Break the cycle and shatter Generational Poverty
Our Mission
Inspire and empower kids to achieve their dreams
Our Vision
We Help Our Children Dream of a Better Future.
Our motto is "See it to Be it”, a philosophy built on harnessing the unparalleled cultural, educational, and natural wonders of New York City and the tri-state vicinity. We craft immersive experiences that broaden horizons and crystallize the principle that witnessing and engaging with the world's richness empowers children to dream without limits. Through our programs, we aim to make infinite possibilities tangible for every child, inspiring them to see and believe in a future they can aspire to and achieve. We’re proud to currently partner with The Robert A Taft Houses Residential Association to hyper-focus our experiential programming and resources on a specific community in East Harlem, which allows us to form genuine bonds of trust and affection between our organization and their residents. Throughout this process, we’re gathering concrete data that further demonstrates the power of inspiring a new generation through our programming.
"Life is about aspiration and opportunity.
If you don’t have the opportunity, the
chance, the shot at operationalizing your
smarts, your talents, or your education,
then life has a concrete ceiling rather than
a glass one. You feel that all is for naught,
so why try in the first place? You lose
hope, and the most dangerous person in
the world is a person without hope.”
-John Hope Bryant
Off The Block
Off the Block is responding to the effects of generational poverty, an equitable lack of educational resources, and the impact of crime and violence in our communities. We’re dedicated to helping children of underserved communities by providing educational, experiential, and character-building programs that inspire and empower kids to achieve their dreams.
One Step at a time
One Kid at a time
Lots of kids at Once
Our hyper-focused, community-based approach is rooted in collaboration with respected tenant leaders who help establish our trust with the residents of The Taft Houses from day one. By partnering with leading corporate, cultural, and educational institutions in the city and beyond, we’re crafting and curating successful learning strategies that will resonate and foster community with children aged 4-14.
We believe in early intervention; by creating intimate bonds with the children and families of Taft early on, we can have an even greater influence on their lives. Off the Block’s programs promote character development and mutual respect, providing young people the tools to confront and overcome adversity, ultimately changing the trajectory of their lives. By continuing to foster a sense of community, Off the Block programs will not only reduce crime in The Taft Houses, but can provide a template for success that can be shared and reproduced in similar underserved communities across other NYCHA developments and beyond.
see it to be it.
545
Total Number
of Kids Impacted
23
Total Number
of Events Curated
Founder
Richard Habersham
Richard Habersham built Off the Block from his commitment to giving children an opportunity to see the infinite potential in their lives. Off the Block was started with both a belief and a question. What if a community-based organization could increase the likelihood that children will grow into successful teenagers and adults by identifying and focusing on a successful set of character and community-building experiences and exercises? Our vision is to create a template for how to leverage the virtually unlimited world-class cultural, educational, scientific, and natural resources of our great city to create experiences that bring our community closer together.
Off the Block
2024 Proposed Events
URBAN AND RURAL FARM PROGRAM
We believe in empowering children from underserved communities by curating experiential events, food, and services to The Robert A Taft Houses Residential Association and getting their kids Off the Block. We Help Our Children Dream of a Better Future.
OFF THE BLOCK STOCK PICKING GAME
This Spring, the kids of The Taft Houses will explore the fundamentals of personal finance and investing, while practicing content and skills in math, English Language Arts, economics, social studies, and other subjects.
“FRESH KICKS” SNEAKER DESIGN COMPETITION
What do kids like more than sneakers? How about the ability to design their own? The kids from The Taft Houses will get an introduction to CAD software promoting critical thinking, problem solving, math and creativity. Our future designers with the winning submissions (by age group) will see their design come to life with a prototype generated with a 3D printer.
"Eating all the ice cream, swimming in the pool, and eating pie in the
pie-eating contest was fun."
- Jasmine, Age 11
Holiday Hill Event
Community
"The bus ride was really fun, we
got a chance to draw, and I met
a new friend."
- Calvin, Age 7
South Fork Natural History Museum
and Nature Center Event
"Looking at the bugs from the pond
was fun; I usually don't like bugs."
- Isabel, Age 8
South Fork Natural History Museum
and Nature Center Event
Testimonials
Sizzle Reel
High Altitude Balloon Launch
Richard P. Habersham
President and Founder