In my Thanksgiving post I mentioned that my friend and I are in the process of starting an organization and my dad helped us put together a budget for it. Well, we've made some progress since then and I just figured I'd give some background information on what we're doing (and maybe a shameless plug or two).
This all started with an email I received at the end of the summer from an OutReach friend of mine (that she actually sent out to OutReachers to discuss her idea). She has previously worked with the Challenger Baseball League, a division of Little League, at her home and was hoping to bring this incredible opportunity for children with physical and mental disabilities up to NYC. Of course I was quick to jump on the bandwagon and now we're "business partners" so to speak.
We have applied for the Be a Changemaker Challenge in which students can create organizations that benefit the community and have the opportunity to apply to this competition to win up to a $10,000 grant. We just submitted our application on December 2 and should be hearing back shortly about the upcoming steps to take.
So this is our idea, which we have (what we feel to be very appropriately) called Play! It is a two-part program which will include sports and theater. Part One is the Challenger Baseball which we will begin next semester. We plan to collaborate with an already existing Little League Division that will then support us in setting up a Challenger Division at that park. We will have NYU students volunteer to be one-on-one buddies with the children. We plan to have baseball games once a week (they will arrive early to practice) and the NYU Buddies will be out on the field with the children. We'll conclude the year with a party and awards ceremony. We plan to have this part of the program occur every spring.
Part Two of the program is the drama/theater component which is also in two parts. During the fall semester, we plan to have an NYU student playwright write an ensemble-based play for the children, something that they can understand, and we will rehearse once a week throughout the semester. The children will be involved in all facets of the production from acting to set design, etc. Again, there will be NYU Buddies involved to be paired with the children. The second part of the program will occur each spring and will be rather similar EXCEPT...this time the NYU playwright from the fall will work with the students to create, develop, and write their own play which they will also perform at the end of the semester.
We feel this program is a great way for NYU students to use their assets and skills to benefit this incredible group of children. We also believe that by providing these children with the chance to participate in sports and theater, they will grow and find something to be passionate in, as my partner and I are passionate about each of these integral parts of Play! (special education, drama, performance, athletics) and all the benefits and lessons that come along with that like teamwork, collaboration, confidence, and community (among other things).
And...aside from hopefully beginning the non-profit status application process soon, we're looking to become a club at NYU so we can really integrate this program into the NYU community and gain student involvement as well as exposure about working with children who have special needs! I'm so excited!
And for the shameless plug...if you know anyone interested in getting involved with us either as participants, buddies, sponsors, etc.--we'd love to hear from them...please spread the word :)