Our statement on the recent attacks on the AAPI community

To our community,

Amid a surge in violence toward Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities in New York and across the country, Extreme Kids & Crew stands in solidarity with the victims, survivors, and neighbors who are again experiencing the trauma and fear endemic to racism.

These heartbreaking attacks, like Tuesday night’s in Atlanta, may be spurred by xenophobic responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, but they are just the latest chapter in our country’s long history of racism and discrimination against Asian-Americans. This is a wake up call that demands we be present in the fight against white supremacy and advocate for greater allyship at home, in the workplace, and in our communities.

Since New York City shut down last March, there have been hundreds of reported incidents of violence against Asian-American New Yorkers, and 76% of Asian-Americans across the country have reported feeling worried about experiencing hate crime, harassment, or discrimination because of COVID-19. Asian-American elders, already disproportionately impacted by the virus, are particularly vulnerable to attacks.

We recognize how important it is to build community-centered support networks grounded in anti-racist practices in order to begin the process of healing. Violence against any of us is felt by all of us, and it’s our responsibility to reimagine forms of public safety that center mutualism, accountability, and restorative justice.

Here are some actions you can take to join the fight against this crisis:

• Report hate crimes where you see them. Inaccurate reporting, which can happen due to language barriers and fears over immigration status, can lead to misrepresentations of the reality of anti-Asian violence. Learn more >>

• Donate to and amplify the work of Asian-American-led community groups and legal defense funds. Learn more >>

• Educate yourself about this recent rise in violence — and America’s long history of anti-Asian violence enacted through both governmental policy and individual action.

• Participate in community-based safety tactics. For example, volunteer for SafeWalks NYC to help escort community members who feel unsafe to and from subway stations.

Places you can donate to:

Asian American Federation

National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum

Welcome to Chinatown

Red Canary Song

CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities

Butterfly (Asian and Migrant Sex Workers Support Network)

More resources from Asian-American community groups:

Safety Tips for Those Experiencing or Witnessing Hate

Asian American Federation’s Anti-Hate Safety Resources 

MovementHub

It's on all of us to #StopAsianHate. Join us.

Sincerely,
Caitlin and The Crew

Hear Melissa and Ethan's Story

Melissa and her 14-year-old son Ethan, who uses his iPad to communicate, have struggled with isolation this year. Extreme Kids & Crew is helping families like theirs build a community through the universal language of play. Hear how Extreme Kids has helped with Ethan’s focus, then join us as we strive to keep families connected.

In conversation with Nonprofit New York member: Extreme Kids & Crew

Original article posted by Nonprofit New York

Membership Director Taina Sanon spoke with Caitlin Cassaro of Extreme Kids & Crew, a member organization of Nonprofit New York. We will continue to highlight the work of our members, like Extreme Kids & Crew, because we believe when your nonprofit is stronger, all of us are stronger.

Tell me about the organization and what you do.

At Extreme Kids & Crew, we cultivate welcoming, accessible spaces where kids with disabilities and their people create a supportive community through the arts, play and conversation. We play, we create, we follow the children's lead and listen to their parents and caregivers. We work together to advocate for and with people with disabilities, and with families fighting for their and their child's rights. We celebrate the differences disability brings, and recognize much of the hardship felt by those living with disability is due to discrimination rather than the disability itself.

How many are on your team?

With 2 new hires, we have 8 full-time staff and 4 part-time staff.

Servicing how many of the nonprofit population?

We serve approximately 500 families.

Where do you see your organization in the next five years or ten years?

Extreme Kids will expand its after-school and camp program throughout NYC, by partnering with larger, in-school community based organizations not providing this experience to their children with autism and other developmental disabilities. Extreme Kids will have a large home-base location from which school-based programs will be managed. This location will be completely accessible and sensory friendly, with different rooms for different activities, including a performance space.

How has partnering with Nonprofit New York helped you succeed?

Nonprofit New York has been a valuable support to Extreme Kids in assisting the organization in building the necessary skills needed to grow and sustain an organization.

What are you currently working on that you want us to mention to our membership?

We are currently working on piloting the expansion of our popular after-school and summer camp program so that we may serve more children with developmental disabilities throughout NYC. With that we are further developing our program evaluation protocol and front-line staff training module.

Infographic: Adapting and Moving Forward

Community Spotlight: How is COVID-19 Affecting Our Community?

We reached out to LaTanya Lemon-Cumper and asked her to share her experiences to help us spotlight what our community is going through. As a frontline healthcare provider, resident of Queens, Extreme Kids marathoner (yes!), and mother to a great Extreme Kid, Tanya was a fantastic interviewee and we're only sorry we couldn't show you more.

Extreme Kids families are more isolated than ever before and we're working hard to make sure that our community's needs are being seen and heard. If you can, please donate and help us reduce feelings of isolation for kids with disabilities and their families.

NYC Public Schools Close

Students will not report to school buildings for instruction until Monday April 20, 2020 or longer if necessary. Source

Extreme Kids programs will follow this time frame as well for in-school programs: open play, Girls Crew, Teens Crew, Powerful Parents, and after school.