About us
At Our Core
At the heart of our mission is an unwavering belief in the limitless potential of every child and youth. By fostering Authetic relationships, we provide holistic care for foster youth and their families. We equip young individuals with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities to embrace their future. By promoting independence and self-confidence, we help them build a strong basis for lifelong success.
Community Engagement
The Academy Project in Los Angeles, CA has been supporting the child welfare community for over ten years. Our priority is to promote well-being and growth by collaborating with other organizations to provide art enrichment, educational support, and essential services for foster youth. Through these partnerships, we aim to create a robust network of support that empowers foster youth to thrive academically, emotionally, and creatively, to promote joy, well-being, and comprehensive growth.
Our Vision
The Child Welfare System struggles with high caseloads, staffing shortages, and limited resources. Los Angeles COUNTY has over 30,000 children in foster care, MORE foster youth THAN THE ENTIRE STATE OF NEW YORK. Stronger support networks are crucial to GUIDE these youth AS THEY transition to independence. TAP aims to create a community where foster youth are empowered with the resources, skills, and guidance needed to become thriving, independent adults.
Bright Minds + Brighter Futures
Art Enrichment
Social Skills
OUR SERVICES
The Academy Project is dedicated to breaking the cycle of instability and educational disruption faced by foster youth. To date, TAP has positively impacted over 750 foster, unhoused, and other underserved youth with vital out-of-school time enrichment and summer programs.
Meet our team
01
Lauren costa
executive director and founder
Lauren founded The Academy Project as a result of her passion for and career working with foster youth.
She attended New York University where she graduated cum laude with a degree in Theater and Psychology.
She has been a lifelong advocate for foster youth and continues to work to strengthen the relationships between the systems and organizations that support foster youth.
02
Sheila Cutchlow
board of directors
Sheila came from a strong family foundation. Her mother, Shirley, was a kindergarten teacher, and spent her weekends as a Sunday school teacher. Education and activism were a priority, and these experiences instilled the values of community service, generosity, and care for others. Sheila’s work with The Academy Project is a reflection of this commitment. As a board member, Sheila seeks to lend a creative, collaborative, and knowledgeable presence to address the challenges facing foster care today.She brings an expertise in fundraising, strategic planning, and public relations to help TAP achieve their mission to impact and disrupt the burdened cycle, and build a stable environment where foster children can progress and thrive with the emotional, physical and financial support they need. Above all, Sheila is honored to be on The Academy Project Team and looks forward to all we can achieve together.
03
Michele Kawamoto Perry
board of directors
Michele is the Founder of The Forward Project, a Los Angeles-based consultancy that designs powerful culture transformation, leadership development, and high-performing teams programs to help organizations discover new ways to grow revenues, strengthen their culture, and accelerate their impact.
She is an angel investor, a Certified Sommelier, and a lover of travel, food, languages. Most of all, she is deeply passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of foster youth.
04
mary gastineau
board of directors
Mary has had a long and established career as a critical care and research RN.
Wanting to have a more active role in changing and shaping current situations, and events. Mary left the nursing role and went on to become an entrepreneur who has been a significant part of starting several successful businesses in the pharmaceutical and retail arenas.
During all of her jobs and endeavors she has maintained being an advocate for people’s rights.
05
tammy watson-smith
board of directors
Tammy Watson-Smith is a Principal and the Operations Leader for Mercer in the West Market.
She is responsible for managing improvement processes and communication activities as well as project scoping and planning to ensure that projects are delivered on time and within budget.
She acts as a strategic thinking partner with the Market CEO on new initiatives, business issues or concerns. Mercer is one of the operating companies of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.
06
Claire conley
board of directors
Claire Conley joined The Academy Project in 2019 as a volunteer with the co-op where she cultivated a strong passion for the organization and community it serves.
She attended UCLA where she graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Political Science.
In addition to the work with The Academy Project, she sits on the tribal council for the Gabrielino-Tongva Indians of California and has developed a professional career as an M&A analyst.
07
maria Cristel
board of directors
Maria has been actively involved with The Academy Project since 2021 and has become a valued member of the organization’s community and leadership. Over the years, she has supported several initiatives focused on creating stability, opportunity, and meaningful resources for young people impacted by the foster care system.
With a strong commitment to youth advocacy and community service, Maria brings a thoughtful, collaborative approach to the Board and is passionate about helping foster youth feel supported as they navigate important transitions in their lives. Through her continued involvement with The Academy Project, she remains dedicated to advancing the organization’s mission and helping expand the programs, partnerships, and opportunities available to the young people it serves.
Lauren costa
Lauren founded The Academy Project as a result of her passion for and career working with foster youth.
She attended New York University where she graduated cum laude with a degree in Theater and Psychology.
She has been a lifelong advocate for foster youth and continues to work to strengthen the relationships between the systems and organizations that support foster youth.
executive director and founder
Sheila Cutchlow
Sheila came from a strong family foundation. Her mother, Shirley, was a kindergarten teacher, and spent her weekends as a Sunday school teacher. Education and activism were a priority, and these experiences instilled the values of community service, generosity, and care for others. Sheila’s work with The Academy Project is a reflection of this commitment. As a board member, Sheila seeks to lend a creative, collaborative, and knowledgeable presence to address the challenges facing foster care today.
She brings an expertise in fundraising, strategic planning, and public relations to help TAP achieve their mission to impact and disrupt the burdened cycle, and build a stable environment where foster children can progress and thrive with the emotional, physical and financial support they need. Above all, Sheila is honored to be on The Academy Project Team and looks forward to all we can achieve together.
board of directors
Michele Kawamoto Perry
Michele is the Founder of The Forward Project, a Los Angeles-based consultancy that designs powerful culture transformation, leadership development, and high-performing teams programs to help organizations discover new ways to grow revenues, strengthen their culture, and accelerate their impact.
She is an angel investor, a Certified Sommelier, and a lover of travel, food, languages. Most of all, she is deeply passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of foster youth.
board of directors
mary gastineau
Mary has had a long and established career as a critical care and research RN.
Wanting to have a more active role in changing and shaping current situations, and events. Mary left the nursing role and went on to become an entrepreneur who has been a significant part of starting several successful businesses in the pharmaceutical and retail arenas.
During all of her jobs and endeavors she has maintained being an advocate for people’s rights.
board of directors
tammy watson-smith
Tammy Watson-Smith is a Principal and the Operations Leader for Mercer in the West Market.
She is responsible for managing improvement processes and communication activities as well as project scoping and planning to ensure that projects are delivered on time and within budget.
She acts as a strategic thinking partner with the Market CEO on new initiatives, business issues or concerns. Mercer is one of the operating companies of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.
board of directors
Claire conley
Claire Conley joined The Academy Project in 2019 as a volunteer with the co-op where she cultivated a strong passion for the organization and community it serves.
She attended UCLA where she graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Political Science.
In addition to the work with The Academy Project, she sits on the tribal council for the Gabrielino-Tongva Indians of California and has developed a professional career as an M&A analyst.
board of directors
maria Cristel
Maria has been actively involved with The Academy Project since 2021 and has become a valued member of the organization’s community and leadership. Over the years, she has supported several initiatives focused on creating stability, opportunity, and meaningful resources for young people impacted by the foster care system.
With a strong commitment to youth advocacy and community service, Maria brings a thoughtful, collaborative approach to the Board and is passionate about helping foster youth feel supported as they navigate important transitions in their lives. Through her continued involvement with The Academy Project, she remains dedicated to advancing the organization’s mission and helping expand the programs, partnerships, and opportunities available to the young people it serves.
board of directors
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