Reciprocity Foundation
255 W 36th Street, Suite 1204New York, NY 10018
Telephone: (347) 546-2670
Fax: (212) 786-6890 Website: http://www.reciprocityfoundation.org
Attn: Taz Tagore Email: taz@reciprocityfoundation.org
Description
The Reciprocity Foundation received a grant of $10,000 in 2012 to accomplish the following:Underlying Need
Reciprocity Foundation serves homeless, runaway, and foster care youth. These young people
are at high risk of dropping out of school, failing to find and secure employment, and
becoming dependent on the human service system. New York City’s homeless, runaway, and
foster care youth are among the most disconnected and at-risk young people in the city. They
face distinct educational, career, mental health, housing, and stability challenges; they lack
strong family supports and they are at high risk of substance abuse, becoming involved with
the juvenile justice system, and otherwise not achieving independent adulthood. However, their
strong survival skills and unique life experiences equip them with great potential to become
self-sufficient adults, engaged citizens, and mindful members of our community.
However, scarce resources are dedicated to develop longer-term solutions to homelessness—a
tragedy for the nation’s homeless youth. As a result, nearly 80% of homeless youth that age out
of the youth shelter system either transfer to adult shelters/state funded housing, return to
abusive homes or live on/off the streets for much of their lives. It is this long-term poverty that
we address at the Reciprocity Foundation.
In contrast to the “Externally Focused” homeless sector, the Reciprocity Foundation leverages Buddhist principles and practices to alleviate the underlying causes of homelessness that include lack of self-esteem, spiritual isolation, disconnection from one’s body and an overstimulated mind. Our programs target the “Inner Life” of homeless youth and work towards helping them to reconnect to their bodies, spirits and the deep wellspring of positive energy in the world.
Buddhist teachings and practices rarely reach urban, low-income, youth of color in New York City even though this population has experienced tremendous suffering. They are typically victims of sexual, physical or psychological abuse. They are isolated from their families. They are living without many material comforts. But more importantly, when they enter our programs, they are ready to transform their lives. They have gained first-hand knowledge of the suffering created by their minds and by their life circumstances. They are ready to look for ways to transform their suffering and to realize their full potential as living beings.
After leading the youth on Buddhist retreats in 2011, we are certain that expanding our reach to offer more contemplative-based programming to homeless, foster care and disconnected youth with be successful. Part of our strategy for 2012 is to expand upon elements of our program that draw heavily upon Buddhist principles and practices.
