named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
City Surfers After School and Summer Camp
Program for 2nd–5th graders providing weekly outdoor education and photography instruction in East Harlem.
Outdoor Leadership Academy
Summer and school-year internship program for youth ages 14–24 offering experiential learning in gardening, outdoor play, photography, placemaking, health promotion, and nonprofit management.
PlacemakingCorps
AmeriCorps-funded service program training young adults in public health, environmental education, and placemaking through direct service with youth in East Harlem gardens and public spaces.
Youth Photo Expo
Annual exhibition showcasing photography by youth interns reflecting on nature, public health, and community in East Harlem, developed through the Outdoor Leadership Academy’s photography cohort.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Administer AmeriCorps-funded youth development program (PlacemakingCorps)Operates PlacemakingCorps, an AmeriCorps program offering 300–675 hours of service to youth, including a living allowance, education award, and scholarship upon completion. Focuses on youth development and community building through service in gardens and community events.
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- Deliver outdoor education and environmental health programs for youthProvides outdoor education, environmental health literacy, and place-based service-learning programs for youth aged 14–24 in East Harlem, including field trips focused on urban agriculture, environmental science, and neighborhood health for 2nd to 5th grade students. Programs aim to improve healthy decision-making skills and environmental stewardship.
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Community Stewardship Volunteer Programs 1 activity
- Engage volunteers and community groups in service projectsRecruits and engages volunteers from schools, community organizations, public housing, and businesses in garden maintenance, cleanup, and service projects. Offers community service opportunities for corporate and community groups at urban garden sites.
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After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- Facilitate youth-led outdoor play and creative programmingOrganizes youth-led outdoor activities including obstacle courses, games, arts and crafts on East Harlem streets, and photography programs. Includes Green Exercise Days and after-school programming for 2nd to 5th graders focused on leadership through gardening, photography, and field trips.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Host community engagement and public eventsOrganizes bi-monthly community gardening events, annual Transformation Week celebrations, Healthy Living Fairs, inclusive bike races, and youth photo expos. Events include interactive health stations, arts and crafts, community tabling, and celebrations of youth work, open to residents of Jefferson and Washington Houses and the broader public.
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Community-Based Urban Agriculture 1 activity
- Operate community gardens and urban farming programsManages community garden and urban farm sites at Jefferson Gardens and Mad Fun Farm in East Harlem, including growing organic produce, herbs, and flowers for free distribution to low-income residents. Activities include planting, composting, tree planting, and maintaining raised beds and pollinator gardens.
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Youth Health and Wellness Education 1 activity
- Provide public health workshops and wraparound service referralsDelivers public health workshops for youth aged 14–24 and conducts youth-led environmental health workshops at community gardens. Provides one-on-one referrals to medical and public health services, aiming to improve health outcomes and community wellness.
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Youth Workforce Development in Food & Environment 1 activity
- Run youth internship and leadership development programsOffers the Outdoor Leadership Academy, a 6–12-week internship program for youth aged 14–24, with cohorts in gardening, landscaping, photography, health promotion, and nonprofit management. Includes experiential education, career readiness workshops, site visits to professional organizations, and culminating leadership events. Participants receive stipends up to $700 for completing 12.5 hours per week over 6 weeks.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$797K
Contributions & grants$797K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$1050%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$727K
Program expenses92%
Admin / overhead6%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$540K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$390K
Cash$167K
Investments$0
Liabilities$48K
Net assets$342K
Liquid reserves2.8 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -8.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHARON LEVINE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $133K |
board members · 9
- BROOKE STOVER — DIRECTOR
- CHRISTOPHER CONSALVO — SECRETARY
- DANIELA MORALES — DIRECTOR
- DAVID KAUFMAN — CO-CHAIR
- JERREN HOLDER — TREASURER
- LORENZ SCHMID — CO-CHAIR
- MANDY DEROCHE — DIRECTOR
- MICHAEL WOOLLEY — DIRECTOR
- NICOLE NELSON — DIRECTOR
relationships · 79
Who they work with
- Abacus Bank Partner — Hosted a financial literacy workshop covering money management, budgeting, and financial independence for OLA-SYEP interns.
- Abacus Federal Savings Bank Partner — Corporate partner supporting Concrete Safaris
- Amber Charter School Partner — Partner school collaborating with Concrete Safaris
- AmeriCorps Network — Member of the AmeriCorps national service network, hosting AmeriCorps Volunteers in its PlacemakingCorps program.
- AmeriCorps Partner — Government partner supporting Concrete Safaris programs
- AmeriCorps Partner — Partners with AmeriCorps to operate PlacemakingCorps, offering service opportunities with education awards and scholarships.
- Ares Management Partner — Conducted an interview readiness workshop to build professional communication skills for OLA-SYEP interns.
- Ares Management Partner — Corporate partner collaborating with Concrete Safaris
- Bartlett Tree Experts Partner — Corporate partner providing expertise in tree care, collaborating with Concrete Safaris
- Boys' Club Partner — Community-based organization partnering with Concrete Safaris
- CONCRETE SAFARIS INC Partner — Hosts the JungleGym event as part of its community programming.
- Children's Aid Society Partner — Community-based organization collaborating with Concrete Safaris
- City Gardens Club of NYC Funder — Foundation providing support to Concrete Safaris
- City Tech Partner — Partner institution collaborating with Concrete Safaris
- City University of New York Partner — Partner institution collaborating with Concrete Safaris
- City-As-School Partner — Partner school collaborating with Concrete Safaris
- Clif Family Foundation Funder — Foundation funding Concrete Safaris programs
- Community Association of Progressive Dominicans Partner — Community-based organization partnering with Concrete Safaris
- Community Board 11 Partner — Local government partner collaborating with Concrete Safaris
- Con Edison Partner — Corporate partner supporting Concrete Safaris
- Concord Group Funder — Foundation supporting Concrete Safaris
- Davis Brody Bond Partner — Architecture and design firm partnering with Concrete Safaris
- Davis Brody Bond Partner — Conducted a workshop on architecture and interior design focused on youth-centered spaces for OLA-SYEP interns.
- East Harlem Neighborhood Health Action Center Partner — Hosts Concrete Safaris' office space within the East Harlem Neighborhood Health Action Center.
- El Barrio's Operation Fightback Partner — Community-based organization collaborating with Concrete Safaris
- FDNY Partner — Government agency partner collaborating with Concrete Safaris
- First Cornerstone Foundation Funder — Foundation providing financial support to Concrete Safaris
- Harlem RBI Partner — Community-based organization partnering with Concrete Safaris
- Harvard Business School Club of New York Partner — Professional organization collaborating with Concrete Safaris
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Partner — Partner institution collaborating with Concrete Safaris
+ 49 more
strategies · 3
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.
- Career Readiness Through Integrated Experiential Learningmethodology: career_readiness_through_experiential_learningBy combining hands-on environmental projects with professional skill-building activities like resume writing and mock interviews, we increase career readiness because integrating practical experience with workforce training bridges personal development and employability in environmental and community fields.
- Experiential Learning Through Outdoor and Community-Based Educationmethodology: experiential_learningBy engaging youth in hands-on outdoor education, play, and community-based projects such as gardening and placemaking, we develop environmental literacy, leadership, and personal skills because direct experience fosters deeper learning, ownership, and behavioral change.
- Youth-Led Leadership Development Through Community Engagementmethodology: youth_led_programmingBy empowering youth to design, lead, and implement community activities and environmental projects, we build leadership and civic engagement because agency and real-world responsibility foster confidence, skill application, and community ownership.