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