SMW Foundation Partnerships
Throughout her years, Stephanie was involved in many different organizations and groups that left a lasting impression on the way she lived her life. When thinking about where to start as far as partnerships are concerned, we felt it was only fitting to first reach out to the programs that Stephanie had ties to. The SMW Charitable Foundation is honored to partner with a few of these organizations, and we are so excited that Stephanie's legacy will carry on in the very places where it started.
LEAP
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In the past, Stephanie was the Theater Arts teacher at MS51, a public High School in Brooklyn, NY. She was also involved in LEAP, an after-school program offered for students to participate in. Steph started with LEAP as an instructor and eventually became the director of the after-school program. As director, Stephanie oversaw a team of instructors and developed the programming that would be offered to students. We recently had a phone call with Rich Souto, the Executive Director of LEAP, to establish what we wanted this partnership to look like. LEAP currently has an acting and playwriting program called LEAP Onstage. Students who participate in this program partake in a playwriting residency that immerses young people in storytelling, linear thinking, and creative expression. LEAP Onstage introduces students to the impact of theater and the thrill of performing. In May of 2025, Nancy and Glenn traveled to Manhattan and were honored as guests of Rich at the LEAP Spring Benefit. The SMW Foundation was honored to present a donation to the LEAP Onstage Program in the amount of $2,500. It is our hope to continue this partnership for the years to come.
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Ortonville High School Drama Department
Stephanie's three nephews live in Minnesota, and she was constantly traveling to visit for birthdays and family get togethers. Eventually, her nephews will be students at Ortonville High School, and we believe Steph would support a partnership with the community that her favorite boys are going to be invested in. In April of 2025, the SMW Foundation presented the OHS Drama Department with a $1,000 donation before their production of Phantom of the Opera. It was an emotional experience thinking about the impact that Stephanie’s legacy is having all over the country!
