Putting Saginaw s Youth First

Transcription

1 What is the Cornerstone Club? Saginaw Community Foundation March 2008 Putting Saginaw s Youth First Keeping Saginaw s youth the number one priority It s an exciting time for the Foundation s newest initiative! For those of you who are unfamiliar with Youth First, it is the product of more than two years of investigative research and strategic planning to determine the most effective and efficient means for serving the youth development and recreation needs of children across Saginaw County. In May 2007, members of the volunteer-driven Operation Recreation including Renee Johnston, Joe Madison, and Hurley Coleman published a 203-page strategic plan that outlined a detailed approach to planning and promoting positive programs. The plan spelled out four service areas: programs, communications and public relations, technical assistance and training, and research and evaluation. Youth First is the vehicle for putting the plan into action and in November 2007 was identified as an initiative of the Saginaw Community Foundation. In September 2008, we will implement a pilot program at three Saginaw County elementary schools. Students at Brunkow Elementary, Carrollton Elementary, and C.C. Coulter Elementary will participate in an after-school program designed to meet their developmental needs and offer them opportunities for leadership and community service. Each school will convene a Youth Advisory Council a board of directors who will represent their peers and guide the programmatic end of Youth First. Council members will select from a vendor catalog a list of engaged community partners who will deliver quality programming across a range of activity focus groups. Themes such as life skills, nutrition, career exploration, and arts and culture will join sports, fitness, and recreation for Continued on page 4 During the past 3 years have you ever thought, Why am I receiving the Cornerstone Newsletter? Well, the reason is simple. You have chosen to be a charitable partner through the Saginaw Community Foundation whether through a contribution to the Cornerstone Club or another endowed fund. You are the donors we can count on for support year after year and we call you our Cornerstone Club members. The Cornerstone Fund was established in 1998 to build a permanent endowment to help support SCF year after year. In 2004, the fund was renamed the Lucy R. Allen Cornerstone Fund in honor of Lucy R. Allen who served 20 years as President and CEO of the Saginaw Community Foundation. We believe that SCF is too great of an asset to the community to keep a secret. Therefore, individuals giving $200 or more and couples giving Continued on page 6 Inside This Issue 1. Youth First Cornerstone Club 2. Communities In Schools New Faces at SCF 3. President s Report 4. Old Town Soup Kitchen 5. Grants at a Glance 6. Ice Skating Rink 7. Board of Directors/Staff Inner Circle 8. Upcoming Events

2 2 COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS THE ANSWER TO SAGINAW COUNTY S PROMISE Jump Start Your Health will take place at Saginaw Valley State University on April 16, Thanks to a generous donation from Dow Chemical, sixth grade students across the county will be able to participate in fitness sessions and learn about health and safety from its many vendors and workshop providers. Learning about health, dancing, yoga, walking, jumping rope and getting out of school for the day what more could sixth graders ask for? The increasing number of students who drop out of high school is becoming an epidemic, not only in Michigan, but nationwide. America s Promise is working with states to develop a summit that would bring attention and action to the dropout crisis in Michigan. The Michigan Non-profit Association was chosen as the lead for Michigan s Dropout Summit. Communities In Schools-The Answer to Saginaw County s Promise is a member of the team that will make this event happen. Stay tuned for further details! Head Start students and youth participants from Greater Coleman Temple are one step closer to becoming environmental advocates. Roots & Shoots, a program of the Jane Goodall Institute, is growing roots in Saginaw County. Head Start students will be learning about the environment, animals and service projects through a curriculum that is specially designed for students of their age. The youth group from Greater Coleman Temple will be working hard to establish service learning projects that will help to better our community. Be on the lookout for these programs as they begin to shape students in Saginaw County. 100 Best Communities commemorative posters are now available at the Saginaw Community Foundation for just $ New Faces at SCF Check out some of the new faces you will be seeing around the SCF office in upcoming months Cynthia Gamez Executive Assistant Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Cynthia spends much of her time volunteering at the TCT Network, WAQP- TV in Saginaw. We are grateful for Cynthia s extra office support! Kelsey Jennings Finance Assistant Kelsey is a senior at Saginaw Valley State University majoring in Business Accounting. She comes to us with previous internship experience from the Bay Area Community Foundation. Jennifer Moore Scholarship & Program Assistant After spending over ten years in the telecommunications industry, Jennifer has stepped into her position at SCF with much ambition and ease. She has proven to be a huge asset to SCF!

3 3 President s Report It s only the month of March and things for the Saginaw Community Foundation are already at a high point. But, before I move on to 2008, I must say that 2007 ended on a very high note. We may not have reached our goal of becoming a $45 million organization, but we did hit $42 million and were extremely successful with establishing new funds. Our goal last year was to establish 20 new funds - we established 33! That s actually more exciting than reaching $45 million because these are 33 new funds, in addition to our 389 existing funds, that will allow the Saginaw Community Foundation to impact Saginaw County in a positive way. Yes, the dollars are important to have an impact in the community, but the relationships we form with individuals, agencies, organizations and corporations when we establish endowment funds are priceless. In fact, one of the Foundation s goals for 2008 is to analyze our impact on the community based on other data-driven activities in addition to the growth of our assets. Overall, the Foundation was able to successfully achieve (overachieve) all of our 2007 goals. Looking forward to 2008, I already mentioned one of our goals for the year, but another one of our goals is to collaborate more with our regional partners, Bay Area and Midland Area Community Foundations. The other CEOs and I are scheduled to meet on a monthly basis and we will plan on bringing our entire staffs together on a quarterly basis to identify projects and activities that we can do jointly to strengthen our services on a regional level. We already have an excellent track record on joint accomplishments. One of those accomplishments is the MLK Regional Scholarship. Each of the Community Foundations has its own MLK endowment that has been greatly supported financially by Dow Chemical, along with other individual contributors. On January 21, the three Foundations in conjunction with the three area Chambers, celebrated our 3rd annual MLK celebration, which was hosted by the Bay Area Foundation and Chamber of Commerce. The Saginaw Community Foundation hosted in 2007, and Midland area will host again in It s a great opportunity for us to combine our endowment dollars to reach out to youth across the region. Our second successful collaborative story is the Partners in Nursing Project. The Community Foundations, in conjunction with our regional medical institutions, colleges, community colleges and universities, applied for a grant through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Our grant proposal supported the idea of an education program in line with the grow your own approach in order to address the nursing faculty shortage we face across the region. Robert Wood Johnson was obviously pleased with the program and the collaborative effort and awarded us a grant for $250, We currently have eight individuals across the region participating in this extensive nursing program. Thus far, I ve revealed two of our goals for 2008, and I will reveal all of our goals for this year in the next issue of Cornerstone. However, I would like to mention there is one fund we ve established already this year that we are extremely excited about. We all hope the youth in our community will always look at Saginaw County as their hometown. Well, one former Saginaw County youth, who has become very successful in the National Football League, has recently shown homage for his hometown. Stuart Stu Schweigert, a graduate of Heritage High School in 2000, and a player for Oakland Raiders, shared with close friends and family that he wanted to give back to his community in a huge way. Someone referred Stu to the Community Foundation so we could explain how we could help him accomplish his goal. After making our presentation, Stu not only established a donor advised fund, but also a scholarship. Once again, it goes back to my earlier comment about the relationships the Foundation is able to form with different people, who ultimately want to make a difference in our community. Please look for our 2007 annual report that will be distributed in the Saginaw News in early June. Also, our community celebration will take place on June 2nd at the historic Montague Inn- hope to see you there! Renee S. Johnston President & CEO

4 4 Old Town Soup Kitchen Has a Home Author Bill Burns, Manager of the Old Town Soup Kitchen The issue of addressing hunger in the Saginaw area has been at the forefront of Old Town s charitable efforts for many years. As a start, the Old Town Mobile Soup Kitchen was initiated in 2001 with the distribution of a bagged lunch, groceries, clothing, and household items in a parking lot. It was also recognized that more could be done if a permanent facility was available for serving hot, nutritious meals on a day to day basis. With this capability a person or family would be provided with a meal at least seven days a week. Beginning in February of 2007, a series of events occurred which made it possible for Old Town to go forward with a new building, without a licensed kitchen. Realizing that now was the time to include a kitchen in the building, Old Town reached out to Saginaw and Midland County foundations. The response was very positive with the Saginaw Community Foundation being a supporter both financially and providing direction in our fundraising efforts. The Soup Kitchen opened February 18, 2008 with the anticipation of serving approximately 300 people per day. There was a time when single men dominated a soup kitchen. This, however, is not true any more. Times have changed. Demographics show that those in need of food are the unemployed, underemployed, working poor, single mothers, the aged, and those who simply cannot work for a variety of reasons. Economic forecasts indicate that there is little reason to believe that Michigan s employment situation will improve in the near future; therefore, hunger is a major problem in Saginaw. It is through organizations like the Saginaw Community Foundation that nonprofits, like Old Town and similar organizations, can help those in need. Without foundations, Old Town had no possibility of funding a fully equipped kitchenwhich costs approximately $300,000. Non-financial support has been critical to the opening of the kitchen as well. The East Side Soup Kitchen and Hidden Harvest have been valuable allies against hunger, providing operational advice and no cost food toward this effort. Our thanks go out to the Saginaw Community Foundation and all those who have helped Old Town bring about the only West Side soup kitchen. Community leaders will dedicate the new facility March 27, The Old Town Soup Kitchen will no longer have to be held in a parking lot. They will now have a permanent home to serve the hungry. Youth First continued from page 1 a complete approach to youth development. In all, ten activity focus categories will offer youth expanded opportunities to learn and grow. Modeled after the Bridges to the Future program in Genesee County, but adapted to fit the unique needs of the individual schools and communities of Saginaw County, Youth First is a positive program centered on collaboration and cooperation. The Youth First mission is to preserve, enhance, and expand characterbuilding and recreational opportunities for Saginaw County youth that will help them achieve their potential as individuals and citizens of our community. Our pilot program is just one of the ways we ll fulfill that mission. For more information on any of the Youth First projects or to find out how you can help, contact Youth First Coordinator Jamie Lewis at (989) or jamie@saginawfoundation.org.

5 5 4th Quarter Grants at a Glance Donor Advised A donor advised fund at SCF allows donors to recommend grants to charitable organizations and offers donors a great deal of flexibility in making grants to a wide range of charitable nonprofit organizations. Examples of recent donor advised grants include: First Ward Community Service - Cathedral Youth Center location; Japanese Cultural Center - to restore the original Japanese stone lantern; Delta College Broadcasting - for equipment and set-up of digital TV programming; READ Association - to purchase hardcover children's books for the Lending Library and general program support to organizations like East Side Soup Kitchen, Salvation Army and Underground Railroad. Unrestricted Distribution Committee Grants In December of 2007, the Boys and Girls Club of Saginaw County was awarded a $5,000 grant to support the development of basic life skills, problem-solving, decision-making capabilities and communication skills, all designed to boost a child s self confidence, self esteem and sense of security to deal with gang pressures. The Boys and Girls Club of Saginaw County provides behavioral guidance and promotes the health, social, educational, vocational and character development of boys and girls ages Saginaw Township Soccer Association was also a recipient of a grant to assist them with Soccer Goal The development and expansion of the Saginaw Township Soccer Complex will provide greater recreational opportunities for all ages and meet growing demand for soccer league and tournament play. The expansion will include six new fields and 260 parking spaces. Grants for Excellence Teaching Mini-Grants The Grants for Excellence program is designed to foster educational innovation by funding creative ideas not funded by school budgets. It also provides an opportunity to recognize and reward outstanding teachers in Saginaw County. A representative sample of 2008 Teacher MiniGrants are listed below: Bridgeport-Spaulding Community Schools Literacy Lab - to purchase tape players, listening stations, books with tapes, etc. for a literacy lab. Carrollton Public Schools Doing More for Global Awareness - to purchase basic lab equipment to support Global Systems Science program. Frankenmuth School District Hooked on Hydroponics - to purchase the equipment necessary to build a student designed, coordinated, and maintained aquatic system. Freeland Community School District One Author Unites Many Minds - to acquire a wellknown author to visit and discuss writing and publishing at the "Book Summit." Hemlock Public Schools Four Miles for Fun and Fitness - to purchase trophies, water, snacks, and set-up costs for a 4mile walk/run, to promote health and wellness. Peace Lutheran School Meeting All Needs - to purchase a variety of manipulatives and materials to educate students who may be struggling with regular curriculum. Saginaw Intermediate School District REMC Student Film Festival - to provide awards, facility rentals and a speakers' fee for the 2008 festival. Saginaw Township Community Schools Parent/Student Guided Reading Program - to purchase books that will be lent to students to take home and use with their parents. St. Peter Lutheran School Demo Tank - to purchase three demo tanks. St. Thomas Aquinas School Salmon in the Classroom - to purchase the chiller and filters necessary to regulate and filter the water to keep the salmon alive. School District of the City of Saginaw Entrepreneurs in Action - to purchase instructional books about beading and jewelry design, beading tools and supplies, packaging supplies, and personal hygiene items. Swan Valley School District Authors in Training - to purchase three units of study kits and required trade book resources. Do You Have a Project? If your nonprofit organization has an interesting and innovative program, contact one of the Saginaw Community Foundation program officers to discuss your grant. For more information, go to.

6 6 Next Generation- Skating Anyone? For the past two years, the Saginaw Community Foundation s Next Generation group has been talking about the idea of creating a Rockefeller Plaza skating rink in front of the Saginaw County Courthouse, and they finally did it. Until now, the weather just hasn t cooperated, and the group was ready to move on to a different project. But, once they planted the idea, they were determined to make it happen. So, even before the cold weather and snow hit us hard, they had the courthouse lawn surveyed, thanks to Spence Brothers and Mr. Herb Spence, and got all the prep work done. In order to get everyone excited to do some ice skating, the group thought it would be fun to give several pairs of ice skates away to youth in the community. They decided to have a coloring contest during the Holidays in the Heart of the City event, hoping it would attract a lot of participants, which it did. After a tough decision, five winners were identified ranging in ages from six to twelve, and were presented with a brand new pair of ice skates. With the cooperation of the Saginaw Fire Department, Next Generation had a groundbreaking event in front of the Courthouse and invited the winners of the coloring contest to come and receive their ice skates. It happened to be one of the coldest days of winter, but a nice crowd showed up to watch our firefighters spray water for the rink. Thanks again to the supporters of the project: Spence Brothers; Bell Landscaping, LLC; AF Gushow & Sons; Saginaw County; J.B. Meinberg s; Saginaw News; Susie McColgan; Laura Manlapit; and the Saginaw Fire Department. Happy skating! Left:: In December, the Saginaw County Fire Department sprayed water to create a base for the ice skating rink in front of the Saginaw County Courthouse. Below: Next Generation s original idea for the ice skating rink. 12/7/2007 (2007) The Saginaw News. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted with permission. Cornerstone Club continued from page 1 $400 or more to any one of SCF s 311 endowed funds are considered Cornerstone Club members. This way, we can keep in contact with you and keep you posted on the great things going on in our community with the partnership of SCF. A great big THANK YOU for all of your support!

7 Richard T. Watson Chair Joseph W. Madison Vice-Chair Reneé S. Johnston President & CEO Mark S. Flegenheimer Secretary David J. Abbs Treasurer Heidi A. Bolger Assistant Treasurer Barb Russell United Way Liaison David R. Butts Reneé S. Johnston Stephanie Wirtz President & CEO Saginaw County s Promise Coordinator Brian Jackson Vice President, Donor Relations & Development Jamie Lewis Sue Sims Youth First Coordinator Finance Officer Kelsey Jennings LeeAnn Martuch Finance Assistant Program Officer Jennifer Moore Kristin Reis Scholarship & Program Assistant Communications Officer & FORCE Coordinator Mandy Johnston Cynthia Gamez Executive Assistant Executive/Program Assistant SCF Liaison Linda L. Sims Immediate Past Chair Rev. Hurley J. Coleman, Jr. Community Liaison Raana Akbar, M.D. Mary Lou Benecke Bishop Robert J. Carlson Paul Chaffee Morrall M. Claramunt, CPCU Ellen E. Crane JoAnn Crary Desmon Daniel, Ph. D. Craig C. Douglas, Ph.D. James Fabiano, II Andrea L. Fisher Frederick C. Gardner Smallwood Holoman Cory Jackson Timothy M. MacKay Kala Karu Ramasamy, M.D. Ricardo Resio Jerry L. Seese Sam Shaheen, M.D. James J. Shinners Bridget Smith Martin H. Stark Julie Case Swieczkowski Mamie Thorns, Ph.D. Jerry Ulrey Hannah Watson Friends Circle Andrews Hooper & Pavlik, PLC Bierlein Companies W. L. Case & Company Consumers Energy Covenant HealthCare The Dow Chemical Company Duro-Last Roofing, Inc. Fabiano Brothers, Inc. Frankenmuth Financial Group HealthPlus of Michigan The Iles Group at Merrill Lynch WM. F. Nelson Electric, Inc. Princing & Ewend The Public School Superintendents of Saginaw County Pumford Construction The Rehmann Group St. Mary s of Michigan Robert E. Stark & Martin H. Stark Foundation Fund Stevens Worldwide Van Lines TBF Graphics Tri-Star Trust Bank Burt Watson Chevrolet-Pontiac, Inc. Wolgast Corporation Zentx 7

8 Upcoming Events April 16 May 1 May 8 Jump Start Your Health: Healthy Beginnings for Youth 6th grade health fair, SVSU Ryder Center Grant Application Deadline Students Spring into Service May 17 May 19 FORCE Fundraiser & Concert Excellence in Education Scholarship Award Night June 2 Community Celebration at the Montague Inn Would you like to receive your Cornerstone Newsletter electronically? If so, please contact us with your name and address. Call Us: (989) Us: kristin@saginawfoundation.org Check out our promotional DVD at: In 2006, the Saginaw Community Foundation became a nationally accredited community foundation by passing National Standards set by Community Foundations of America. 100 South Jefferson, Suite 201 Saginaw, MI