Humanizing Education

The Steen Foundation's current work is targeted at ensuring students who currently attend public schools that have been underfunded and are still closed due to COVID-19 do not slip through the cracks. Also, we are aligning student's current interests with careers that meet their interest by creating a pipeline that provides opportunities and resources to ensure their success.

Our goal would be to provide the necessary resources, programs and opportunities(fellowships, internships, stewardship, mentorship and scholarship opportunities) that will increase student growth & progress in school, align students with interest based career opportunities and provide resources for underserved public school students to enhance their skills, while taking advantage of their potential.

If selected as the recipient of this funding, the Steen Foundation would be able to triple the impact amongst school aged youth in various communities within Detroit, Louisiana and Atlanta. This program can be scaled globally - contingent on capacity.

The Steen Foundation's team is working to fix issues for underserved youth in primarily public schools across the country. 

Detroit Public School Community District lost approximately $6.5 million under Public Act 8. In conjunction, the budget for art classes, musical theater and stem programs have been underfunded or diminished in the attempt to save the schools. The removal of these programs unconsciously strips the creative and innovative output of students, while deterring them from inquisitive thinking, and their ability to socialize in a effective manner. 

After providing multiple opportunities including our Youth 4 Hour Mural Challenge, which allows youth the opportunity to paint a Mural addressing an issue that is impacting them. The winning piece is put in a public space - most recently the winning piece was put in the Detroit Zoo. The winning youth artist received a full-ride scholarship to the College for Creative Studies and a grant to fix the issue they addressed in the mural.

The Steen Foundation realized that education inequality and the lack of humanization in education was impacting various youth across the country and there has been an increase due to COVID-19. This prompted our expansion plan and youth career development initiatives.

The Steen Foundation serves as a vessel to support underserved youth and provide equitable opportunities that allow youth to remain at the front-lines of determining the solutions for issues that impact their futures. 

If selected as the recipient, the Steen Foundation will provide safe in-person and virtual educational programs (art, STEM and performing arts) and tutoring opportunities for fundamental courses(math, english, history and science)  that have been stripped from various public schools across the country.

Also, the Steen Foundation will continue to provide and increase the necessary resources, opportunities(fellowships, internships, stewardship, mentorship and scholarship opportunities) that will increase student growth & progress in and after school, align students with interest based career opportunities and provide resources for underserved public school students to enhance their skills, while taking advantage of their potential.

The Steen Foundation's current work is targeted at engaging students who currently attend public schools that have been underfunded and are still closed due to COVID-19 with no plans on returning. Many of these schools are filled with students of color with various socioeconomic statuses.

Our team used backwards designed when engaging with community partners. We do not go into communities with our own preconceived ideas or cookie cutter solutions. Our focus is to meet our community partners where they are at, learn as much as we can( for larger projects we gather community leaders/stakeholders/youth participants to serve as advisory board members to ensure the communities interest are being met) and provide the necessary support and resources to ensure their needs are being met.

The Steen Foundation is enabling access to quality learning experiences in low-connectivity settings by serving as a vessel to support underserved youth and provide equitable opportunities that allow youth to remain at the front-lines of determining the solutions for issues that impact their futures.

We are providing opportunities and resources based on the needs of youth in the communities we serve. In the process of humanizing education by providing equitable opportunities through various educational programs; we will continue championing imaginative play, collaborative projects, and hands-on experiments to ensure we engage as many students, schools, families and communities as possible.

The Steen Foundation has been committed to humanizing education by providing equitable opportunities since 2018. Our work and mission is consistently evolving, because the needs of our community continue to change.

We are still a relatively new organization, but we have done a lot of phenomenal work and based on our annual evaluations our community thinks so too! Our great evaluation only encourages us to improve and grow our impact within our community and new communities across the country that are impacted by these inequities.     

The Steen Foundation's approach to community and youth engagement is using backwards design to identify the crucial need(s) of our community and provide resources to fix them.

Many organizations come to communities with their own perspective, requirements and plans, while disregarding the needs of the community. We are actively working to dispel this way of operating by identifying communities that need our support,working with them to identify the cause of their issue(s), provide resources to fix the issue(s) and evaluate our impact, while leveraging our current impact to broaden our work across the board.

The Steen Foundation will continue to ensure our program's youth and community participants remain at the front-lines of solving issues that directly impact them and their futures. If awarded will help us continue this positively disruptive way of community engagement in underserved communities, while deepening our long-standing partnerships across the country. 

The Steen Foundation has served over 3,000 youth and over 200 hundred families through our programming. The needs of our community consistently change and our focus is on meeting them where they are and providing quality formative programs.  

As we continue to broaden our network, leverage our partnerships and provide impactful resources our potential is endless. Our goal is to continue providing quality resources and programs and serves as many people as we feasibly can.

This challenge will help ensure that we get closer to reaching our full potential.

The Steen Foundation has annual evaluation done by our community advisors and we provide surveys after every event, activity and program to ensure we improve upon our service to the people in our valued communities.

Our approach to evaluation is learning what the long-term impact of our programs are and how me can improve the way we engage the communities we serve. Over 58% of our youth have joined a secondary program based on their interest in STEM, art and entertainment. Out of that percentage 36% of our youth participants have secured internships, fellowships, scholarships and career development opportunities.

These percentages are decent, but our team will not be satisfied until we are able to reach 100% long-term impact in the communities we serve - especially with your organization's support.

We have 20 committed volunteers and over 50 community partners who support and lead our work.

The Steen Foundation's governing board is made up of current and retired teachers and school administrators, current DPSCD students and community leaders/stakeholders. Our board, volunteers and community partners all reflect the values of our organization and most importantly the values of the communities we serve.

Our team is representative of the communities we serve and we are actively leveraging our team's partnerships to further our impact. Also, the Steen Foundation ensures the communities we serve remain at the front-lines of fixing their issue(s) with our resources.

The Steen Foundation's board consistently works towards supporting, advocating and embracing organizations, programs, projects and trainings that further equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility. While working to humanize education we service majority communities of color, which have been historically under-serviced and undervalued. This is why it is essential that we allow our communities to remain in control of their narrative, so that they can be at the front-lines of every issue.

Internally the Steen Foundation's board is made up of predominantly people of color who are very thoughtful in the way we engage communities, partners, projects and funding opportunities. We do not allow marginalization, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, racism, unethical fundraising practices and any other form of discrimination against a individual or a group of people. Our team consistently evaluates our impact to ensure that our mission is aligned with our organization and our served communities needs.

The Steen Foundation is committed to serving and supporting our community with all of our resources and connections -especially with the advancement of equity and technology. The various resources that are provided by your organization are a necessity for our sustainability and we embrace formative partnerships of any kind.

Our team has reviewed your website and seen all of the amazing projects you have supported and championed and we think that our work and our served communities are worth of your support. Also, we believe in mutually beneficial partnerships, if accepted to this challenge and any other challenge we are more than willing to provide our limited, but beneficial resources to your organization. 

The Steen Foundation, if accepted will request some support in marketing our new programs and we will leverage our relationship with your organization to further our work into new communities across the country.

Also, we will be increasing our online presence to ensure the accessibility of our programs - especially our webinars.

The Steen Foundation is open to any partnership, as long as the individuals, groups or organizations align with our mission and approach when engaging communities. Our team is open to connecting with any MIT faculty or initiatives.

The Steen Foundation's initial issue that we are working to fix for underserved youth, primarily in public schools across the country first started in Detroit. 

Detroit Public School Community District lost approximately $6.5 million under Public Act 8. In conjunction, the budget for art classes, musical theater and STEM programs have been underfunded or diminished in the attempt to save the schools. The removal of these programs unconsciously strips the creative and innovative output of students, while deterring them from inquisitive thinking, and their ability to socialize in a effective manner. 

After providing multiple opportunities and programs including our Youth 4 Hour Mural Challenge, which allows youth the opportunity to paint a Mural addressing an issue that is impacting them. The winning piece is put in a public space - most recently the winning piece was put in the Detroit Zoo. The winning youth artist received a full-ride scholarship to the College for Creative Studies and a grant to fix the issue they addressed in the mural.

The Steen Foundation realized that education inequality and the lack of humanization in education was impacting various youth across the country and there has been an increase due to COVID-19. This prompted our expansion plan and youth career development initiatives.

The Steen Foundation's initial issue that we are working to fix for underserved youth from various backgrounds, primarily in public schools across the country first started in Detroit.

Detroit Public School Community District lost approximately $6.5 million under Public Act 8. In conjunction, the budget for art classes, musical theater and STEM programs have been underfunded or diminished in the attempt to save the schools. The removal of these programs unconsciously strips the creative and innovative output of students, while deterring them from inquisitive thinking, and their ability to socialize in a effective manner. 

After providing multiple opportunities and programs including our Youth 4 Hour Mural Challenge, which allows youth the opportunity to paint a Mural addressing an issue that is impacting them. The winning piece is put in a public space - most recently the winning piece was put in the Detroit Zoo. The winning youth artist received a full-ride scholarship to the College for Creative Studies and a grant to fix the issue they addressed in the mural.

The Steen Foundation realized that education inequality and the lack of humanization in education was impacting various youth across the country and there has been an increase due to COVID-19. This prompted our expansion plan and youth career development initiatives.

 Also, if accepted we will higher a program officer to ensure this funding is allocated specifically for refugee inclusion and provide specific metrics and evaluations to ensure that all youth experience an equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible educational experience.

The Steen Foundation's initial issue that we are working to fix for underserved youth, primarily in public schools across the country first started in Detroit. 

Detroit Public School Community District lost approximately $6.5 million under Public Act 8. In conjunction, the budget for art classes, musical theater and stem programs have been underfunded or diminished in the attempt to save the schools. The removal of these programs unconsciously strips the creative and innovative output of students, while deterring them from inquisitive thinking, and their ability to socialize in a effective manner. 

After providing multiple opportunities and programs including our Youth 4 Hour Mural Challenge, which allows youth the opportunity to paint a Mural addressing an issue that is impacting them. The winning piece is put in a public space - most recently the winning piece was put in the Detroit Zoo. The winning youth artist received a full-ride scholarship to the College for Creative Studies and a grant to fix the issue they addressed in the mural.

The Steen Foundation realized that education inequality and the lack of humanization in education was impacting various youth across the country and there has been an increase due to COVID-19. This prompted our expansion plan and youth career development initiatives. 

We are progressively expanding our stem programming, if accepted this funding will be allocated towards our programs with Afrofuture Youth. This organization will lead the way and help us provide the most accessible STEM programs across the country.

The Steen Foundation's initial issue that we are working to fix for underserved youth across the country first started in Detroit. 

Detroit Public School Community District lost approximately $6.5 million under Public Act 8. In conjunction, the budget for art classes, musical theater and stem programs have been underfunded or diminished in the attempt to save the schools. The removal of these programs unconsciously strips the creative and innovative output of students, while deterring them from inquisitive thinking, and their ability to socialize in a effective manner. 

After providing countless resources and opportunities towards our mission the Steen Foundation realized that education inequality and the lack of humanization in education was impacting various youth across the country and there has been an increase due to COVID-19. This prompted our expansion plan and youth career development initiatives. 

Our director who was mentored by Jane Goodall for 3 months in Tanzania during his fellowship, which prompted his passion for service learning is committed to the advancement of women in STEM, education and arts and culture. This opportunity will allow our organization to pass along the many lessons and gifts provided by Jane Goodall to so many deserving women and girls across the country. We will partner with the Jane Goodall Roots and Shoots program to provide internships, fellowships and projects specifically tailored to women and girls advancement in technological innovation.

The Steen Foundation's initial issue that we are working to fix for underserved youth, primarily in public schools across the country first started in Detroit. 

Detroit Public School Community District lost approximately $6.5 million under Public Act 8. In conjunction, the budget for art classes, musical theater and stem programs have been underfunded or diminished in the attempt to save the schools. The removal of these programs unconsciously strips the creative and innovative output of students, while deterring them from inquisitive thinking, and their ability to socialize in a effective manner. 

After providing multiple opportunities and programs including our Youth 4 Hour Mural Challenge, which allows youth the opportunity to paint a Mural addressing an issue that is impacting them. The winning piece is put in a public space - most recently the winning piece was put in the Detroit Zoo. The winning youth artist received a full-ride scholarship to the College for Creative Studies and a grant to fix the issue they addressed in the mural.

The Steen Foundation realized that education inequality and the lack of humanization in education was impacting various youth across the country and there has been an increase due to COVID-19. This prompted our expansion plan and youth career development initiatives. 

We are progressively expanding our stem programming, if accepted this funding will be allocated towards our programs with Afrofuture Youth. This organization will lead the way and help us provide the most accessible STEM programs across the country.

The Steen Foundation's initial issue that we are working to fix for underserved youth, primarily in public schools across the country first started in Detroit. 

Detroit Public School Community District lost approximately $6.5 million under Public Act 8. In conjunction, the budget for art classes, musical theater and stem programs have been underfunded or diminished in the attempt to save the schools. The removal of these programs unconsciously strips the creative and innovative output of students, while deterring them from inquisitive thinking, and their ability to socialize in a effective manner. 

After providing multiple opportunities and programs including our Youth 4 Hour Mural Challenge, which allows youth the opportunity to paint a Mural addressing an issue that is impacting them. The winning piece is put in a public space - most recently the winning piece was put in the Detroit Zoo. The winning youth artist received a full-ride scholarship to the College for Creative Studies and a grant to fix the issue they addressed in the mural.

The Steen Foundation realized that education inequality and the lack of humanization in education was impacting various youth across the country and there has been an increase due to COVID-19. This prompted our expansion plan and youth career development initiatives. 

We are progressively expanding our stem programming, if accepted this funding will be allocated towards our programs with Afrofuture Youth. This organization will lead the way and help us provide the most accessible STEM programs across the country.

The Steen Foundation's initial issue that we are working to fix for underserved youth, primarily in public schools across the country first started in Detroit. 

Detroit Public School Community District lost approximately $6.5 million under Public Act 8. In conjunction, the budget for art classes, musical theater and stem programs have been underfunded or diminished in the attempt to save the schools. The removal of these programs unconsciously strips the creative and innovative output of students, while deterring them from inquisitive thinking, and their ability to socialize in a effective manner. 

After providing multiple opportunities and programs including our Youth 4 Hour Mural Challenge, which allows youth the opportunity to paint a Mural addressing an issue that is impacting them. The winning piece is put in a public space - most recently the winning piece was put in the Detroit Zoo. The winning youth artist received a full-ride scholarship to the College for Creative Studies and a grant to fix the issue they addressed in the mural.

The Steen Foundation realized that education inequality and the lack of humanization in education was impacting various youth across the country and there has been an increase due to COVID-19. This prompted our expansion plan and youth career development initiatives. 

We are progressively expanding our stem programming, if accepted this funding will be allocated towards our programs with Afrofuture Youth. This organization will lead the way and help us provide the most accessible STEM programs across the country.