WHO WE ARE
CITYKIDS’ INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMING AND PROJECTS HAVE BEEN IN THE FOREFRONT IN THE FIELDS OF POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING FOR THE PAST THREE DECADES; PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONAL GROWTH AND ARTISTIC EXPRESSION, WE HELP YOUNG PEOPLE CHANNEL THAT GROWTH INTO SUBSTANTIAL SOCIAL CHANGE.
HOW WE STARTED
Founded by Laurie Meadoff in 1985, The CityKids Foundation has established and maintained cutting edge youth development programs, training tens of thousands of diverse young people, by providing opportunities for personal growth, leadership, and artistic expression. Laurie was inspired to create CityKids after a visit to the Albany Empire in London, a social services and arts program for London’s youth. The CityKids Foundation’s innovative programming, and projects, have been in the forefront in fields of Positive Youth Development, and Social Emotional Learning, for the past three decades. CityKids helps young people channel that growth into substantial social change, and we continue to empower, engage, connect, and inspire young people to skillfully lift their voices and be heard.
EAST VILLAGE PLAY HOUSE
Opened in 2018, The East Village Playhouse is a black box theatre space that is the home base of CityKids and the heart of the Foundation. In this space, we have produced shows, musical performances, anti-bullying workshops, panels, and training for TedxTeen talks.
Our work in the East Village PLayhouse has been featured in the New York Times, The Daily Mail and other publications.