named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Documentary: Our Urban Town
Documentary film project highlighting community development, youth voices, and local activism on Staten Island.
Grassroots Litter Program
Community-led environmental initiative addressing litter and promoting neighborhood cleanliness.
Landfill Fashionistas Live On
Art and action initiative using creative expression to advance social and environmental justice causes in the community.
Our Urban Town News
Community publication platform featuring writings and perspectives from Staten Island residents, students, and educators on social, racial, and environmental justice issues.
SIUC Youth Media
Youth-led media production program that empowers young people to tell community stories through film and digital content.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Urban Park and Public Space Conservation 1 activity
- Community organizing and advocacy for social and environmental justiceEngages in community organizing around social and environmental justice issues, including supporting park revitalization efforts and celebrating community-led initiatives such as the work of the Friends of Tompkinsville Park.
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Nonprofit Investigative & Community Journalism 1 activity
- Community spotlight and feature seriesHighlights community members and initiatives through a recurring spotlight feature series that amplifies local voices and contributions.
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Documentary Film Production 1 activity
- Community storytelling and narrative documentationProduces and publishes community-focused media including the documentary "Our Urban Town," the newsletter "Our Urban Town News," and personal narrative features by youth and community members to highlight local perspectives and development issues.
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Community Stewardship Volunteer Programs 1 activity
- Grassroots litter cleanup and environmental stewardship programOperates a community-based litter reduction and cleanup initiative to address local environmental cleanliness on Staten Island. The program is ongoing and described consistently across multiple sources as a core environmental stewardship activity.
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Community-Engaged Public Art Projects 1 activity
- Landfill Fashionista Art Wall of Portraits exhibitionCreated and exhibited the Landfill Fashionista Art Wall of Portraits at Snug Harbor Cultural Center, on display through June 2021, as a community art initiative highlighting environmental and social themes.
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Direct Mental Health Counseling and Support Services 1 activity
- Teen mental health support during the pandemicProvided targeted support for teen mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing the psychosocial needs of youth in the community.
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Youth & Emerging Filmmaker Training 1 activity
- Youth leadership and media arts programRuns a youth media program focused on leadership development, storytelling, and media arts, supporting youth voices through publications, documentaries, and narrative features. This includes both capacity-building and direct service components centered on youth engagement.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Economic impact research on community development initiativesConducted economic studies on proposed community development projects, including the Maritime Education and Recreation Corridor (MERC) and the Mid-Island Empowerment and Resource Center (MERC), to assess their potential for driving local progress.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$418K
Contributions & grants$398K95%
Program service revenue$20K5%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$554K
Program expenses70%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising13%
Salaries & benefits$307K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$195K
Cash$444
Investments$0
Liabilities$137K
Net assets$58K
Liquid reserves0.0 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -18.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KELLY VILAR | CEO & FOUNDER | 40 | $94K |
board members · 6
- ARMANDO CARLES — BOARD MEMBER
- DEBORAH QUINONES — CHAIR
- LESLIE COLON — TREASURER
- OLGA AYALA — SECRETARY
- ROXANNE MUSTAFA — VICE CHAIR
- SARAH VILAR — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 14
Who they work with
- Against Da Grain Partner — Featured as a community initiative in a spotlight article, indicating a collaborative relationship.
- Friends of Tompkinsville Park Partner — Collaborates on community healing and park improvement initiatives at Tompkinsville Park.
- Friends of Tompkinsville Park Partner — Collaborates on the revitalization and stewardship of Tompkinsville Park.
- Friends of Tompkinsville Park Partner — Collaborates with Friends of Tompkinsville Park on community improvement efforts.
- Snug Harbor Cultural Center Partner — Collaborated on the Landfill Fashionista Art Wall of Portraits exhibit displayed through June 2021.
- Snug Harbor Cultural Center Partner — Collaborated on the Landfill Fashionista Art Wall of Portraits exhibit.
- Snug Harbor Cultural Center Partner — Hosted the Landfill Fashionista Art Wall of Portraits exhibit featuring SIUC-affiliated work.
- Snug Harbor Cultural Center Partner — Hosted the Landfill Fashionista Art Wall of Portraits exhibit featuring collaborations with SIUC.
- Snug Harbor Cultural Center Partner — Hosted the Landfill Fashionista Art Wall of Portraits exhibit organized by SIUC.
- Snug Harbor Cultural Center Partner — Hosted the Landfill Fashionista Art Wall of Portraits exhibit.
- Snug Harbor Cultural Center Partner — Hosted the Landfill Fashionista Art Wall of Portraits exhibition.
- Snug Harbor Cultural Center Partner — Hosted the Landfill Fashionista Art Wall of Portraits.
- Snug Harbor Cultural Center Partner — Partnered to exhibit the Landfill Fashionista Art Wall of Portraits.
- Snug Harbor Cultural Center Partner — Partnered to host the Landfill Fashionista Art Wall of Portraits through June 2021.
strategies · 4
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.
- Art and Cultural Production as Tools for Justicemethodology: art_for_justiceBy using art, publishing, and media arts to center community narratives, the organization advances social and environmental justice because cultural expression builds collective identity, elevates marginalized voices, and drives community organizing more effectively than traditional advocacy alone.
- Community Land Stewardship for Equitable Developmentmethodology: community_land_stewardshipBy advocating for community ownership and stewardship of land, the organization advances equitable urban development because local control over physical space prevents displacement and ensures that development reflects community needs and values.
- Community Storytelling and Narrative Leadershipmethodology: community_storytellingBy publishing resident and youth narratives, the organization promotes civic engagement and shifts public perception because sharing lived experiences fosters empathy, validates community knowledge, and strengthens grassroots leadership.
- Community-Driven Development and Youth Empowermentmethodology: community_driven_developmentBy engaging local youth and community members as leaders in development initiatives, the organization produces sustainable neighborhood improvement and social justice outcomes because local empowerment fosters ownership, equity, and long-term civic engagement.