Submitted by:
Mommy & Daddy’s Little Angels Youth & Family Services Inc.
www.mdlayafsinc.com
Dr. Vanessa Yvette Collins, Founder & Executive Officer
Program Overview
"From Vision to Action" is a transformative 12-month educational initiative designed to equip 100 teenagers residing in NYCHA housing developments across all five boroughs of New York City with the knowledge, skills, and tools to establish their own nonprofit organizations. This initiative addresses economic disparities, educational inequity, and the urgent need for generational wealth creation by teaching youth the fundamentals of nonprofit development, financial literacy, and civic leadership.
This program will provide hands-on, culturally relevant training in nonprofit startup, federal/state/city-level filings, banking, budgeting, grant readiness, and sustainable community engagement. Youth participants will not only envision solutions for their communities—they will formally establish entities to carry them out.
Program Goals & Objectives
Goal:
To teach and support 100 NYCHA-residing teens in launching federally recognized nonprofit organizations that respond to their community’s needs.
Objectives:
Provide 150 hours of live instruction over 6 months (25 hours/month).
Deliver 6 months of ongoing mentorship and line training (1 hour/month).
Guide students through the completion of federal Form 1023-EZ, NYS incorporation, and local business filings.
Teach critical life and entrepreneurial skills, including financial management, strategic planning, banking, and partnership building.
Foster generational wealth and leadership by enabling teens to legally build and manage community-serving institutions.
Target Population
100 teenagers (ages 14–19) living in NYCHA housing developments across Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island
Priority will be given to youth who are:
First-generation college students
From low-income households
At-risk for academic disengagement
Interested in entrepreneurship or community leadership
Curriculum Structure
Phase 1 – Nonprofit Formation & Education (6 months)
In-person workshops (25 hours/month) covering:
Nonprofit purpose, mission, and vision
Community needs assessment
Federal 501(c)(3) process via Form 1023-EZ
NYS Incorporation ($75)
NYC Filing ($25)
Organizational structure and bylaws
Intro to grant writing and fundraising
Banking, budgeting, and compliance
Phase 2 – Mentorship & Technical Support (6 months)
One-hour monthly virtual sessions focused on:
Strategic growth
Grant readiness
Partnership development
Long-term sustainability
Peer-to-peer network building
Program Outcomes
By the conclusion of the program, participants will:
Legally establish a nonprofit organization with federal and state recognition
Develop foundational knowledge of nonprofit management, compliance, and finance
Gain confidence in banking, community partnerships, and wealth creation
Possess a documented pathway to continue growing their nonprofit with access to mentors and resources
Budget Summary
Item Amount
Instructor Compensation (12 months) $15,000
Filing Fees (100 teens x $275) $27,500
NYS Incorporation Fees (100 x $75) $7,500
NYC Business Filing Fees (100 x $25) $2,500
Transportation & Youth Incentives $7,500
Program Materials & Supplies $15,000
Total Estimated Budget $75,000
Program Fee: $65 per student, generating $6,500 in leveraged participant support.
In-Kind Contribution:
Full classroom space donation for all in-person sessions
Sustainability & Long-Term Impact
This program is not a one-time initiative. Each teen who completes the program will serve as a community founder, mentor, and advocate—establishing a pipeline of nonprofit leaders and future grant recipients. By embedding financial knowledge and leadership skills at a young age, this initiative directly supports the reduction of systemic poverty and supports intergenerational empowerment within public housing communities.
Call to Partnership
We invite funders, community stakeholders, and civic leaders to invest in this bold vision. The support of this program will yield long-term social return: from empowered teens to empowered neighborhoods. Your partnership enables us to build the leaders, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists of tomorrow—starting today.
