Project Window is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization that provides girls in low-income housing projects in Far Rockaway and its surrounding communities with opportunities to reach their full potentials and face life with confidence. Its activities, which include mentoring, educational assistance, and organized sports and dance, will teach self- awareness, the importance of education, and strong interpersonal skills. Project Window will provide girls with the tools they need  to achieve self-sufficiency and give them a sense of hope for the future.  Through Project Window, participants will learn that there is more to life than what they see through their windows.

Project Window was established in response to the growing number of young people in Far Rockaway that are failing school, participating in gangs, abusing alcohol and drugs and engaging in destructive behaviors   The organization will form partnerships with local schools, community centers and parents in Far Rockaway, and these partners will refer girls to the program.

Project Windows program consists of five distinct components, all focused on prevention and instilling its participants with a sense of responsibility, community, and possibility.

The central component of Project Window is its mentoring program, Project Connection.   Each girls will be matched with a professional adult volunteer, who will receive continuous training throughout the year and will participate in a monthly meeting to report on the young person’s progress academically, socially, and emotionally. Mentors commit to meet with their mentees at least once a month for the duration of the child’s school year. Activities include not only one-on-one meetings but also group adventures in the community

Children who participate in organized sports do better in school and are healthier. Steppers will promote the girls’ physical fitness and growth through participation in organized sports and dance. It will meet every weekend and expose the girls to a variety of physical activities. The first sport the girls will participate in is volleyball.  A trained coach will teach the girls not only basic sports skills, but also interpersonal skills, leadership, and team spirit.  During the summer the girls will be taken to summer camps to build a sense of community and friendship.

Project Window promotes education and empowerment through the attainment of knowledge.  Team Recovery focuses on students who are struggling in school. Whether through tutoring or placement into study groups, it will provide the necessary services to help students become more successful in the classroom.  Bulls-eye engages girls in a variety of informative and entertaining workshops that provide information on issues these girls may encounter including: self-esteem building, sex education, and drug abuse prevention.  Girls will walk away from Bulls-eye with a better understanding of the obstacles they face, and tools to overcome these obstacles.

Children who volunteer just one hour or more a week are significantly less likely to engage in destructive behavior. Project Give Back is the community service component of Project Window.  Through engaging in service projects in their community, the girls will learn helps  teamwork, discipline and cooperation.

Project Window’s goal is to equip under-privileged girls in the Rockaway area with the necessary tools to promote their success.  By providing these girls with mentors, tutors, and constructive outlets we hope to expose our girls to opportunities they may not have.