Stage Actor Foundation Grant Application
Date of Application:
November 23, 2009__
Legal name of organization applying: _________Affirmations____________________
(Should be same as on IRS determination letter and as supplied on IRS Form 990.)
Year Founded: ____ 1989 _______Current Operating Budget: _1.43 Million (Attachment 1)
Executive Director: __ Leslie Thompson_________ Phone number____ (248) 398-7105 _____
Contact person/title/phone number (if different from executive director) _____N/A___________
Address (principal/administrative office): ___ 290 West 9 Mile Road _____________________
City/State/Zip: _____ Ferndale/Michigan/48220______________________________________
Fax Number: __ (248) 541-1943____________E-mail Address: _ info@goaffirmations.org___
List any previous support from this funder in the last 5 years: ___________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Project Name: _____ JustDrama ___________________________________________
Purpose of Grant (one sentence): ___To use an After-School Theatre Program to encourage
positive social identity and relationships and to promote social justice education in LGBTQA
identified youth participants and local schools.
Dates of the Project: _ September 2010-June 2011 _ Amount Requested: $__ 97,136.75__
Total Project Cost: $_______ 114,672.69 _________________________________________
Geographic Area Served: ___ Oakland County, Michigan____________________________
__George Westerman________________
__ 11/23/2009 _____
Signature, Chairperson, Board of Directors
Date
__ George Westerman ________________
Typed Name and Title
__ Leslie Thompson _______________
Signature, Executive Director
__11/23/2009_____
Date
__ Leslie Thompson __________________
Typed Name and Title
1
Affirmations Community Center
290 West 9 Mile Rd
Ferndale, MI 48220
(248) 398-7105
Lulu Ailsa
Director
Stage Actor Foundation
3569 Broadway Blvd.
Lansing, MI
Dear Ms. Ailsa,
The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) community center,
Affirmations, is in need of financial assistance to incorporate a program to address outreach to
community members concerning issues of social justice. The JustDrama program we are hoping
to implement in Ferndale, MI to serve the LGBTQ youth population and their allies of Oakland
County Michigan will require support in the amount of $97,136.75. The program will
incorporate goals including increasing social respect and support from caring adults and peers,
increase in confidence and self-esteem for the participating youth, a focus on social justice
education and awareness of privilege and oppression while maintaining or strengthening
academic performance.
Our goals will be accomplished through partnerships and collaborations with community
members including volunteers and local schools. In order to achieve our objective we will be
hiring two (2) new staff to oversee and run the program. The Ferndale community is one that is
uniquely fit for this program as it is home to a large LGBTQ population and its politics are
progressive which creates the space for open discussion around these and other discussions
surrounding discrimination and marginalization. The LGBTQ population is one that is often
targeted and we feel the JustDrama program will provide the youth an opportunity to build
bonds and strengthen their ability to embrace their own identity. We are hoping this will
empower these youth to realize their own strengths and use those to affect change within their
community.
With the help of the Stage Actor Foundation we will be able to implement this program in a
community that will support it and ensure its success. These youth have something wonderful to
share and the JustDrama program will give them the avenue from which to uncover their talents.
Thank you for considering our proposal and for giving our youth a chance.
Best Regards,
Affirmations Staff
2
Attachments
Table of Contents:
Page 4
Executive Summary
Page 5-8
Statement of Need
Page 8
Project Goals and Objectives
Page 9-12
Implementation Plan/Project Narrative
Page 13-14
Evaluation Plan/Timeline
Page 15
JustDrama Budget
Page 15-19
JustDrama Budget Narrative
Page 20
Organizational Information
Page 21
JustDrama Logic Model
Page 22
References
Page 23-33
3
Executive Summary:
The JustDrama program for LGBTQ identified youth and their allies aged 14-18 in
Oakland County, MI aims to increase social respect and support from caring adults and peers,
increase in confidence and self-esteem for participating youth, focus on social justice education
and awareness of privilege and oppression while maintaining or strengthening academic
performance. Goals will be accomplished through partnerships and collaborations with
community members including volunteers and local schools. The youth will create their own
monologues and skits surrounding ideas of identity, oppression and privilege and perform them
at local schools to educate their peers in a unique and fun way. The Ferndale, MI community,
housing Affirmations community center – the program’s base - is one that is uniquely fit for this
program as it is home to a large LGBTQ population and its politics are progressive which creates
the space for open discussion around these and other topics surrounding discrimination and
marginalization. The LGBTQ population is one that is often targeted and we feel the JustDrama
program will provide the youth an opportunity to build bonds and strengthen their ability to
embrace their own identity. We are hoping this will empower these youth to realize their own
strengths and use those to affect change within their community.
4
Purpose of Grant:
Statement of Need
Affirmations Community Center is housed in downtown Ferndale, MI and serves the
population of Oakland County in Michigan’s greater metropolitan area of Detroit. Oakland
County is made up of 62 cities, villages and townships and ranges from blue-collar suburbs like
Ferndale and Hazel Park to more wealthy areas like Birmingham, Rochester, and Bloomfield
Hills (Wikipedia, retrieved 11/29/2009). As the figures below portray, Oakland County has a
relatively high median income ($75,540), in comparison to many urban areas in Michigan. The
largest percentage of people in the area (32.4%) is between the ages of 25 and 44 with
considerable percentage (25.2%) between 0 and 17. These numbers allow Affirmations a better
gauge on who this program could potentially serve as well as those who may be willing to give
some of their time to volunteer with the youth.
Oakland County is home to Ferndale, MI and Affirmations’ LGBTQ Community Center.
Ferndale is known for its progressive politics with the election of Michigan’s first openly gay
mayor elected in 2007(Wikipedia, retrieved 11/29/2009). Affirmations will be the point of
action for the JustDrama program and will be the contact space for the Oakland County Public
Schools in terms of recruitment and performances. The program will incorporate aspects of
Social Justice Education, theatre performance and skit/monologue writing, and
homework/educational assistance within an after-school Youth Development Model. “Social
Justice Youth Development is strengthened by youth and adult allies working together with a
common vision of social justice. This requires that adults take seriously their own development
and that youth workers shift how they conceptualize youth development (Ginwright & James,
2002).” The students in the area are primarily white (82.75%; Wikipedia, retrieved 11/29/2009)
and may not be as exposed to the realities of Social Justice Issues of privilege and oppression,
which is why the JustDrama program should prove successful in Oakland County.
5
The population that will be targeted for participation in the JustDrama Program will be
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) identified youth and
their allies. Affirmations provides support specifically to this population to work towards
empowering these youth to positively embrace their own identity and the diversity within their
community. The LGBTQ population is one that is often ignored, oppressed and continually
discriminated against and marginalized. “The trauma of persistent oppression coupled with
isolation and the inability to confront and change these oppressive conditions has led scholars to
believe that the presence of both can be lethal (Brooks-Gunn et al., 1997).” This community of
LGBTQA youth will have the space to express themselves through performing arts and creative
writing while building positive relationships with peers and adults who understand and accept
them for their whole selves. “A sense of belonging is also important during adolescence. Thus,
membership in different groups and subcultures can provide an environment of social
connectedness and acceptance (Gutiérrez & Spencer, 2007).”
As Ryan, Miller-Loessi & Nieri (2007) note, “good relationships with teachers and other
adults are major protectors against negative environmental pressures.” The youth serviced
through Affirmations are in need of these positive role models who promote positivity about
their identity and have the ability to speak with them about their marginalization and the
intersection of identities that can contribute to their oppression or privilege. The Youth
Development Model promotes three (3) main objectives.
First, the lives of urban youth are conceptualized within the terrain of the changing
political, economic, and social landscape where they and their families struggle for
economic survival, sustainability, and mobility. Second, we recognize how urban youth
define, negotiate, and struggle for their identities in oppressive environments. Third, we
explore how they, with an awareness of social justice, respond to forces that deem them
powerless, develop a sophisticated knowledge of the root causes of social problems, and
generate unique ways to contend with the larger political forces (Ginwright &
Cammarota, 2002).
Although Ferndale and Oakland County Michigan may not be considered urban in relation to
neighboring Detroit, the ideas of oppression are the same for the LGBTQ youth community.
This idea to use “positive youth development recognizes young people as active social
agents and shifts the attention from youth as ‘problems to solve’ to a perception of youth as
individuals with abilities and positive traits who can succeed if provided with adequate resources
and opportunities, relationships with caring adults, activities that build marketable skills, safe
places, healthy living, and opportunities to help others (Checkoway & Gutierrez, 2006;
Ginwright & James, 2002; Rhodes, Grossman, & Resch, 2000).” This is exactly the reason for
implementing the JustDrama program within the Affirmations paradigm. As explained in the
program implementation plan and narrative below, the youth will be provided the opportunity to
gain skills to become ‘active social agents’ through this comprehensive program. This will be
maintained through a physically and psychologically supportive environment, which was
deemed imperative by the Committee on Community-level Programs for Youth (Eccles &
Gootman, 2002). “Physically supportive environments include health-promoting facilities and
practices that increase safe peer interactions. Psychologically supportive environments involve
6
those setting where caring, loving, and competent adults provide secure attachments, are good
mentors and managers, and provide scaffolding for learning (Gutiérrez & Spencer, 2007).”
The importance of including members of the community and forming partnerships with
community organizations and coalitions has been a huge facet in developing the JustDrama
program. Through focus groups and work with the Michigan After-School Partnership we have
garnered much community support for the JustDrama program. Sixteen year-old Jamesha
shared, “I just don’t fit in with the groups at my school. I am looking for a place where I can be
myself without being made fun of. I love theatre, but my school’s program just doesn’t feel
right. I wish there was a place where I could talk about my oppression as a Black, Lesbian
young adult in a creative and welcoming space (See Attachment 11).” The JustDrama program
will be perfect for the many youth in Oakland County struggling with issues similar to what
Jamesha disclosed. Tyler, age 17, expressed, “it is a fact that high school students face a
tremendous amount of peer pressure and temptation every day. It is much easier to resist these
temptations when productive and fun alternatives are available.” This is one of the main reasons
the JustDrama program will run almost entirely after-school five (5) days a week during the
hours of 3:00-6:00pm which are often the hours where youth are most likely to engage in risktaking behaviors (Dryfoos, 1999; Snyder & Sickmund, 1999).
“Young people with nothing to do during out-of-school hours miss valuable chances for
growth and development. The odds are high that youth with nothing positive to do and nowhere
to go will find things to do and places to go that negatively influence their development and
futures (National Institute for Out-of-School Time, 2003).” With the Positive Youth
Development Model high expectations are set for each and every youth to contribute to the group
in a productive and positive manner while working to better themselves personally and
academically. “High expectations reflect a deep belief in young people’s innate resilience and
capacity to learn. It involves “seeing the possibility” and holding a vision for youth that they
could not see themselves (Gutiérrez & Spencer, 2007).” The JustDrama program will work to
empower youth to recognize their own areas of strength and push them to advance themselves in
a variety of areas. “Research demonstrates that high school ‘high achievers’ exhibit patterns of
1) developing a strong belief in self, 2) having supportive adults around them, 3) having a
network of other high achieving peers, 4) being involved in extracurricular activities, 5)
challenging their learning experiences, 6) having personal characteristics of strong motivation
and appreciation of their cultural background and having a strong sense of will power, 7) being
highly resilient and 8) having strong family support (Hebert & Reis, 1999).” The JustDrama
Staff and volunteer base will work with each participating youth to ensure these ‘patterns’ are
encouraged and improved.
“Young people need continuous exposure to positive experiences, settings, and people, as
well as abundant opportunities to refine their life skills so that they have the means to move into
productive jobs and other roles that build fulfilling relationships (National Research Council and
Institute of Medicine, 2002).” The focus of the program is to look at systemic oppression
through dialogue around personal experiences and then for youth to use their original abilities to
find a way to share their learning with their peers. This will provide them with confidence,
awareness of social justice, creative expression, and strong, supportive relationships with their
peers and invested adults. We hope the program will have results similar to the Mosaic Youth
7
Theatre of Detroit (detailed below) in facilitating youth to develop that sense of belonging as
well as awareness of oppressive systems. A member of the Mosaic Youth Theatre troupe
expressed her satisfaction: “By being in an environment of all ethnicities and people of different
sexual orientations, I was able to learn and appreciate people for who they are. When I came
into Mosaic, I was a very judgmental teen. To this day, some of my best friends are of opposite
races or gay or lesbian. Now I am able to educate my friends and family. The biggest attribute I
gained from Mosaic, was of a more personal growth (Gutiérrez & Spencer, 2007).”
Project Goals/Objectives
1. Encourage positive relationships with adults and peers
a. Quality time spent with 2 staff members, volunteers, and each other throughout
the entire year in a positive and pro-social environment
b. Provide alternative after-school program for 15-30 lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, queer/questioning youth and their allies ages 14-18
i. Hire 2 new employees at Affirmations, one full-time Master of Social
Work and one part-time Bachelor in Education both with a background in
theatre/performing arts
ii. Youth will participate in social justice theatre training and practice three
(3) days/week, MWF, from 3-6pm
iii. Study group will be available and recommended for each participating
youth from 3-6pm two (2) days/week, TTh
c. Volunteers recruited from the community to help throughout the week and with
Friday afternoon performances in the schools
2. Increase youth confidence and self-esteem
a. Provide skills in theatre and school in a supportive environment
b. Encourage critical consciousness to empower youth to see their current potential
3. Enhance awareness of Social Justice Issues
a. Intergroup Dialogue sessions will be done for the 1st hour of theatre practice each
week, three (3) days/week excluding Friday performance days
b. Development of skits and monologues with other youth and ‘directors’
concerning issues of social justice to share with the community and local schools
c. Equip Project Coordinator and Project Associate with training to facilitate
intergroup dialogue
i. Send both employees to 3 day intensive training in Ann Arbor, MI at the
University of Michigan School of Social Work
4. Improve school performance
a. See goal 1biii; work with school staff to monitor grades at four (4) checkpoints
throughout the year
b. Develop intervention plans if youth are not maintaining passing grades
8
Implementation Plan/Project Narrative
As clearly noted above, each of Affirmations’ four (4) goals for the JustDrama afterschool program are multifaceted. In order to fully meet and exceed the goals and objective,
many activities will need to be facilitated by staff and with community partnerships. Our first
stated goal is to encourage positive relationships with adults and peers. The JustDrama program
is set up to provide a supportive and educational environment for 15-30 youth ages 14-18 each
school day for the 2010-2011 school year between the hours of 3-6pm. Two (2) days each week
will be devoted to study hour for the participants and the other three (3) days will entail
development and practice of social justice education skits and monologues to eventually perform
for local schools. In order to provide this service, Affirmations will need financial backing to
hire two (2) new staff to facilitate the implementation of the program curriculum and build
relationships with the youth to ensure they have supportive and positive role-models. Volunteers
will also be recruited from the community to encourage the development of the youth in building
relationships with adults and in their academic success. Community volunteers will also be
essential in determining the success of the program through providing ideas for improvement
through the duration of the year.
The JustDrama program was developed to increase the confidence and self-esteem in the
youth by providing them with skills in creative writing, performing arts, academic abilities, and
positive relationships with others. The program will also encourage critical consciousness by
giving each student the space to understand how their own understanding of their identity
interacts with their peers, their family, the social systems under which they live, and their
culture(s). Because the program will run for the entire year it will allow the participants the time
necessary to fully hash-out all the intricacies of all the concepts that will be discussed. By the
end of the program year we are hopeful that talking through issues of identity and sharing their
experiences with their peers and at local schools that the youth will be confident in their new
abilities and more aware of themselves and their strengths. At this time they will also hold a
performance for the Oakland County/Ferndale community to showcase their favorite acts from
the previous year.
The third goal to enhance awareness of Social Justice Issues will occur through the
aforementioned activities and with the first hour Mondays and Wednesdays devoted to
Intergroup Dialogue concerning issues of oppression, privilege, diversity and social justice.
Their skills and understanding will be enhanced by the youth developing skits and monologues
concerning these topics on a personal or societal level to share and perform in neighboring
schools. This should not only aide their understanding of these concepts, but also provide a way
to empower these youth to advocate for themselves and those they care about through education
and speaking with people. In order to productively and responsibly engage the youth in this
form of conversation, the Project Coordinator and the Project Associate will have to be skilled
dialogue facilitators. To achieve this status we will be sending them both to a three (3) day
intensive training in Ann Arbor, MI where they will be able to explore their own awareness
levels of social justice issues. Since the Project Coordinator will be a current MSW he/she will
likely be more aware of the pervasiveness of and sensitivity required to deal with these issues
and will therefore be the lead facilitator.
9
It was important to the developers of this program and expressed clearly in focus groups
in the area to include time devoted to academic assistance as part of the after-school objectives.
In order to meet this goal, as stated previously, every Tuesday and Thursday will be devoted to
study time and homework assistance through the help of both the Project Associate and
community volunteers. The use of Affirmations’ space and computer lab will be essential in
ensuring the time is productive and helpful to the participating youth. Partnerships will be
established with each participating school to have access to the students’ files at a number of
time points throughout the year to keep school performance up and advancing (see detailed
evaluation plan on page 13 below for specifics on evaluative plans for each stated goal). The
following chart of key staff and their primary goals pairs directly with the program workplan
included below to outline the support needed, including when and why.
Key Staff and Partners
Project Coordinator
Project Associate
Evaluator
Project Volunteers
Board of Directors
Affirmations
School Partners
University of Michigan
Magic Bag Theatre
Meijer
Primary Goals
Develop supportive relationships with youth to promote
positive self-esteem, social justice awareness, and theatre
skills, train volunteers on cultural sensitivity
Develop supportive relationships with youth to promote
educational attainment, social justice awareness and
confidence
Corroborate with JD Staff to produce evaluative measures to
determine the project success and information to distribute to
project partners/supporters
Work with JD Staff and Youth Participants to ensure useful
curriculum choices and promote positive relationship building
Support the JD Program and ensure the project is progressing
smoothly and in line with Affirmations’ mission
Allow use of facilities and support the JD Program and ensure
the project is progressing smoothly and in line with their
mission
Provide space for youth participants to voice their learning
and creativity in supportive and educational setting, allow
access to student files for evaluative goals, give space in class
to reflect on learning through performances
Offer support through educational materials and dialogue
Make space available for Spring Performance at disc. Rate
Supply JustDrama program healthy snacks on a weekly basis
10
Project Workplan
Activity
Timeline
Hire JustDrama Staff
Train JD Staff
July 2010
August 2010
Develop Project Lesson Plans
Publicize Program
August 2010
August-September 2010
Recruit Students/Volunteers
Cooperate with Evaluator to
collect needed data etc.
Partner with Local Schools to
Organize Performances
Collaborate with Affirmations
for specific building/resource
needs
Develop SJ Skits/Monologues
with Youth Participants
Work with Students on
Educational Improvement
August-September 2010
August 2010– July 2011*
*See Timeline Below
September 2010
September 2010 –June 2011
September 2010 – March 2011
Responsible Party
Affirmations BOD
Affirmations’ Staff and UofM
Intergroup Dialogue Training
Project Coordinator
JustDrama & Affirmations
Staff
JustDrama Staff
Project Associate
Project Coordinator
Project Associate
Project Coordinator
September 2010– June 2011
Project Associate
Direct Youth Participants on
Theatre Skills and Performance
Facilitate SJ Intergroup Dialogue
September 2010- May 2011
Project Coordinator
Decide with Students Best Pieces
to Showcase at the Spring
Performance
April – May 2011
October 2010 – June 2011
Project Coordinator – Lead
Project Associate - Support
Project Coordinator
The program will be housed at Affirmations’ Community Center each day and will be
supplemented by the use of their computer lab through free membership for each participating
youth. Youth will work on their own awareness of Social Justice and prepare pieces to showcase
in local schools to promote that awareness to their peers. In order to do so transportation will be
needed for the youth (see budget/budget justification below). This will also require the
partnership with the participating schools to be strong as the youth will have to be released from
school early one Friday afternoon each month to perform in the schools. An evaluative tool (see
below page 13) will be developed to ascertain the success of the program on affecting the
awareness of issues of social justice of the school students not participating in the program but
witnessing the performances. The program will run each week starting in September and the
school performances will occur monthly starting in October and ending in April. May will
provide the month where there will be a community-wide Spring Performance to allow
community members and organizational supporters to experience student growth first-hand.
Although projects in Southeast Michigan already work with youth to develop skills in
performing arts and provide after-school care, the JustDrama program differs in its commitment
to Social Justice Education. Many of the ideals of the program were based on the success of
similar after-school projects such as the Michigan Youth Theatre based out of Holly, MI and the
11
aforementioned Mosaic Youth Theatre in Detroit, MI. The Michigan Youth Theater’s mission
“is to develop leadership, teamwork, and communications skills in youth ages 12 to 19 through
theater production experiences while providing professional quality, classics-based
live theater experiences and education for community schools and audiences of all ages.” While
The Michigan Youth Theatre’s model provides the theatre and community implementation in
their program, the JustDrama program also works with youth on their academics and similarly
gives youth a space to learn “self-respect and respect for others (Michigan Youth Theatre,
retrieved 11/29/2009)”.
The Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit is a spectacular program aimed at disadvantaged
youth in Detroit, MI to provide an expressive outlet and a space to build skills in theatre while
developing personal qualities to facilitate later life and academic success. “By highlighting the
immense talent of young Detroiters, Mosaic helps to create positive peer role models and young
people who can view a more positive future for themselves and for their community (Spencer &
Gutiérrez, 2007).” Their mission is one that greatly influenced the model for the JustDrama
program and we are hopeful we will be able to affect the type of commitment and appreciation
for our program from the youth and the community that Mosaic has accomplished in Detroit.
Both of the mentioned programs operate outside our targeted area, but we hope that through our
accomplishments we will be able to collaborate and share ideas between these existing and
successful programs throughout the year and in future years.
With the help of The Stage Actor Foundation’s we hope to continue this project for many
years to come. The expected results of the implementation of JustDrama in Oakland County’s
community will quickly be missed if not funded past this initial pilot year. The evaluation plan
below outlines the ways in which we plan to demonstrate the success in and need seen in this
community for a Youth Development program focused on Social Justice Education (see budget
justification section G for sustainable funding plan).
12
Evaluation Measures:
Committed
new staff
trained for
Intergroup
Dialogue/Com
munity Input
Pre-/Posttest for
Social Justice
Awareness both in
Schools and with
participants
Pre-/Posttest for
self-esteem and
confidence in
youth participants
Precise data
collected on
number of
participants and
volunteers for
study hours and
theatre sessions
Students' grades
are monitored
through
partnerships with
school staff
Performances
in schools and
final spring
performance
The precise manner in which all of the above mentioned evaluation procedures will take place
will be determined by a contracted program evaluation specialist; this includes specific tests to
determine social justice awareness in the participants and in the schools, confidence & selfesteem building, grade comparison, focus groups etc. (see Budget and Justification below).
Evaluation Timeline
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
June
July
1. Staff
Training
2. SE&C*
Pretest
3. SJA**
Pretest
4. Student
Grades
5. #’s data
collected
6. School
Perf.***
7. Spring
Perf.
8. SE&C
Posttest
9. SJA
Posttest
10.Comm.
Input
*SE&C = Self-esteem & Confidence
**SJA = Social Justice Awareness
***Perf. = Performance
13
Evaluation procedure will provide Affirmations with data to facilitate explanation for future
success of the program. Success for each component (in corresponding order) is defined as:
1. Completion of Intergroup Dialogue Training and willingness to facilitate youth dialogue.
2. One hundred percent (100%) of participants completing the self-esteem and confidence
pretest.
3. One hundred percent (100%) of participants in schools and program completing the Social
Justice Awareness pretest.
4. Grades of the students who participated in 80% of study sessions increased by a statistically
significant percentage; those with less than 80% attendance will not be included in the data area
of this section but the numbers and reporting will be clear and honest.
5. 15-30 LGBTQA identified youth participating in the program for the year, aged 14-18, from
throughout the Oakland County area. On a weekly basis, success will be 80% of the youth
participating in each theatre session and 65% in the educational activities/study sessions.
6. School performances completed each month scheduled.
7. Spring performance achieved on scheduled date with a crowd of 100 people or more; a
generation of $500-$1000 for Affirmations center ($10/ticket, student discount at $5).
8. Ninety percent (90%)* of participants completing the self-esteem and confidence posttest and
a significant increase in measured outcomes.
9. Ninety percent (90%)* of participants in schools and program completing the Social Justice
Awareness posttest and a significant increase in measured outcomes.
10. A total of three (3) focus groups performed throughout the year with community members
and committed volunteers beyond the initial community needs-assessment. Continued feedback
at any step of the program will be encouraged throughout the year.
* Accounts for potential attrition rates for students in schools and program
The end of June and early July will be devoted to compiling data and working with the
evaluation specialist to ensure all measures are clearly documented. Once assembled, the data
and program documentation of success and areas of improvement will be distributed to program
partners. This will provide space for development of the program for future years, reasons to
continue funding the program, and follow through with all community collaborators and funders
to make certain their involvement is appreciated and publicized; this will include news
announcements through Affirmations quarterly newsletter and promotion on goaffirmations.org.
Our success will be based on The Stage Actor Foundation’s generous support of our program
and will be advertised in such a way as to highlight this fact significantly.
14
JustDrama Budget
A. Organizational fiscal year: ____2010-2011______
B. Time period this budget covers: __12 months____
C. Expenses
Salaries
Payroll Taxes
Fringe Benefits
Consultants and
Professional Fees
Transportation
Insurance
Travel
Equipment
Supplies
Printing and Copying
Telephone and Fax
Postage and Delivery
Rent/Space
Utilities
Maintenance
Evaluation
Healthy Snacks
Requested
$63,600.00
$3,816.00
$19,080.00
$2,000.00
$1,750.00
$232.58
$242.88
$1309.87
$300.00
$1,000.00
$200.00
$300.00
$9407.00
$891.00
$4,056.00
Total Amount:
$104,136.75 Total In-Kind:
Amount
Requested*:
$97,136.75 Total Project
Expenses:
In-Kind
$351.94
$1650.00
$250.00
$100.00
$2,184.00
$6,000.00
$10,535.94
$114,672.69
*This is the net amount requested less the In-Kind and Committed Government and Individual Support
D. Budget Justification
A. Salaries: $63,600
Budget includes one full-time MSW for $42,000 for the Project Coordinator position and
$21,600 for one part-time Project Associate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education for 25
hours per week. The program is a total of 10 months with one month preparation time
and 1 month for wrap-up, program evaluation and information distribution.
The job descriptions and resumes for each employee are included (see Attachment 7).
Both the Project Coordinator and the Project Associate have backgrounds in theatre
and/or directing.
B. Fringe Benefits: $19,080
Fringe Benefits are calculated at 30% of employee salary; $12,600 for Project
Coordinator and $6,480 for part-time Project Associate. Benefits include full coverage
health, life, and disability insurance, vision, dental, and 401K contributions.
15
C. Consultants and Professional Fees: $2,000 In-Kind: $351.94
Budget includes Intergroup Dialogue Facilitators training for FTE and PTE; intensive 3
day training in Ann Arbor, MI $1,000/person which equals $2,000 combined (will use
skills each week which saves money in long run).
A professional theatre director will be consulted four times in the year to provide
assistance to the group on a voluntary basis through a connection with Affirmations’
mission. This will be an In-Kind contribution of 12 hours from a salary of $56,310
equaling $351.94.
D. Transportation: $1,750
The students will be performing at the local schools once a month from October to April
(7 months) on Friday afternoons. The bus to transport the students will be $250 for the 3
hours (2 performing hours and 1 hour for travel) each month. The total amount for the
buses will be $1750.
E. Travel: $242.88
Expenses include roundtrip mileage at $.44/mile to Ann Arbor and back (46 miles) for 3day training. Carpooling will be encouraged but the budget reflects 2 separate drivers.
F. Equipment: $1,309.87
A Blackberry phone to coordinate performances at the schools and keep organized data
of the project for $349.99 and the monthly plan fees associated with the Blackberry
requested for the Project Coordinator will total $959.88 for the year.
G. Supplies: $300 In-Kind: $1650
A request for $300 for supplies for the program will be used for homework help materials
and for props or any costume needs that may arise.
Participants will use the Readings for Diversity and Social Justice: An Anthology on
Racism, Anti-Semitism, Sexism, Heterosexism, Ableism, and Classism book by Adams,
Blumenfeld, Castañeda, Hackman, Peters, and Zúñiga (2000) at $45 per book for 30
participants equaling $1350. This will be supplemented by information garnered through
the training attended by both employees. The books will be donated through the
University of Michigan – School of Social Work from an invested member connection
(see Attachment 8 for Memorandum of Understanding).
Affirmations will also provide free computing services for the participating youth for the
5 days per week they attend the program. The typical membership fee for youth, which
allows them access to the computers, is $10 for youth 18 and under. The valued amount
for 30 youth is $300.
H. Printing and Copying: $1000
The expenses for printing and copying will be heavy for the year. They will include
printing of skits and monologues for each participant on numerous occasions. There will
16
also be publicity fliers needed for both the performances and the program itself. A
budget of $1000 for this aspect is requested.
I. Telephone and Fax: $200
Budget for phone and fax are included to reflect the usage of such for contacts with
caregivers of participants and schools for organizing performances. This is included
beyond the Blackberry for use by the Project Associate and for the receipt of messages
from school partners and community members.
J. Postage and Delivery: $300
A budgeted $300 has been included for distribution of materials to participants
throughout the year.
K. Rent/Space: $9,407 In-Kind: $250
The space in Affirmations that will be used will be one office area for both the full-time
and part-time project employees, the use of the computer lab two (2) – five (5) days per
week for 3 hours, and the auditorium/conference room for three (3) days per week for 3
hours each session. This usage amounts to a total of $8,657 for 10 months (12 months
for the office space).
The days when the students will be performing at the schools the usage of the building
will be unnecessary and the performances are free of charge and the schools will not be
charging for the use of their classrooms.
A contract has been established between the Magic Bag Theatre in Ferndale, MI and
Affirmations to allow for one Spring Performance at a discounted price of $750 valued at
$1000 for the space for 300 people for Friday, April 23rd from 7-9pm (see attachment 9
for Memorandum of Understanding).
L. Utilities: $891
The amount for facility utilities (heat, water, gas, electric, internet) is divided by the
number of employees at the center and comes out to $74.25/employee/month. Only fulltime employees are included in this number so the total amount requested will be $891
for 12 months.
M. Maintenance: In-Kind: $100
$100 In-Kind will be budgeted for the project for snow removal and general maintenance
for the year.
N. Evaluation: $4,056 In-Kind: $2,184
A Program Evaluation Specialist will be brought in to develop research-based bestpractice testing and compile data on self-esteem and confidence intervals and social
justice awareness. The evaluator will also assemble all gathered information on the
number of participants and community volunteers as well as collaborate with the schools
to determine changes in student performance. This evaluative service will be provided at
a discounted rate (35% off) by a valued member of and financial contributor at
17
Affirmations. The Memorandum of Understanding is included (see Attachment 10) for a
total of three (3) consultations in the year for four (4) days each totaling 96 hours. Her
normal fee is $65/hour equaling $6,240 and then subtracting the discount of $2,184, the
price for her service will be $4,056. The part-time Project Associate will be trained by
the evaluator on proper tools and procedures for collecting the data throughout the year.
O. Other - Healthy Snacks: In-Kind: $6000
$1/student/day for the 10 month program $6000 of donated healthy snack food through
one of the Board of Directors’ family members employed through Meijer’s Corporate
Office. The Memorandum of Understanding with Meijer is included below (see
attachment 11).
E. Revenue
Committed
1.Grants/Contracts/Contributions
Local Government
State Government
Federal Government
Foundations (itemize)
Corporations (itemize)
Individuals
Other (specify)
2. Earned Income
Events
Publications and Products
3. Membership Income
4. In-Kind Support
5. Other (specify)
Total Revenue
Pending
$5000.00
$2000.00
$10,535.94
$17,535.94
F. Explanation of Committed Support
A grant of $6000 has been provided by the Michigan After-School Initiative started in 2003 to
continue with the promise of their after-school program support. Affirmations provided the
committee with a description of the JustDrama program and stated that support was received
through another reputable funding source they would promptly provide their financial banking.
The Board of Directors’ President has also provided a generous contribution of $2,000 to ensure
Stage Actor Foundation grant guidelines and to show committed support of Board.
G. Sustainability Plan
The JustDrama program will start through the Stage Actor Foundation’s munificent support and
will be continued in the course of sustained community collaborations throughout the years to
come. Once other organizations see the benefit the program provides for the youth and the local
community (volunteer members and local school children) their espousal will be garnered. The
school budgets in Ferndale, MI and the surrounding Oakland County are on the higher end for
18
the Metro Detroit Area. Once the program is deemed successful in the pilot year a fee can be
attached to the monthly performances within the schools which will provide sustainable funding.
There are also a number of individual supporters of Affirmations Community Center who have
expressed interest in the program and their intent to provide funding once the data reveals the
program is beneficial for the LGBTQA identified youth in this community. Our initial year’s
data will also give us the information to provide to other foundations and organizations to secure
grant funding in a multitude of arenas.
H. Priority Items
The high priority items for the JustDrama program are the staffing expenses, including the taxes
and benefits, the consultation and evaluation fees and the copying and supply fees.
Organizational Information:
Vision: Affirmations is an evolving community center where all who gather are embraced and
are free to be their authentic selves.
Mission: Affirmations provides a welcoming space where people of all sexual orientations,
gender identities & expressions, and cultures can find support and unconditional acceptance
where they can learn, grow, socialize and have fun.
Affirmations was founded in 1989 to service the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender,
and Queer or Questioning (LGBTQ) community in Southeastern Michigan and their allies. The
center has relied heavily on the commitment of volunteers since its inception and only appointed
its first Executive Director in 1991. The current Executive Director, Leslie Thompson is devoted
to building the center in terms of members, volunteers, programs and community outreach, and
has been for the last 10 years. The Youth Services Program experienced tremendous growth in
1994 when left $150,000 as a donation by a loyal member, advancing the program to account for
50% of Affirmations’ staff and 35% of its useable space. Beyond the youth program the center
provides services to supplement community health services, provide LGBTQ focused men’s and
women’s rap groups, coming out groups, counseling services including Alcoholics and Narcotics
Anonymous specifically for LGBTQ identified individuals, groups for older adults, recreational
programs, family events and support groups, and an emergency helpline for information and
resources.
Centrally located in vibrant downtown Ferndale, just a mile from the Detroit border,
Affirmations is the center for LGBTQ activities throughout the community. In keeping with its
vision, Affirmations is the hub of the community, celebrating wellness, personal growth and
development, centered in a state-of-the-art, multi-use facility. Because of its ability to change
and meet community needs, Affirmations, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, has become not
only the largest LGBTQ organization in Michigan, but also one of the ten largest in the United
States.
19
Affirmations’ focus is on helping lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or
questioning individuals find and develop community where respect for oneself and others is
highly valued. Affirmations philosophy promotes the principle of empowerment and educates
volunteers to utilize strength-based and holistic approaches. Through training in the basic
operations of the center (listening, communication, empathy, problem solving, facilitation, and
other appropriate skills) interested and dedicated individuals can successfully volunteer at
Affirmations.
Holistic and strengths-based approaches to programs and services at Affirmations help to
counter the impact of heterosexism and homophobia that indicate LGBTQ people are somehow
deficient. LGBTQ people still live in a world that does not always recognize and honor all
identities. Affirmations believes that people are more than any one aspect of their identity, and
that their sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, race, class, education, religion, or physical
abilities do not solely define them. Affirmations’ programs and services are designed in a way
that allows for the opportunity to integrate one's sexual orientation and gender identity into all
aspects of one’s life. Programs and services offered help to reinforce the wholeness, strength,
and resiliency of LGBTQ people.
20
Environmental
Scan
Goals and
Objectives
Activities
Inputs
Outputs
Outcomes/Impact Measurements
34% btw 0-24
Provide
alternative afterschool program
for 15-30
LGBTQA
identified youth
ages 14-18.
Provide youth with
theatre lessons 3
days/week from 36pm
(1st hour dialogue)
1.5 FTE
-benefits
-mileage
15-30 teens
served and
participated
Increased
positive social
supports
Pre-/posttests on
relationships and
self-esteem
Transportation
X# of volunteers
Spring
performance
Theatre/drama
production
Copying
Positive
relationship with
caring adult
Estimated
Population:
1,202,174
Median income:
$75,000
Large LGBTQ
population
Progressive
politics- first
openly gay
mayor in state of
MI- 2007
The Magic Bagcollaborate to use
theatre space
No other theatre
programs that
incorporate social
justice education
and academic
assistance
Give outlet
through
theatre/drama
Provide Social
Justice
Education (SJE)
Encourage
positive
relationships
with adults and
peers.
Provide study
space/time 2
days/week from 36pm
Enter partner schools
to provide SJE
through student skits
once a week
Hire 2 new staff, 1
full time MSW with
theatre background;
one part time with
theatre/education
background
Recruit youthschools,
Affirmations
Increase school
performance
Attain space for
practice
(affirmations) and
performance (Magic
Bag)
Increase
confidence and
self-esteem of
participants
Provide healthy
snacks for youth
Publicize presence
and performances
Equipment
(stage props,
sets, scripts etc.)
Space/
Auditorium
In-Kind
Healthy Snacks
Volunteers
Access to
Computer Lab Membership
Outreach to
schools and
LGBTQA
identified teens on
Social Justice
Issues
Skills built
surrounding
theatre/drama
Funds generated
for Affirmations
from theatre
performance
Increased
performance in
school
Increase in selfesteem of
participants
Alternative ways
for youth to
express
themselves
through the arts
Greater
awareness of
Social Justice
Issues in schools
# of students
participating
both in drama
and study hours
Participants’
school grades
Pre-/posttests on
awareness of
Social Justice
Issues for
participants and
students after
one year
# of volunteers
21
References:
Brooks-Gunn, J., Ducan, G. J., Klebanov, P., & Sealand, N. (1997). Do neighborhoods influence
child and adolescent development, American Journal of Sociology, 99(2), 353–395.
Dryfoos, J. G. (Fall 1999). The Role of the School in Children's Out-of-School Time. The Future
of Children 9(2), 117-134.
Eccles, J., Gootman, J. (2002). Community Programs to Promote Youth Development:
Committee on community-level programs for youth. National Research Council and
Institute of Medicine.
Ginwright, S., Cammarota, J. (2002). New Terrain in Youth Development: The promise of a
social justice approach journal. Social Justice, Vol.29.
Ginwright, S., James, T. (2002). From Assets to Agents of Change: Social justice, organizing,
and youth development. New directions for youth developments, No.96.
Gutiérrez, L., Spencer, M.S. (2007). Excellence on Stage and In Life: The mosaic model for
youth development. Mosaic Youth Theatre, University of Michigan.
Michigan Youth Theatre, retrieved 11/29/2009: mission, project details
http://www.michiganyouththeater.org/about.php
Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, retrieved 11/29/2009: mission, project details
http://www.mosaicdetroit.org/about.htm
Newman, S.A.; Fox, J.A.; Flynn, E.A.; Christeson, W. (2000). America’s After-School Choice:
The Prime Time for Juvenile Crime, or Youth Enrichment and Achievement. Fight
Crime: Invest in Kids.
Newman, S.A.; Fox, J.A.; Flynn, E.; Christeson, W., (2003). Fight Crime: Invest in Kids
Michigan. From Michigan’s Front Line Against Crime: A School Youth and Violence
Prevention Plan.
Snyder, H. N. & Sickmund, M. (1999). Juvenile offenders and victims: 1999 National Report.
National Center for Juvenile Justice.
Thomas D. Watkins, Jr. Nannette M. Bowler Michigan After-School Initiative 2003 Report
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/21st_CCLC_MASI_Report_80337_7.pdf
22
Attachment 1: Source of Data
All information included referring to Attachment 1 has been fabricated for the purposes of the
Social Work 663 Grant Writing Course in the Fall of 2009.
23
Attachment 2: Copy of the current IRS determination letter
24
Attachment 3: Board of Directors
George Westerman, Business Development, IBM
President
Mary Rose MacMillian, Deputy Corporation Counsel, Wayne County
Mark Blanke, CFO, Delfingen
Treasurer
William Korsak, Xerox
Secretary
John Edwards, VP of Business Intelligence, Blue Cross / Blue Shield of Michigan
Torii Hamilton, Pension Analyst, Ford UAW Retirement Board of Administration
Melody "Zip" Johnson, Accounting Manager, Michigan Minority Business Development
Council
Nancy Katz, Attorney
Amrit Kohli, Senior .NET Lead Developer, Computer Consultants of America
Michael Lary, WDC Director, City of Ferndale
David Light, Product Design Engineer, Visteon
Rebecca Mork, Emergency Tech, Henry Ford Healthcare System
Travis Parman, Manager-Consumer Media Strategy, General Motors
Roger Reisdorf, Executive Assistant, Detroit People Mover
Lester Thompson, Sr. Manager-Tax Services, Ernst & Young
Vanita Wallace, Realtor/Notary Public, Century 21 Town & Country
25
Attachment 4: Finances (Annual Operating Budget – expenses and revenue & most recent
annual financial statement)
26
Attachment 5: Letters of Support
27
Attachment 6: Annual Report
28
Attachment 7: Job Descriptions and Employee Resumes
29
Attachment 8: University of Michigan Memorandum of Understanding
30
Attachment 9: Magic Bag Memorandum of Understanding
31
Attachment 10: Evaluator Memorandum of Understanding
32
Attachment 11: Meijer Memorandum of Understanding
33