How it all began
Patrycja Siewert Towns believes all children should have an ability to attend summer camp.
To learn to spread their wings by experiencing that little bit of independence that comes from being away from parents for just a little while. Summer camps allow children to strengthen their social skills, and learn about things like nutrition by growing then cooking their own food. Exposure to music and animals can ignite a love for nature.
Kim Kreiss grew up in the Pacific Northwest where everyday felt like outdoor camp to her. With the wilderness in her backyard, winter skiing, horseback riding, summer swims and camping were easily accessible. Weekends were often spent on Lake Washington boating and swimming enjoying all the freedom that lifestyle had to offer. When she thinks back to her childhood it is always in shades of blue and green. Kim finds it rewarding to be able to give children the ability to enjoy a slice of heaven that experiencing the great outdoors can provide.
Both Patrycja and Kim are like minded in their respect and love of the outdoors. Both women are committed to making it possible for children to have the chance to experience summer camp with its wide open green space and where a the possibility of a lifelong friendship with nature can be born.
Our Mission
Project Green's mission is to foster environmental education in future generations with a sponsor program that allows underserved children and youth in foster care to attend summer camp. We partner with summer camps that offer a plethora of interests including music, aquatics, marine life, organic gardening & lifestyle, equestrian therapeutics and more. We are always adding new summer camps to our list.
In development is our Project Green “Back to Basics" Summer Camp which will provide green living enrichment and education building self-esteem and awareness of the environment by incorporating challenging and fun activities for our campers.
Additionally, Project Green will invest in a "Green Space Initiative" which includes repurposing land by creating both urban & rural organic gardens and parks, initially within the Southeastern United States and expansion into other regions.
Funding this Mission
We at Project Green find it most desirable to be able to be financially independent. We are working hard to not be dependent on grants and other forms of funding that come with many strings attached. Our goal is to raise the initial funds necessary to launch the annual benefit music concerts to generate the needed funds to advance our mission and support our cause. This plan, however, comes with a fairly large upfront cost. Concerts require space, marketing, talent costs, insurances, and the all important security, just to name a few costs. For this reason, Project Green has started sponsoring kids to summer camps but we need more funds to further our mission. If you believe that kids deserve access to clean, green space and summer camp, it would be awesome if you could help us get on solid financial ground so we can spend less time worrying about money and more time focusing on a greener tomorrow.
Future Goals
As cities expand and green space becomes parking lots, it is only a matter of time before those who do have access to green space find themselves trapped in the middle of the concrete jungle as well.
Once Project Green raises sufficient funds and is continuously working with summer camps, the foundation will then move forward with its plans to purchase green spaces within cities in the U.S.. The "Green Space" land be protected from future development plus Project Green would turn this green space into a safe space for children to play, interact, and learn. Children from all over will have access to outdoor space, within their city where they can learn how to grow an organic garden and where food comes from plus play, learn and expand their knowledge while having fun in a safe and green environment.
Our Growth
While Project Green continues to fundraise and grow, we have already launched our Back to Basic Summer Camp program and have started sponsoring children on the East Coast. Below is just a glimpse into some of the amazing opportunities we have had, both to grow our community of supporters and to kids expand their horizons.
Lending a Helping Hand
CTREE
Project Green is a proud sponsor of the CTREE summer camp program. We help to sponsor children that need therapeutic services but can not otherwise afford it. CTREE is a not-for-profit, 501c3 organization located on the east end of Long Island in New York. Their mission is to provide therapeutic riding lessons and equine assisted activities to children, young adults and veterans with cognitive, physical or emotional disabilities.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Project Green is a product sponsor of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium summer camp program, as well as their educational field trip programs. The Clearwater marine aquarium believes in preserving our environment while inspiring the human spirit through leadership in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine life; environmental education; research; and conservation. Their summer camp and field trip program helps educate children about our precious marine life and live in harmony with it while protecting the environent.
Community Cultivation
Getting the kids involved
Alive Expo, a Green Living and Natural Products consumer event in Atlanta, Georgia is an annual supporter of Project Green.
Project Green gets involved in the event to help raise awareness, promotions of the non-profit to the thousands of attendees, as well as fundraise and get local kids involved in Living Green!
Project Green Celebrity Supporters
Project Green has an annual presence at the Sundance Film Festival, during Oscar and Prime Time Emmy events, as well as at the Palm Beach International Film Festival. We are continuously adding more and more events in partnership with our generous sponsor and supporter Alive! Expo Green Pavilion who helps us make these events possible with our acclaimed Project Green Music Lounge at the Alive! Expo Green Pavilion events. By participating, we not only grow awareness but also gain celebrity support in all that we do. We invite you to check out our YouTube channel to check out some of the celebrity interviews!
Celebrities supporting Project Green
Here are just a few celebrities that stopped by the Project Green event in LA to show support and autograph our adirondack chair for an upcoming fundraising auction to help raise funds for Project Green!
Project Green Music Lounge during Sundance Film Festival
Here are just a few attending celebrities to one of the Project Green events during Sundance Film Festival.
Our Board
The board members at Project Green work tirelessly to help promote and grow our organization. We are committed to advancing the mission to one day be able to start and grow the Back to Basics camp and help ensure a greener tomorrow. Below you will find just a little bit more information about who we are and how we got here.
Patrycja Siewert Towns
Founder
Kim Kreiss
Founder
Ted Towns
Board Member
Brittany Portman
Board Member
Brittany was born in Atlanta, GA. After seeing ANNIE on Broadway at age 6, she decided she wanted to be an actress. She took singing, dancing and acting classes and made her acting debut in the Actor's Equity performance of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT at the Fox in Atlanta, GA. She is a graduate of Barnard College, New York, NY, Major: Film Studies She is a member of the Events Committee Columbia University Organization of Rising Entrepreneurs. Brittany and her family are involved in many charities and especially those that help children and concentrate on environment.
Do you have what it takes?
If you are passionate about creating a greener tomorrow, have a voice, and want to make a difference in the lives of inner city and foster kids, we need to talk. You CAN make a difference and we can help you do it. At Project Green we are always looking for passionate people to volunteer and help us help the kids. Whether it be serving on the Board of Directors, helping us plan the next big thing in green spaces, or just telling your friends how awesome we are, we need your help today. Please send use your application to volunteer and we will get in touch with you to let you know exactly how your can help.
In The Media
Project Green gets media mentions, you can find more information and links here.
https://dailygreenworld.com/2019/09/08/water-is-life/water/water-pollution/project-green-and-south-florida-leaders-launch-major-bahamian-relief-consortium/