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Pura Vida Community Support Network: Youth Stability, Inclusive Arts, Family Wellness & Community Partnerships

Avatar:  Danny Joyner Danny Joyner
Idea Submission for The People's Money:
The Pura Vida Community Support Network is a citywide initiative designed to strengthen stability, emotional wellness, creativity, and economic mobility for youth and families across New York City. This proposal unites four interconnected programs that address the needs of youth ages 10–25, families in crisis, neurodiverse young people, and communities seeking support, engagement, and long-term empowerment.  1. Youth Transition & Stability Program A year-round stability and leadership program supporting youth facing adversity. Services include life skills training, mentorship, wellness support, transportation assistance, and practical workforce preparation. Budget: $350,000  2. Inclusive Arts & Leadership Program A creative, inclusive program for neurodiverse and special education youth. Participants engage in weekly creative labs, mentorship, leadership pathways, and an annual arts and fashion showcase. Budget: $300,000  3. Family Wellness & Respite Program Supports caregivers with respite services, wellness workshops, resource navigation, family healing events, and specialist-led wellness interventions. Budget: $200,000  4. Organizational Capacity & Community Partnership Development Ensures strong leadership, compliance, safe operations, technology access, virtual engagement, and community outreach to sustain programming citywide. Budget: $150,000  Together, these programs form a coordinated network providing stability, creativity, mental health support, family strengthening, and community connection for thousands of New Yorkers.
What is the problem your idea aims to address?
NYC families, especially in underserved neighborhoods, face rising levels of: • Youth instability and disengagement • Trauma, mental health challenges, and unmet emotional needs • Limited access to inclusive creative programs • Caregiver burnout and lack of respite resources • Barriers to safe, supportive youth development spaces Neurodiverse youth and justice-involved or vulnerable young people face the steepest barriers to education, wellness, leadership, and economic opportunity. This proposal directly addresses these gaps by funding comprehensive, year-round supports that stabilize youth, empower families, promote creative expression, and build resilient community networks.
Which groups does your idea focus on? Select all that apply
Youth (under 24)
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