Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Montes.
Hi Kimberly, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
When developing youth design Philly, I entered a competition to create a start-up company that included tech. We came in second place. I was initially doing this fun competition but soon became passionate about the idea. I worked on developing the nonprofit for about three years.
While in the works I started with educational services and then expanded to provide room renovations. This idea hit home for me because I was one of the young teens we serve.
Being a creative child, I know first-hand the richness a creative outlet can have on a child’s development. Now, with two degrees in fine arts education and interior architecture and design, combined with 5 years of teaching experience, I am uniquely qualified to use my passion for design to empower inner-city students of Philadelphia through design application.
Coupled with a love for community engagement, my experience in art education is ultimately what led me to start Youth Design Philly (YDP).
After launching in June of 2020, YDP has offered students room makeovers and a range of design courses and aims to add course offering options for parents. We currently serve kids and teens ages 12-19 in our community, and the addition of small office space and more on-site staff will allow us to reach even more students.
Specifically, by hiring more trained educators, we will be able to broaden our courses to offer a wider range of art and design focuses. Our services are open to all students irrespective of race, gender, religious affiliation, etc. We hope these services will allow students to pursue a passion for creativity from an early age.
The incredible potential inspires Youth Design Philly found within every student and passionately strives to provide the resources necessary for them to tap into their strength and get the most out of their education.
We know the impact of an organized space–one that feels like an extension of your personality–and the tools you need to succeed can have on a person’s confidence and productivity.
Our ability to improve students’ lives through design directly depends on the number of rooms we can redesign and the number of courses we can offer.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been fairly smooth?
YDP has not been smooth sailing along the road.
However, we have our bright moments some struggles that we have faced were finding grants and support from our local government we also have struggled with expanding our outreach to students in need but despite those obstacles, we have prevailed through a pandemic in finding students that were in the most need.
We also have further developed our educational segment and expanded to various schools we are currently in the process of expanding our reach to students who may be able to afford our services and potentially become clients to help fund student rooms in need.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Youth Design Philly is a nonprofit organization where we educate students on the importance of Interior Design and its principles.
We provide educational services to the youth of all ages. Our instruction serves as an introductory course in the industry, exposing inner city youth to a potential career in the Design field – to help to shape their futures and potentially impact the future of Design.
In addition to in-class lessons, we provide pro bono furniture and room design services to students most in need, aiming to remove the stigma of design as a privilege.
YDP specializes in youth and interior design, we focus on providing students in low-income families the opportunity to feel lavish. Interior design has often been seen as an industry for the wealthy. We would like to be able to provide these types of services to students in need not only because it allows them to experience something lavish and fun but also has been proven to benefit their education.
YDP is proud of seeing the transformation in our students’ eyes when receiving a room renovation. We aspire to provide students with the most well-designed and highly functioning room and environment.
What sets us aside from others would be being a nonprofit design firm that focuses on children and teens what I would like the readers to know about youth design Philly is that we not only provide design services but also educational services allowing students to enter into a world of opportunities.
Whether dreaming of becoming an interior designer and architect or any other field related to the industry, we seek to expose our students to all the opportunities available in the industry.
Any big plans?
Fund and implement the renovation of 15 student rooms and 10 classrooms a year. Expand our current design course offerings for students and add course options for parents. Purchase and develop office space to efficiently operate as a fully funded non-profit.
Offer pay for current volunteers and train competent administration, staff, and teaching professionals to fulfill our mission. Assist underserved individuals by providing them with a supportive environment that allows them to be self-sufficient, productive, and fulfilled individuals in society.
Build a meaningful reputation as a premier nonprofit in Philadelphia that upholds professionalism, dignity, and empathy amongst the individuals we support while providing quality services. Expand our services to include paying clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: youthdesignphilly.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youthdesignphilly/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouthDesignPhilly/
Image Credits
The YDP Team
