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CHARLIA FRANK INC
Poughkeepsie, NY · EIN 883195656 · Form 990EZ · FY2025 · NTEE O50 · Youth Development · Micro (<$100K) · charliafrankinc.org
revenue
$93K
expenses
$92K
net assets
$1K
employees
—
mission · from form 990

Charlia Frank Inc.'s mission is to empower underserved youth and communities through educational enrichment, workforce development, mentorship, and community based programs that promote self sufficiency, leadership, and positive social outcomes.

profile · synthesized from sources

Charlia Frank Inc. empowers underserved youth through free STEAM-based programs in creative arts, technology, and workforce development. Based in Poughkeepsie, NY, the organization serves children and teens with hands-on learning in filmmaking, culinary arts, animation, journalism, and leadership training. Founded in 2010 and formally established as a 501(c)(3) in 2022, it emphasizes accessibility, creativity, and community collaboration.

named programs · 11 · from sources

What they call their work

Animated Exploration
Animation program teaching character creation, storyboarding, and digital animation using iPads and industry tools for students in grades 8-12.
Creative Flow Therapy
Therapeutic program combining songwriting, music production, and spoken word to support emotional well-being and artistic development for youth ages 5-18.
Culinary Cultures & Class
Hands-on cooking program teaching global cuisines, nutrition, and food science through STEAM for youth ages 5-18.
Elite Imagination Academy
Six-week summer enrichment program offering free STEAM-based tracks in film, music, sewing, yoga, drama, and cooking for youth.
Reel Filmmakers
Film production program covering scriptwriting, cinematography, editing, and sound design for students in grades 4-12.
Stitch & Style
Youth sewing and textile design program teaching machine operation, fabric selection, and creative design fundamentals for ages 5-18.
The Ink Society
Youth journalism program teaching reporting, research, interviewing, and multimedia production, culminating in a community publication for students in grades 4-12.
Voices in Action
Drama and performing arts program fostering confidence through acting, improvisation, and stage production for students in grades 4-12.
Words in Motion
Creative writing program focusing on fiction, poetry, and screenwriting, integrated with filmmaking for ages 5-18.
Youth Leadership Workforce
Workforce readiness program offering certifications in food safety, CPR, financial literacy, and mentorship for youth ages 14-18.
ZenKids
Mindfulness program teaching yoga, meditation, and stress-reduction techniques to support mental wellness for youth ages 5-18.
activities · 8 groups

What they do

  • Youth & Emerging Filmmaker Training 3 activities
    • Youth animation and digital storytelling program
      Offers hands-on animation instruction using iPads and industry-standard software (e.g., Blender, Adobe) to teach 2D/3D animation, storytelling, character design, and visual development. Guides students through collaborative projects from mood boards and storyboards to final animated short films showcased publicly.
    • Youth filmmaking and visual storytelling program
      Offers immersive filmmaking education covering scriptwriting, storyboarding, cinematography, editing with industry-standard software, sound design, color correction, and visual effects. Students develop short films collaboratively and present them at screening events with Q&A sessions, gaining experience in narrative development and technical production.
    • Youth journalism and multimedia publishing program
      Operates a youth journalism program where students gain hands-on experience in writing, reporting, research, interviewing, and multimedia production. Produces a student-led online publication and newsletter as capstone projects, providing real-world editorial and collaborative publishing experience.
  • Summer Academic Enrichment Programs 1 activity
    • Summer youth enrichment program
      Offers a free six-week summer program for youth to explore creativity, build practical skills, and engage in hands-on learning across multiple disciplines including culinary arts, wellness, and STEAM fields.
  • Youth and Family Cooking Education 1 activity
    • Youth culinary arts and STEAM education program
      Delivers hands-on cooking programs that teach culinary techniques, nutrition, food science, and global cuisines through a STEAM-based curriculum, including cultural history and traditions. Offers free sessions in partnership with public school districts, culminating in events like "Taste of Tradition: Family Dinner Night" where students plan, prepare, and serve multicultural meals.
  • Youth Theater Arts Education 1 activity
    • Youth drama and performing arts program
      Runs a performing arts program focused on acting, improvisation, scriptwriting, stage production, and live performance. Incorporates STEAM learning through voice science, set design engineering, stage layout mathematics, and production technology to build creativity, confidence, and technical skills.
  • Spiritual Development & Meditation Programs 1 activity
    • Youth mindfulness and wellness program
      Provides yoga, meditation, and mindfulness programming that includes guided meditations, breathing exercises, mindful movement, and relaxation techniques to improve focus, reduce stress, and support emotional regulation. Uses art-based activities like drawing and journaling to strengthen emotional awareness and connection.
  • Creative Arts Therapy Programs 1 activity
    • Youth music production and therapeutic expression program
      Provides a therapeutic creative outlet through songwriting, music production, and spoken word performances using digital audio workstations and recording technology. Integrates emotional well-being support with skill-building in artistic expression, copyright law, and financial literacy for future careers in the arts.
  • Fashion and Creative Industries Education 1 activity
    • Youth sewing and textile design program with STEAM integration
      Teaches sewing, textile design, and fabric science including machine operation, fabric selection, cutting, stitching, and applications of advanced materials such as smart fabrics, conductive threads, and glow-in-the-dark textiles. Connects creative design with engineering concepts and wearable technology through hands-on projects.
  • Workforce Readiness Training 1 activity
    • Youth workforce development and career readiness program
      Provides paid after-school and weekend employment opportunities, apprenticeships, mentorship from local professionals, and workforce readiness training. Awards certifications in ServSafe, CPR, First Aid, AED, financial literacy, sexual harassment prevention, and conflict resolution to enhance employability and leadership skills.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$93K
Contributions & grants$93K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$10%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$92K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$9K
Grants paid out$324
balance sheet
Total assets$1K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$1K
3 years on record · 2022–2025 · YoY revenue +49.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025

Who runs it

board members · 1
  • Kedaer Parks — Founder & Executive Director
relationships · 9

Who they work with

  • Dutchess County Government — Government funder supporting programs through partial funding.
  • Dutchess County Government — Provides partial funding support to expand programs throughout the region.
  • Elite Imagination Academy Partner — Partnership provides creative programming in an after-school setting.
  • Mama La Partner — Collaborated on the Culinary Culture & Class program to teach students conflict resolution through cooking.
  • Poughkeepsie City School District Partner — Partner organization delivering youth enrichment programs in collaboration with Charlia Frank Inc.
  • community organizations Partner — Partner with the program to foster collaboration and community engagement
  • local designers Partner — Collaborate with the program to support youth instruction and creative development
  • local professionals Partner — Mentor youth participants in the workforce program
  • sewing instructors Partner — Provide instructional support in sewing techniques and textile design
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Community-Integrated Learning to Extend Development Beyond the Classroom
    methodology: community-integrated-youth-development
    By partnering with local designers and community organizations, we produce deeper skill application and civic connection because real-world collaboration grounds learning in authentic contexts and strengthens youth agency.
  • Culturally Responsive and Critical Media Engagement
    methodology: culturally-responsive arts education
    By integrating media literacy and journalism with cultural exploration through diverse narratives, we produce informed, empathetic youth because critical analysis of media and exposure to varied perspectives builds both civic awareness and interpersonal understanding.
  • Equitable Access as a Foundation for Engagement and Inclusion
    methodology: free-access programming
    By offering all programs free of charge, we produce higher participation among underserved youth because removing financial barriers enables equitable access and ensures that economic status does not limit developmental opportunity.
  • Integrated Youth Development Through Cross-Disciplinary STEAM and Life Skills
    methodology: integrated-youth-development
    By combining STEAM education, culinary arts, creative expression, and workforce readiness in a single program model, we produce holistic youth development because integrated learning across domains reinforces academic, emotional, and professional growth simultaneously.
  • Therapeutic Creative Expression for Emotional and Personal Growth
    methodology: creative_expression_for_emotional_learning
    By using art, writing, and performance as vehicles for emotional exploration and expression, we produce increased self-awareness and resilience because creative acts serve as accessible pathways to process emotions and build confidence in young people.