Fresh Youth Initiatives, Inc.
I was introduced to Fresh Youth Initiatives by a friend and am very glad I was. While the work FYI does helps young people access a future that would otherwise be extremely difficult to reach, the impact of FYI is felt much farther and wider.
What makes FYI, and all organizations like them, so amazing is the talent and passion that they bring to their constituency. FYI provides a family environment for young people searching for role models. The executive director, Steve Ramos, and his staff never skip a beat when it comes to serving their kids and it's a delight, as a board member, to help facilitate those relationships.
All the stakeholders (parents, youth, staff, funders, the community, board members) are of one mind when it comes to the outcomes we seek at FYI: using community projects to teach leadership skills to young people. It's something we're all passionate about and we're thrilled to bring that to FYI.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The 17-18 year olds who graduate from the program and now volunteer to help the younger participants fully realize their potential.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
No changes. The neighborhood supports us, the staff work so hard and the young people are wonderful.
well i love this program but i wish that the program would give more oppurtunities to those who are age 15 to 17, these teens need help in getting involved in the community and its unfortunate that they arent able to join this program.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
great
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
let teens age 15 to 17 join as well not just 10 through twelve to give this oppurtunity to other teens.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
great
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
great
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
great
Ways to make it better...
everything was great
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
nothing
One thing I'd also say is that...
it was very fun
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
FYI is a great organization. It empowers kids and helps them connect with their community through service. It even taps into their entrepeneurial spirit by encouraging them to organize and lead their own community-service projects.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
many ways around my neighborhood.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
try to connect with local business and help young people understand and appreciate commerce and entrepeneurism-- maybe have them organize fund raisers.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the opportunity to meet so many other members of the community, both young people and adults, and also to participate in projects that make the community a better place to live.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
very motivated to make a difference but also enjoy the moment.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
get a lot more kids involved.
Ways to make it better...
I had time to get more involved.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
fundraising, growth vs. maintenance, keeping the same mission or updating in relation to changes in society.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I have really enjoyed my association with FYI and look forward to the future.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
For me, Fresh Youth Initiatives is not just an afterschool program or summer day camp program, but it has become like a home for me. Here, community service is a priority, from painting a mural to creating over a hundred sleeping bags to give out to the homeless. I’ve enjoyed working in New York City’s only youth run food pantry, the Helping Hands Food Bank where we provide bags of canned and dry goods to clients around the Washington Heights/Inwood area. To know I have changed a person’s life or the life of a community makes me realize that a little change makes a big difference. Community service is important in this organization, but the meaning of family, friends, fun and respect is just as vital. Children, young adults, and adults alike learn the impact of working as a team, becoming friends and discover that to get respect, you must give it. As well as learning values, participants learn how to act and grow in the work place. I myself have gotten a chance to grow from just a participant to a significant part of the organization. FYI integrates the entire community as a part of the business and in the process creates a safe environment for its children. I am glad to have found FYI because it has helped me grow in many ways
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
homeless shelters where you can see the warm handmade sleeping bags created by young children and adults.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
seeing the change in children as they grow interested in helping and respecting others.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
very helpful and friendly. They always made sure you understood how to do something such in as painting or in gardening.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
spread new buildings into different bouroughs so that all of New York would have a chance to change their community and make a difference.
Should this review be counted for a specific campaign?
Fresh Youth Initiatives
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
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