by improving opportunities and learning experiences through proven programs.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Undergrad

The Undergrad program marks the beginning of a youth’s participation in Project Morry and serves children 9 to 12 years old. Selected for Project Morry by a teacher, guidance counselor, social worker or after-school program staff member, each child and their family are asked to make a commitment to a multi-year involvement in our year-round program which includes monthly school year meetings.

Children who participate in Project Morry for the first year are completing the fourth grade, and the oldest boys and girls in the Undergrad Program are completing the seventh grade. September marks the beginning of school year meetings for young people in the Undergrad Program. Students utilize the "Path to Success Passport” which is designed to track the student’s ability to identify and then achieve goals related to school, home and camp. Each meeting focuses on a theme including "Setting Goals,” "Overcoming Our Daily Obstacles,” "Actions to Make Our Community Stronger,” "Evaluating and Pushing Forward Towards My Goals” and "Continuing Our Adventure.”

The curriculum guides children through a critical period in their educational and social development, while providing long-term support. The school year presence gives each student the necessary reinforcement of important lessons and values learned that can make an impact on their day-to-day lives and futures. Children set their own goals, overcome obstacles by identifying and utilizing their resources and experience the self-confidence gained through these efforts.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth
At-risk youth

For students who have graduated from the Undergrad Program, the Post Grad Program is a commitment of an additional five years and tracks the development and growth of each young adult through high school graduation. Youth enter the eighth grade and are accepted through an application process involving a personal essay, references and demonstrated family participation.

The Post Grad Program requires a higher level of responsibility and focuses on increased life skills and the opportunity to explore educational and leadership initiatives. Throughout the school year, more than 100 Post Grads attend monthly meetings in their communities and enjoy educational, career-oriented and recreational activities.

At the structured, school year meetings, Post Grads are challenged to examine their lives, assess the consequences of their decisions, examine their motivations, and evaluate their short- and long-term goals. By exploring life’s obstacles, challenges and new experiences, young people determine how they can make a contribution to team building. The team gains its strength and momentum based on understanding, cohesiveness and leadership. Post Grads are faced with a higher level of personal responsibility, freedom, the expectation of thoughtful decision-making and the requirement to demonstrate respect for one another.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth
At-risk youth

Where we work

Videos

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

Project Morry is a nationally recognized youth development organization that empowers youth from underserved communities to envision a positive future and close the achievement gap. Project Morry students graduate from high school and college at an average rate nearly 30% greater than their home communities. Youth not only improve their academic performance but transform their lives by learning to advocate for themselves, developing positive core values, building a greater sense of personal responsibility, and gaining a sense of their own worth, purpose, and promise.

Project Morry works with youth and their families from 4th grade through the first year of college, providing academic enrichment, leadership and mentoring opportunities, and an intensive residential summer camp experience.

Youth attend structured school year meetings designed to track the student's ability to identify and then achieve goals related to school, home and camp. Children set their own goals, overcome obstacles by identifying and utilizing their resources and experience the self-confidence gained through these efforts. Youth learn to examine the consequences of their actions and the impact of their choices on their relationships with friends, families and communities.

A key component is also the close partnership of Project Morry staff with parents and communities throughout the 10 year commitment made with each youth. Staff stay in close contact with students and their families, supporting them in addressing challenges, meeting regularly with teachers and social workers as well as celebrating milestones and achievements.

Our full time program staff have over 60 school year meetings in 6 different communities. We are in constant engagement with our students, parents, and community partners to identify and address challenges. Our program staff is also the leadership team during our summer camp component ensuring that all camp staff are implementing Project Morry practices and core values with our students. To support this, Project Morry actively supports professional development of staff in youth development, social justice, and 21st century skill development.

In 2017, 100% of Project Morry High School Seniors graduated on time compared to a rate of 53% of low income students in NYS. 96% of those graduates have enrolled in college or the military (77% of Project Morry students are first generation college students). 91% of those enrolled will go on to earn a college degree compared to 9% of low income students nationally. Of our younger students, 98% matriculated to the next grade on time. Going forward, Project Morry will continue to expand opportunities for leadership development through our mentoring and internship initiatives as well our college and career readiness programs. We will identify how to better support SEL skill development earlier to provide greater gains in the critical middle school and high school years. We will also create more formal data collection for our alumni to better measure long term success.

Financials

Project Morry
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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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

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Project Morry

Board of directors
as of 01/20/2023
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Adam Diamond

ADT Pizza LLC

Term: 2023 - 2026

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 1/10/2023

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Female, Not transgender (cisgender)
Disability status
Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

 

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.

Equity strategies

Last updated: 01/04/2021

GuideStar 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

Data
  • We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
  • We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
  • 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.
Policies and processes
  • 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 help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
  • 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.