About Us

A BroaderWay Foundation (ABW) was created in 2010 by Idina Menzel and a passionate group of artists, activists and social workers. Today, ABW is a women and artist-led organization guiding our future leaders through the arts.

Our mission is to amplify the power of young women and gender-expansive youth through the arts.

Through our programs, our Future Leaders develop their leadership skills:

  • Effective methods of communication

  • Increased confidence

  • Increased sense of authorship—being in charge of their narrative

  • Ability to use creative thinking to solve problems

  • Ability to resolve conflict individually or collaboratively

  • Expanded vision of themselves and their place in the world

  • Increased sense of self-awareness

  • Increased sense of community

  • Increased practical understanding of empathy

  • Artistic Expression in relation to awareness of self, community, and culture

Our Teaching Philosophies

Showing Up

We require readiness, accountability, responsibility, and awareness from our young people and staff. Showing up doesn’t mean simply being physically present—it means being on time, dressed appropriately, fully prepared to participate and to challenge yourself.

Process over Product

Our methods are responsive and exploratory. While creation is a part of what we do, the focus of our coursework is on what is revealed during the process of creation, and how that information can be applied to the world.

Intention

The objective of each class is clear to everyone. The Future Leaders and the instructors alike reveal their goals for themselves and for the group.

Mutuality

We approach lessons in a way that is led by the young people. We hear and listen to their thoughts, we implement their ideas, and we champion their self-efficacy.

High Expectations

We demand rigor and excellence, while offering experiences that are engaging, memorable, and joyful. We expect the best everyone has to offer.

Growth Mindset

We set aspirational goals and meet them. If someone is heard saying, “I can’t,” or “I don’t know how,” we remind them to add the word “yet.”

A Broader World

We encourage agency and curiosity so that these young people become change-makers in their communities and in the world at large.

Ritual

We structure coursework in such a way that there’s always a ‘home base.’ Certain exercises and behaviors are reinforced, so that the daily new experiences are grounded in consistency.

Our Core Values

  • We are Actively Anti-racist.

  • We approach everything Collaboratively; we work with—not for—our participants.

  • We value the Arts as the most effective conduit for leadership, expression, and empathy.

  • Authentic and Unapologetic Self-Expression is at the core of every lesson.

  • We strive for Justice, which requires everyone in our community to be fully seen and fully heard.

  • We practice Responsible Citizenship, informed by the world outside of ABW.

  • We remain Adaptive, Curious, and Responsive, requiring our process to be iterative and self-reflective.

  • We work with Rigor and Accountability.

Our History

A BroaderWay was created because Idina Menzel noted the financial disparities that often prevent young women from engaging in experiences that are enriching and life-altering. In this case, it was the sleepaway camp experience specifically. To address this within NYC, partnerships were created with charter schools, after-school programs, and individuals working within communities in Manhattan, Bronx, and Brooklyn that are underfunded and undervalued. A BroaderWay soon expanded from being only a sleep-away summer camp to including a school-year program of workshops, performances, social gatherings & reunions, and auxiliary enrichment opportunities. Now, A BroaderWay also maintains continued support to our Graduates offering workshops, mentoring, leadership opportunities, personal & professional development, internships, creative programming and service projects.