Vernon Avenue Project Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE VERNON AVENUE PROJECT, INC. WAS FORMED IN 2010 TO RECONNECT YOUNG MEN, 17-24, TO POSITIVE LIFE PATHS THROUGH ENTRENPRENURSHIP, EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP. THE ORGANIZATION, ALSO KNOWN AS "RECONNECT" OFFERS FORMATIVE ENTRY LEVEL WORK THROUGH THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. WORK IS PROVIDED AT RECONNECT GRAPHICS. THE YOUTH PARTNERS WERE YOUNG MEN NOT WORKING OR IN SCHOOL WHO EXPERIENCED THE BENEFITS OF EMPLOYMENT - MOST FOR THE FIRST TIME - MAKING STRIDES TOWARDS THEIR PERSONAL JOURNEY TO A MORE POSITIVE LIFE.
- Income
- $258,275
- Spending
- $476,900
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 1.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 68%
- Employees
- 29
- Volunteers
- 20
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 6% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 85% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 65% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (5)
- $79,740 spent. THE RECONNECT BUILDING MAINTENANCE TRAINING PROGRAM PROVIDES HANDS-ON, DIRECT TRAINING ON THE JOB FOR OUR YOUTH PARTNERS. THE PROGRAM HAS TWO ELMENTS: CUSTODIAL/JANITORIAL - RECONNECT PROVIDES DAILY FULL-SUITE JANITORIAL SERVICES TO IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, THOMAS BERRY PLACE, AND THE PASSIONIST MONASTERY 365 DAYS A YEAR. BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR - RECONNECT PROVIDES MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR SERVICES INCLUDING BOILER MAINTENANCE, FIRE CODE COMPLIANCE, ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE AND GOUNDS MAINTENANCE.
- $309,270 spent. THE RECONNECT GRAPHICS AND PRINTING SHOP IS A BUSINESS THAT PROVIDES HANDS-ON, DIRECT ON-THE-JOB TRAINING FOR OUR YOUTH PARTNERS. THE GRAPHICS AND PRINTING SHOP OFFERS FULL SERVICE, HIGH QUALITY PRINTING SERVICES; WE PROVIDE SERVICES TO HUNDREDS OF BUSINESSES IN THE NEW YORK CITY REGION EACH YEAR. OUR PRINT SHOP CAN PRINT ANYTHING ONTO ANYTHING, BUT THE MAINSTAY OF OUR BUSINESS IS PRINTING GARMENTS SUCH AS TEE SHIRTS, SWEAT SHIRTS, CAPS, AND OTHER ACCESSORIES. WE ALSO MAKE TOTE BAGE, CUSTOMIZED MUGS, AND TEXTILES FOR EVENTS (SUCH AS TABLE CLOTHS AND BANNERS). ALL OF OUR YOUTH PARTNERS SPEND TIME BEING TRAINED IN OUR GRAPHICS AND PRINTING SHOP.
- $11,495 spent. THE RECONNECT CAFE AND APPAREL SHOP IS A BUSINESS THAT OPERATES HANDS-ON, DIRECT ON-THE-JOB TRAINING FOR OUR YOUTH PARTNERS. THE RECONNECT CAFE, FIRST OPENED IN BEDFORD STUYVESANT IN 2013, WAS REOPENED AFTER COVID IN 2021 IN ITS NEW LOCATION IN THOMAS BERRY PLACE IN JAMAICA, QUEENS. IN OUR NEW CAFE, WE ALSO SELL APPAREL AND ACCESSORIES CREATED IN THE RECONNECT GRAPHICS SHOP, WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE SAME PREMISIES. OUR CAFE IS A FULL-SERVICE COFFEE AND BEVERAGE SHOP THAT OFFERS A RANGE OF COFFEE BREW OPTIONS, ALL OF WHICH ARE MADE FROM OUR SPECIALTY-SOURCED RECONNECT GOURMET COFFEE BEANS.
- THE RECONNECT CAFE AND APPAREL SHOP IS A BUSINESS THAT PROVIDES HANDS-ON, DIRECT ON-THE-JOB TRAINING FOR OUR YOUTH PARTNERS. THE RECONNECT CAFE, FIRST OPENED IN BEDFORD STUYVESANT IN 2013, WAS REOPENED AFTER COVID IN 2021 IN ITS NEW LOCATION IN THOMAS BERRY PLACE IN JAMAICA, QUEENS. IN OUR NEW CAFE, WE ALSO SELL APPARELS AND ACCESSORIES CREATED IN THE RECONNECT GRAPHICS SHOP, WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE SAME PREMISES. OUR CAFE IS A FULL- SERVICE COFFEE AND BEVERAGE SHOP THAT OFFERS A RANGE OF COFFEE BREW OPTIONS, ALL OF WHICH ARE MADE FROM OUR SPECIALTY-SOURCED RECONNECT GOURMET COFFEE BEANS. EXPENSES = 93,715. FOOD SERVICE FOR THE PARISH MONASTERY PROVIDED BY RECONNECT STAFF. EXPENSES = 53,314. GENERAL CONSULTING AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THOMAS BERRY PLACE RETREAT HOUSE. EXPENSES = 80,050.
- THE RECONNECT CAFE AND APPAREL SHOP IS A BUSINESS THAT PROVIDES HANDS-ON, DIRECT ON-THE-JOB TRAINING FOR OUR YOUTH PARTNERS. THE RECONNECT CAFE, FIRST OPENED IN BEDFORD STUYVESANT IN 2013, WAS REOPENED AFTER COVID IN 2021 IN ITS NEW LOCATION IN THOMAS BERRY PLACE IN JAMAICA, QUEENS. IN OUR NEW CAFE, WE ALSO SELL APPARELS AND ACCESSORIES CREATED IN THE RECONNECT GRAPHICS SHOP, WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE SAME PREMISES. OUR CAFE IS A FULL- SERVICE COFFEE AND BEVERAGE SHOP THAT OFFERS A RANGE OF COFFEE BREW OPTIONS, ALL OF WHICH ARE MADE FROM OUR SPECIALTY-SOURCED RECONNECT GOURMET COFFEE BEANS. EXPENSES = 93,715. FOOD SERVICE FOR THE PARISH MONASTERY PROVIDED BY RECONNECT STAFF. EXPENSES = 53,314. GENERAL CONSULTING AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THOMAS BERRY PLACE RETREAT HOUSE. EXPENSES = 80,050.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2013 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2013.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2014.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.