Project Title:
2025 Mental Wellness Teen Meet & Greet Luncheon
Submitted by:
Mommy & Daddy’s Little Angels Youth and Family Services Inc.
555 McClean Avenue, 4B
Staten Island, NY 10305
(212) 380-6989 | www.mdlayafsinc.com
EIN: 80-0340449
Donation Goal: $50,000
Project Overview:
The 2025 Mental Wellness Teen Meet & Greet Luncheon is a transformative, year-round initiative designed to create a safe, healing-centered space for underserved teens across New York City. Taking place monthly from January to December 2025, this program offers youth the opportunity to engage in positive peer interactions, learn essential mental wellness tools, and gain exposure to resources that foster personal growth, resilience, and leadership. Held at China Buffet in Staten Island and at our community-based hub in Brooklyn’s NYCHA Williamsburg Community Center, the luncheon is hosted in partnership with Grand Street Settlement.
This initiative is offered completely free to youth participants and includes a restaurant dining experience, structured wellness activities, community building, and access to professional mentorship. To ensure consistent delivery, we are seeking a $50,000 donation to underwrite the program for one full year.
Statement of Need:
Underserved teens face rising mental health challenges including anxiety, depression, bullying, and trauma exposure, particularly within low-income communities. Many youth lack access to supportive environments, positive role models, and safe spaces where they can openly express themselves. Some have never dined in a restaurant or experienced peer-led community engagement outside of school. The effects of social isolation, especially post-pandemic, have left many teens disengaged and vulnerable.
Our luncheon initiative provides a unique, trauma-informed solution that meets teens where they are—offering emotional support, mentorship, community connection, and the simple joy of being seen and celebrated. The program also directly addresses health equity by reducing barriers to mental health resources, life-skills education, and safe recreational spaces.
Program Description:
Each month, 40 teens and 10 chaperones will gather in a welcoming restaurant environment or community center space. The luncheon includes:
A full, all-you-can-eat meal and beverages
Youth-led and professionally guided group conversations on mental wellness, peer pressure, dating safety, and conflict resolution
Interactive sessions with guest facilitators on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and self-care
Access to care packages with hygiene supplies, journals, resource guides, and wellness tools
A vendor/resource table featuring services related to bullying prevention, gang avoidance, LGBTQ+ safety, and youth mental health
Giveaways, raffles, and creative expression activities
Teens will leave each luncheon with increased knowledge, stronger peer connections, and a deeper understanding of their emotional and mental health.
Goals and Objectives:
Provide monthly safe spaces for at least 480 teens annually to build emotional literacy and resilience
Reduce emotional distress and isolation among participants by offering peer support and professional guidance
Improve access to youth-centered mental wellness and leadership resources
Strengthen inter-agency partnerships that support youth empowerment
Expected outcomes include:
70% of youth reporting improved understanding of stress management and healthy decision-making
60% increase in participation in follow-up services and peer mentorship programs
Expanded reach into NYCHA housing developments and underserved schools
Funding Justification:
To sustain this program, we are seeking $50,000 to support:
$25,500 for 12 months of luncheons at $2,125 per event (covers meals for 50 attendees)
$10,000 for youth care bags, wellness materials, and facilitator stipends
$7,500 for guest speakers, entertainers, and workshop supplies
$5,000 for transportation support and outreach
$2,000 for data tracking, outcome measurement, and program evaluation
Sponsorship Opportunities:
Sponsor a Teen: $42.50 per teen
Monthly Program Sponsor: $2,125
Annual Program Champion: $25,500
In-Kind Donor: Contribute hygiene products, journals, resource materials, or transportation gift cards
Volunteer/Facilitator: Lead a session, host a table, or support teen engagement
Agency Background:
Founded in 2010, Mommy & Daddy's Little Angels Youth and Family Services Inc. is a Black-woman-led, community-rooted 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to dismantling systemic barriers for youth and families across New York City. With a mission to promote wellness, resilience, and equity, our services include educational enrichment, trauma-informed care, family advocacy, and basic needs assistance.
Our programs reflect cultural competence, lived experience, and best practices in mental wellness, peer mentorship, and youth leadership development. We operate with a wraparound model that emphasizes inclusion, accountability, and empowerment.
Conclusion:
This is not just a meal—it’s a movement. The 2025 Mental Wellness Teen Meet & Greet Luncheon is a foundational initiative that uplifts vulnerable youth and plants the seeds for lifelong emotional health, self-worth, and leadership. Your sponsorship will help ensure that no teen is turned away due to financial barriers.
We welcome the opportunity to partner with you in making this life-changing experience possible. Let’s invest in youth. Let’s build futures. Let’s change lives—together.
Thank you for your support and belief in our mission.
