A Letter From Our New Executive Director

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:

• Extreme Kids Clubs resume in April! See what clubs we're offering.

• The next Powerful Parents cohort begins on March 9th — sign up now!

The Felix Awards: Honoree Video

As a part of the celebration of our founders Eliza & Jason Factor at this year’s Felix Awards, members of our community submitted clips of themselves thanking Eliza & Jason for their years of hard work and dedication to be included in a video shown at the gala. Watch the video below.

Video: Ice Skating With the Crew on News 12 Brooklyn

News 12 Brooklyn paid a visit to Extreme Kids & Crew in Prospect Park for the third annual Ice Skating With the Crew event, talking to kids about their experience on the ice. Transcript below.

Kristie Reeter (anchor): A nonprofit here in our borough is giving all kids a chance to participate in a fun winter activity. That's with Extreme Kids & Crew’s third annual Ice Skating With the Crew event at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside Prospect Park. News 12 Brooklyn’s Emily Lorsch spoke with some of the kids who had a blast at the event and tells us more.

Emily Lorsch (reporter): Children with disabilities from all over the city coming together to check out ice skating.

Sage C.: I have seen people skating before but I’ve never done it. It was something that I wanted to do because I always watch the people on TV do the ice skating and when they do their competitions and stuff.

Emily Lorsch: These ladies tell me ice skating seems scary, but the adaptive skating equipment, like these penguins and sleds, really help them not only get used to the ice, but have a great time. 

Camille C.: I had so much fun because I got to be on the sled and I got to go really fast.

Leigh Reid: An ice rink if you've never witnessed one is beautiful, it’s fun, but it’s a little bit chaotic. It can definitely be a little intimidating for your first time on the ice. So when you add on disabilities to that, there's a little bit of social stigma worries. There's also costs that can often be an issue.

Emily Lorsch: But this free event is offering up a space for children to feel comfortable and go at their own pace.

Camille C.: If you don't want to go on the ice you could just go on the sled instead of going on the ice. What was so special about it is that you won't fall and hurt yourself.

Leigh Reid: Just so they can get out there and they can have that fun experience that everybody deserves to have.

Emily Lorsch: Many of these kids tell me at first they were scared to get on the ice and now they can't wait to come back next year. In Prospect Park, Emily Lorsch, News 12 Brooklyn.