EXTREME KIDS & CREW NAMED AS FINALIST IN 3rd ANNUAL NYC IMAGINE AWARDS

NYC Imagine Awards Winners to Be Announced on
Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at Guastavino’s

Brooklyn, NY – Extreme Kids & Crew was named a Finalist in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility category in The 3rd Annual NYC Imagine Awards. The NYC Imagine Awards was created to offer formal acknowledgment to some of NYC metro’s most effective and innovative nonprofit organizations. The 3rd Annual NYC Imagine Awards nonprofit competition will take place on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at Guastavino’s, 409 E. 59th St., NY, NY.   

With nearly 250 applications submitted for consideration in 6 categories, including Innovation, Leadership Excellence, Rising Star, Social Impact, Arts & Culture and DEIA, Extreme Kids & Crew is one of four finalists in the DEIA category. The winners receive $5,000 and will be announced LIVE at the event. A special thanks to Webster Bank who will be providing each finalist with $1,000. 

Extreme Kids & Crew’s welcoming and accessible spaces for neurodivergent children and their families have been instrumental in breaking down barriers and fostering a sense of community. Their programs, designed with DEIA at the forefront, have been instrumental in providing opportunities for children of all abilities to socialize, create, and play in an environment free from judgment or exclusion. 

"We are incredibly proud to be recognized as a finalist in the NYC Imagine Awards. This nomination is a reflection of our team's tireless efforts to create 'A Space to Be' for everyone, from neurodivergent kids to caregivers to staff and beyond,” said Lovisa Brown, Executive Director of Extreme Kids & Crew. “This recognition fuels our resolve to continue pushing the boundaries of what's possible in creating a more inclusive world.”

Finalists were chosen by NYC business and nonprofit professionals during preliminary judging. Members of the Awards' Distinguished Judging Panel selected the NYC Imagine Awards winners from among the Finalists during final judging.

“The Imagine Awards honors the best of the best, so being named an Imagine Award finalist is a big deal,” said NYC Imagine Awards founder Ken Cerini of Cerini & Associates. “All of the finalists are incredible with extremely effective, innovative, and impactful operations … they are truly making a difference for all of us.”

Details about NYC Imagine Awards and the list of Finalists in all categories are available at https://nycimagineawards.com/

About Extreme Kids & Crew
Extreme Kids & Crew creates fun and brave spaces that cultivate belonging and community for neurodivergent children. Through arts-based programs for young people, caregivers, and families, Extreme Kids works to create environments that allow neurodivergent children and their Crew to find their own meaning in play. To learn more about Extreme Kids & Crew, visit https://www.extremekidsandcrew.org/

About The Imagine Awards
The Imagine Awards was created in 2012 on Long Island by Ken Cerini, Managing Partner of Cerini & Associates, LLP.  Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Imagine Awards recognize outstanding performances in the Community.  2023 will represent the 3rd Annual event in NYC. To learn more about the NYC Imagine Awards, visit www.NYCimagineawards.com

Media Contact (Extreme Kids & Crew):
Lovisa Brown
Executive Director, Extreme Kids & Crew
lovisa@extremekidsandcrew.org

Media Contact (Imagine Awards):
Hillary Needle
Hillary Needle Events Inc.
Hillary@hillaryneedleevents.com
516-993-4056

Posted
AuthorAlex Bazeley

Dear Extreme Kids community:

My first two months at Extreme Kids & Crew have been full of excitement and learning. I feel privileged to partner with our vibrant community to create brave spaces where differences are welcomed and celebrated. I’ve worked diligently with the staff, community partners, and the board to craft a vision for our future, and I am thrilled about what we’ve come up with. 

Our clubs, monthly family programs, and Powerful Parents group continue to transform the lives of neurodivergent youth and their families. However, we currently reach only a fraction of the children and families who could benefit from our programs and community. Growing our disability-centered programs means making them more economically sustainable. With plans to expand our demographics (Spanish-language program), geography (family programs to all five NYC boroughs), and age range (elementary school students), an immediate change is needed.

This summer, we will begin charging for our youth programs, a change that will help us fulfill our vision to become the NYC community hub for young people with disabilities and their Crews. The fees will cover approximately half the cost of each program, enabling us to offer exciting new play opportunities for young people, reach more families, and create a sustainable foundation for our work. Our upcoming Spring 2023 clubs will remain cost-free.  

We understand that this change may be difficult for some families, and we want to ensure that every child continues to have access to our programs. No family will be turned away due to their inability to pay. If you have concerns about the fee, please do not hesitate to contact me (lovisa@extremekidsandcrew.org). We are committed to working with you to find a solution that meets your needs.

We have not taken this decision lightly and have carefully considered ensuring that we can continue to provide the highest quality programming for years to come. We will continue to foster welcoming, accessible spaces where young neurodivergent people, their friends, and their families can socialize, create, and play without fear of judgment or exclusion. 

Thank you for your understanding and continued support of our mission at Extreme Kids & Crew, and stay tuned for further announcements. We look forward to continuing to serve our community and provide everyone with a space to be. 

Sincerely,

Lovisa & The Crew

Posted
AuthorAlex Bazeley
5 CommentsPost a comment

Dear Extreme Kids & Crew community,

It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the passing of disability rights activist Judy Heumann over the weekend. Her fierce championship of equality and inclusion paved the way for so many of the opportunities and protections we enjoy today. Judy was a trailblazer who fought fearlessly for the rights of all disabled people, advocating for accessible public transportation, education, employment opportunities, and so much more.

We are indebted to Judy’s work, and her legacy will live on as we continue to fight for disability equity in our schools, in our workplaces, and in our homes. We honor her memory by committing ourselves to the work of creating a more inclusive and accessible society, one where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and be their fullest selves.

Our thoughts are with Heumann's loved ones during this difficult time. We thank her for her tireless advocacy and her unwavering commitment to justice and equality for all. May her memory be a blessing.

Sincerely,
The Crew

Posted
AuthorAlex Bazeley

Dear Extreme Kids & Crew community,

I am thrilled to join Extreme Kids & Crew as the organization’s new Executive Director. As a longtime educator and arts program strategist, I am passionate about connecting communities and youth. I am honored to become part of an organization making a difference in the lives of neurodivergent youth and their families. I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself and tell you why I’m so excited.

For the last two decades, I have worked in museums in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, developing programs that link art, community, and the lived experiences of marginalized youth, most recently as the Senior Director of Education at the Museum of the African Diaspora and then as an art consultant in NYC. As a result, I have seen firsthand how thoughtful, well-designed programs aimed at marginalized youth can give them self-confidence and a sense of belonging.

In my first two weeks at Extreme Kids, I’ve seen the power of our programs in the laughter of our young people, often misunderstood and marginalized in other places, who feel free to be themselves without fear of judgment or stares. I’ve seen our Extreme Kids staff affirming them, meeting them where they are and gently redirecting them when needed. Through the power of play, our youth develop social-emotional skills, learn about the world around them and create a community free of judgment. Parents have shared how they appreciate our programs as unique spaces for the whole family to play together.

This is a pivotal time for Extreme Kids & Crew. For the past ten years, Extreme Kids has established itself as a cornerstone of the disability community in New York. I am deeply impressed by the resilience and commitment of the staff, board, and community in facing challenges during the pandemic. I look forward to all of us building on that foundation and supporting Extreme Kids and Crew to grow, making us even more of a space to be.

Above all, I hold dear the values of equity and inclusion that guide Extreme Kids & Crew, and I am eager to get to know everyone and work together to bring new programs and initiatives to life.

Thank you for this incredible opportunity. I can’t wait to see what we will become together.

Warmly,
Lovisa Brown
Executive Director, Extreme Kids & Crew

What's coming up:

Posted
AuthorAlex Bazeley

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 17, 2023
Contact: Alex Bazeley
Phone: (347) 410-6050 
Email: alex@extremekidsandcrew.org

**PRESS RELEASE**

Extreme Kids & Crew Announces New Executive Director

Brooklyn, NY — Extreme Kids & Crew is pleased to announce that Lovisa Brown has been hired as the organization’s next Executive Director. Extreme Kids & Crew offers free and accessible arts and play programming for neurodivergent youth and their families in New York City.

Ms. Brown brings to the role 15 years of experience as an arts educator, igniting underserved youth to seize their narratives and make an impact in their community. She is an expert in bridging the gap between race and art for students through diaspora stories and the skills of visual arts, music, film, and history. In addition, Lovisa is a skilled and tactful communicator who enjoys direct conversation with audiences of all ages and abilities.

“After a competitive and thoughtful interview process, we are very excited to welcome Ms. Brown to our organization,” said Board Chair Christian Bergeron. “She is someone who brings a wealth of expertise and experience to Extreme Kids, and her background in arts and education, along with her passion for building equitable communities, make her the perfect person to lead this team as we enter our next chapter.

As the Senior Director of Education for the Museum of the African Diaspora from 2010 to 2015, Ms. Brown delivered high-impact programs that expanded the museum’s educational capabilities and helped grow her team into a robust, diverse workforce. Since then, she has worked as an arts and education consultant at museums and community-based organizations in San Francisco and New York City, developing strategies to enhance visitor experiences, expand outreach services, and build sustainable, culturally-competent educational curricula. 

She has also held roles at the International Museum of Women and the Children's Creativity Museum, building staff capacity, facilitating programmatic growth, and cultivating community relationships. Ms. Brown succeeds Caitlin Cassaro, Extreme Kids & Crew’s founding Executive Director, who served in the role since 2013 and left the organization in December 2022. 

“Extreme Kids & Crew is a leader in the New York disability space, and I am honored to become part of such an important and impactful organization that is making a difference in the lives of neurodivergent youth and their families,” said Ms. Brown. “I hold dear the values of equity and inclusion that guide Extreme Kids & Crew, and am eager to get to know everyone and work together to bring new programs and initiatives to life.”

Ms. Brown is starting in her role effectively immediately.

About Extreme Kids & Crew

Established in 2010, Extreme Kids & Crew is a welcoming space where neurodivergent youth, their friends, and their families socialize, create, and play on their own terms. By establishing and maintaining creative community centers for the disability community, Extreme Kids seeks to show people that disability is not to be feared, pitied or mindlessly exalted, but understood to be an inherent part of life. For more information, visit https://www.extremekidsandcrew.org/.

###

Posted
AuthorAlex Bazeley
Tagspress

Dear Extreme Kids & Crew community,

After 10 successful years, Extreme Kids & Crew’s founding Executive Director Caitlin Cassaro will be leaving the organization at the end of December. Caitlin’s leadership, vision, spirit, and tenacity have been a driving force in making Extreme Kids a “space to be,” where young neurodiverse people, their friends, and their families, socialize, create, and play. We are deeply proud and grateful for her accomplishments and wish her much success in her next endeavors.

As we bid Caitlin Cassaro farewell, the Board of Extreme Kids & Crew is excited to announce the launch of our search for Extreme Kids & Crew’s next Executive Director. This is an extraordinary opportunity to build on our past successes to take this small and essential organization to its next generation of sustainability and impact.

The Board has engaged Rachel Howard, a seasoned nonprofit leader and friend of Extreme Kids, to serve as Interim Executive Director. Steve Stern, an experienced nonprofit financial professional, will serve as the Interim Director of Finance and Administration. Rachel and Steve worked together at INCLUDEnyc for many years where Rachel served as Executive Director and Steve served as Director of Finance. Together with Extreme Kids & Crew’s dedicated staff and Board of Directors, they will work to ensure a smooth transition.

We are looking for a strategic thinker with expertise developing sustainable programs and partnerships to advance the organization’s mission of increasing access to play in New York for young neurodiverse people and their Crews. An exceptional candidate will embody the qualities and values that reflect Extreme Kids’ unique mission and values: creativity, connection, compassion, respect, and collaboration, and a desire to include the voices of the people and communities served in program development.

To learn more about this opportunity and for directions on how to apply, please visit the job posting on our website. And if you know someone who might be interested, please spread the word! We're excited for what this next chapter holds for our organization and can't wait to get started.

Christian Bergeron
Chair, Board of Directors

Posted
AuthorAlex Bazeley
2 CommentsPost a comment

What a year it has been for all of us! We can’t believe school is already back in session. We have some amazing programs coming this fall, but we also wanted to take this moment to reflect on some of our successes over the first six months of the year. Check out our mid-year review, which gives a brief snapshot into what we’ve been working on since January, including an advocacy panel, an amazing gala, the expansion of our footprint throughout Brooklyn, and so much more!

Click here to view a PDF version.

Posted
AuthorAlex Bazeley