Youth Fund Report on Visit to Common Ground

The Youth Fund Advisory Committee had our second meeting of the year on Sunday, October 19^th. We took a trip to the Common Ground Retreat Center in Oberlin to participate in community building activities. Rick Grahovac, Executive Director of Common Ground led our group on a nature hike across some of the twenty-one acres of land owned by Common Ground. Although we had to trek through some unfavorable conditions such as mud and thorns, every member persevered. I thought this said a lot about this year’s members – we are determined and ready to finish what we start.

 

 

After returning to the Common Ground lodge we found the room to be full of percussion instruments. In front of every chair was a drum, and next to the chairs were different types of percussion instruments. There were a variety of different drums from around the world and each had a different tone. Ed Boas led us through a number of different drumming exercises in which everyone worked together using rhythm patterns to create a song. I am a drummer, and it was awesome to see how exceptionally well everyone in the committee that hadn’t much experience with drums picked up the idea. As a group we made a great drum circle and learned that each person brings something interesting to the group. Overall, Octobers meeting was a great success and I am looking forward to our service trip to the Second Harvest Food Bank next month.

 

-         Mike Miraldi, YF Publicist

 

 

 

Youth Fund Kicks Off New Year by Mike Miraldi

The Youth Fund Advisory Committee is off to a great start! On Sunday, September 21^st, we had our first committee meeting of the year which was planned and led by the Youth Fund officers. This year the officers of the Youth Fund are president Rebecca Temerario, vice president Kaitlin Flanigan, secretary Evann Heidersbach, and as publicist, myself, Mike Miraldi. After introducing the officers and staff members, the Youth Fund members introduced themselves. Looking at the new members of the Youth Fund I was reminded of my first committee meeting approximately one year before. Listening to their input during the meeting I could tell that each member seemed excited to learn about the Community Foundation and how we are going to help the community this year. Whether through the review of grant applications from teachers or during one of the community service field trips we have planned, I think that this will be a successful year for the Youth Fund. 

-       Mike Miraldi, YF Publicist

Celebrating Compassion

In just 4 weeks on October 16, the Community Foundation will host a festive celebration featuring the work of seven local phenomenal women.  This first annual Women of Compassion event was designed to recognize those working behind the scenes to better our community.  These seven surely fit that description:

Denice Anderson – Denice is a registered nurse at Fresenius Medical Center which specializes in dialysis services.  Denice was nominated by many co-workers and patients for providing a light-hearted touch with jokes and smiles while at work, and for assisting patients outside of work with rides to physicians’ appointments, providing meals to frail, elderly neighbors and volunteering for the Lorain County Free Clinic.

Sister Mary Berigan – Sister Mary is truly a beacon of safety for children.  She is the founder and Director of Blessing House, a children’s crisis care center, volunteers with the Voices for Children program, and is involved with Catholic elementary schools.  Sister Mary works long, tireless hours to help parents find food, transportation and shelter so that their children can remain in a safe, loving environment.

Lori Campana – Lori is the woman behind the Soul to Sole program.  A devoted mother to two daughters, Lori helps less fortunate children fit in by outfitting them with stylish Starbury shoes.  Last year, Soul to Sole put shoes on 6,000 feet belonging to 3,000 local Boys and Girls Club members.  Lori has also volunteered for St. Joseph’s Hospital, St. Peter’s Church, and Lorain and Elyria Catholic High Schools.

Tracy Isenberg – Tracy is a loving mom who goes above and beyond to help the children of Irving Elementary in Lorain.  Tracy has raised money to buy school supplies, arranges for a Santa Shoppe that allows all students to purchase holiday gifts, and even raised funds to purchase a washer and dryer for the school so that she personally could wash dirty coats while the children attend class.

Pastor Tina Kayatin – Pastor Tina founded the Joshua Kids program in 1992 to help at-risk children ages five through twelve who reside in low-income areas.  The program helps children with issues like peer pressure and decision-making while providing a safe and loving environment.  The Kids program eventually grew into a Joshua Teens program which addresses drug/alcohol abuse and teen pregnancy.  Pastor Tina is also an advocate for children placed in foster care and is a founder of an orphanage in Haiti.

Dawn Prokop – Dawn has changed lives through her work with the Wesleyan Senior Living ministry to older adults.  Dawn brought the Second Wind Dreams project to the center, which helps improve quality of life by helping seniors achieve their lifelong dreams.  Dawn’s efforts, even dancing the hokey-pokey with a wheelchair bound resident, helps these seniors stay young and active.  Dawn is also active in her church, Church of the Redeemer, where she has served on many committees.

Alicia Phillips – Alicia was selected as the Rising Star recipient, a young woman under the age of twenty-five working to make a difference.  Alicia is a recent graduate of Open Door Christian School where she volunteered to tutor students after school, served as a bell-ringer for the Salvation Army, organized blood drives and served as Key Club President.  Alicia even traveled to Louisiana to assist in rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Katrina.  Alicia is currently a student at Lorain County Community College.

 

We hope that you are inspired by their stories, whether or not you can celebrate with us on October 16.  We definitely need more compassion in our world!

 

Celebrating a Cool Birthday by Linda Ong Weaver

How does the Community Foundation celebrate a birthday?

The Community Foundation turned 28 years old this year and we counted our blessings. We thought about the big issues and little everyday things that make a difference… like blowing out 28 candles and breathing a sigh of relief. No big deal; so many of us blow out candles every year. But for those with respiratory conditions such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, pleurisy, pneumonia, et cetera; blowing out candles and even breathing is a really big deal. And in the dog days of summer with high humidity, breathing can be very difficult. As is the tradition and philosophy of the Community Foundation, we look beyond our simple joys and wonder, who isn’t blowing out candles this summer and why not?

In Ohio, there has been assistance for poor people with breathing problems and other ailments. The Home Energy Assistance Program (“HEAP”) has given free air-conditioners to the poor and medically needy with breathing problems and at risk of heat stroke. But HEAP funding was slashed by $7 million this summer, partly due to higher than anticipated heating costs over winter; so there was no money available for free air-conditioners this summer.  I am proud to tell you that your Community Foundation responded quickly.

Board President, Jane Norton says, “Meeting community needs has always been a priority and hallmark of the Community Foundation.” In honor of the Community Foundation’s 28^th Anniversary, our Board of Directors decided this was an opportunity to give back to the community. Board Director, Jim Vandermark, wasted no time in finding us the best deal to purchase 28 air-conditioners from Stewart’s Appliances in Elyria (hence allowing us to stretch our grant dollars further). Staff worked closely with the Lorain County Task Force for the Homeless with a network of more than 32 organizations serving the poor, to give the air-conditioners to the most needy in Lorain County. Eligibility is based on income and proof of a medical condition from a physician. So far, twenty air-conditioners have been distributed.

Two individuals wanted me to tell you their stories and to thank you. Susan is 64 years old and recovering from a heart attack. She has asthma and is struggling with coronary heart disease. Her doctor suggested she buy an air conditioner to get some relief from the heat and humidity, but Susan could not afford one. Her doctor suggested contacting Catholic Charities and we were there. It’s a small room air-conditioner but Susan says, “The air-conditioner has really been a blessing. I so appreciate it. It has made my recovery less painful and breathing much more comfortable. Thank you!”

John is a single parent raising two sons, ages 6 and 4 years; and John recently lost his job. Both sons have difficulty breathing at times but it is his 4-years old who experiences the most severe difficulty. When this young child was 6 months old, he was rushed to the hospital and treated for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (“RSV”). RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia among infants and children under 1 year of age.  RSV also causes repeated infections throughout life, usually associated with moderate-to-severe cold-like symptoms. However, severe lower respiratory tract disease may occur at any age, especially among the elderly or among those with compromised cardiac, pulmonary, or immune systems.  This little boy continues to struggle with RSV. John has decided to return to the Army because he cannot find a job and it is his best chance to continue providing for his sons, and the boys are going to live with John’s parents. But no one could afford to buy an air-conditioner which the boys desperately needed as summer warmed up and the humidity climbed. John says, “Obtaining the air-conditioner from the Community Foundation was a big deal for me and my family. Besides the air-conditioner, just knowing that someone cared and was reaching out, that’s what counts.”

You cared and that what counts. On behalf of Susan, John and his sons, we thank you. Your support makes it possible for us to do the big things and the little things, like responding to a need that no one really talked about or knew; but it mattered to Susan and John’s young children, and all the other families. You are our family. Thank you for helping us celebrate our 28^th anniversary! Now go blow out some candles and make a wish.

Farewell from the Youth Fund

Each year, the Foundation assembles a group of high school students who spend the year learning about philanthropy and charitable giving.  They make grants, perform service projects, and learn about Lorain County.  Here are the parting thoughts from this year’s group:

Youth Fund Members and Foundation Staff Visit Lorain Lighthouse

 

“The most informative day was learning who the hungry truly are.  The best part of the experience, however, was just meeting other people who care about the future.”  Dan – Columbia HS

 

 “In Youth Fund this year, we did a lot of interesting things.  I really enjoyed visiting Common Ground near Oberlin.  I didn’t know this even existed in my community!  Approving grants was also interesting.  I’m sad I won’t be returning next year – keep the group going strong!”  Megan – Amherst Steele HS

 

 “We had a great [grant] cycle this year.  Many [members] participated with debates, questioning and thought.  Also enjoyed the trips we were able to go on, such as Common Ground.  Being able to interact with students from all over Lorain County is great.”  Tim – Firelands HS

 

 “Volunteering at the Food Bank was a good experience, because we were physically helping the community.”  Mike – Lake Ridge Academy

 

 “I enjoyed learning about all of the work that is behind the grant process.  Great experience!” Evann – Elyria Catholic HS

 

 “I liked learning about how the Foundation operates.  I also liked learning about endowments.  I learned a bunch I never knew!”  Adam – Midview HS

 

 “This was my first year.  I came here not knowing much about it but through the trips and meetings I have picked up on a lot of things like different ways to volunteer or help.  I had fun.” Jeremy – Elyria HS

 

“I love every one of the Youth Fund kids!  We’ve had some good times.  I will never spell ‘donor’ wrong again.”  Jill – Avon HS

 

 “I enjoyed learning more about the grant process!!  I also enjoyed meeting all the new kids!” Katie – Midview HS

 

 “I didn’t always come, but I wish I would of!  The trips were all fun, and [so were] grant learning experiences. I’ll really miss it.”  Dalton – Oberlin HS

 

 “I enjoyed learning ways to help out people.  The experiences I had this year with the group will last me forever.”  Ashley – Amherst Steele HS

 

“I met a lot of caring students that I wouldn’t have met otherwise.  I made a lot of new friends!  I’m glad I still have another year left!”  Rebecca – Clearview HS

 

Annual Meetings –More than just blah, blah, blah

The Foundation just held its Annual Meeting this past Wednesday.  It’s our opportunity to put on a show for our donors and the professional advisors that we work with along with recognizing our scholarship recipients and providing our agency stakeholders with investment and grant updates.  We try to make it nice — an opportunity for folks to come together and visit, but it is what it is.

The challenge for me, who puts it together, is to keep it interesting.  We try to highlight a grantee.  This year it was FAVA, who put together a great exhibit of student artists from a grant that we actually funded.  We try to mix it up by changing the order, including different speakers, going from one podium to interactive dialogue between two, premiering our video.

We want everyone to leave inspired to give, to volunteer, to continue serving the community.  We share a moving story about the work of one of our organizations.  This year, Neighborhood House Association was highlighted with a story of a homeless man who refused shelter because he would not part with his dog.  Truly a moving piece becomes more meaningful when we learn that the man has returned to his chosen career and is back on track — and back with his dog.

We always wonder, what’s the result?  Does anything happen after we’ve brought 320 very diverse individuals together.  We’ve learned of a few things — internships for our scholarship recipients, the nomination of a board member for a prestigious award, a donor’s change of heart about estate plans to include more of a gift to this Foundation. 

So, it works.  There’s actually an energy that comes from the room that day — I’m not the only one who has felt it.  Bringing people together to do and celebrate good work can result in change and betterment for the community.  Now, how can we make it better next year?

Making a Difference, One Student at a Time by Linda Weaver

It is my privilege as Senior Program Officer to visit hundreds of programs throughout Lorain County when they apply to the Community Foundation of Lorain County for grants. In my 12 years here at the Foundation, I have seen and heard many heart breaking and heart warming stories; please allow me to share one with you.

In 1996, on a site visit to an after school program, I wandered into a small building in south Elyria.  Asbury United Methodist Church had started an after school program called “Save Our Children” for children, ages five to sixteen years. Pastor Freed showed me groups of children toiling over homework with adult and teenage volunteers. At one point, Pastor Freed introduced me to Amanda, a high school senior from Elyria High School. Amanda and three other teenagers were working through skill development programs on some old donated computers. Pastor Freed told me that Amanda was their star student. She had been accepted by several colleges including MIT but she could not go because of the costs of college. Amanda had not applied for our scholarships (but I just happened to have an application with me!).

At that time, I was also managing scholarships and knew many wonderful and generous donors at the Community Foundation of Lorain County who would help a bright student like Amanda. In 1997, Amanda received our Lake Erie Electric Scholarship for engineering when she enrolled at GMI. In 1998, the Lakeland Women’s Club Fund gave Amanda another scholarship; and so on.  I lost touch with Amanda as I pulled back from scholarships and focused totally on grants. (Our grants program was growing and took up all my attention; so we hired Ramona Grigsby, Program Associate, to manage scholarships.)

Last year, in 2007, I was back on another site visit at Save Our Children. I met an older gentleman and introduced myself. He told me his name and I asked him if he knew Amanda? He said he did! Amanda is his daughter. I asked him about Amanda and he proudly told me that Amanda is now working on her Ph.D. in engineering! Both of us a little older, we hadn’t recognized each other from our frantic calls and meetings 12 years ago. He told me he had been a construction worker and he never even understood the things his daughter said she wanted to do; but as his eyes watered a little, his pride and happiness showed. I asked him what he was doing at Save Our Children since Amanda had graduated. He was there with his little granddaughter. Amanda’s younger sister was a single mom, working and studying at the same time.  He brought his granddaughter to after school programs at Save Our Children so that they would save his little grandbaby too. We looked down at this little girl who hung on to this older man’s big rough hands and looked into our future. 

To all of you, who support grants to youth programs and so many other wonderful projects, thank you!   It was your support that sent me to Save Our Children twelve years ago. Your support ensures that well run programs make a difference every day and into the future. Thank you.       

 

 

Keeping up with the times by Beth Maiden

Just as soon as I have a handle on what I think is the very latest in technology, I learn that I know nothing at all. 

We have been working diligently to upgrade our website with blogs, video, and audio in an effort to keep up with the times and expand a website visitor’s experience.  Our latest conquest has been to add a Flickr page with a photo library.  And I’m considering a MySpace page for our Youth Fund.  This is, of course, in addition to our current ways of communicating which includes emails, newsletters, events, and our annual report.

Today, as we were overcoming our issues with photos, my boss informed me of Second Life and how other nonprofit agencies were actually making products and money through participating in this virtual world.  Frankly, it’s a bit too 2001 Space Odyssey  for me. I’m still baffled by watching Robert Downey Jr. assemble Iron Man with a virtual toolbox and workbench.

We’ll figure it out, though, as this Foundation is committed to spreading our messages using as many mediums as possible.  I suppose that I need to start picking out my Avatar ….

Update from the Women’s Fund from Clare Cygan Young

     The Women’s Fund, established in 1991, has gone through a needed rejuvenation of sorts since the beginning of 2004.  They appreciate the work the founding sisters contributed and are committed to continuing their important work.  Currently the Women’s Fund Committee consists of eighteen dedicated women of the community who meet monthly.  These women are passionate about finding and creating ways to educate our Lorain County community about the important issues and concerns of our women and girls and the services needed in our community to better serve this 50% of our population. 

     They are also creating ways to encourage philanthropy and to build endowment for the Women’s Fund.  Last year the Women’s Fund added funding to three programs: Save Our Children, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Little Lighthouse Learning Center.  The committee is eager to review new proposals in June and to once again add funding support to selected programs, in particular for women and girls.

The women on this committee strongly believe that women give of themselves and give financial support to expedite change, rather than to preserve the status quo.

 

     Currently the committee is working on two separate activities.  The first is a $25,000 challenge issued to us by a very caring women’s advocate in our community.  They are reaching their goal slowly, but the committee is working diligently every day and believes they will meet that challenge by the end of May.

The second activity is a friend/fundraiser to be held on Sunday, May 18^th from 1:00pm to 5:00pm at the Avon Lake Public Library.  This is another one of the committee’s “Power of the Purse” events.  This is a spa and relaxation day event which will include a brunch, fashion show, workshops, presentations and demonstrations and all around the theme Purpose, Power, Pamper and Passion. 

 

     The women of this committee are very serious about their contributions and they believe, unique to women, that giving to a cause should be fun, with creative opportunities and celebrations.

Investing in Tomorrow

My husband and I were driving through downtown Lorain last Sunday, and he commented to me, “Beth, this area looks as bad and run-down as it did when we were kids.”  I can’t disagree with him — as an Elyria girl, Lorain was always a big mystery to me.  It was lacking in most activity, other than the International Fesitval Parade, while Elyria, in comparison, with all of its county offices, seemed pretty lively.  Granted, we were both too young to remember either city in its glory days, but we’ve heard the tales of shopping and dining on our local city streets instead of at the mall.

This conversation really led me to thinking about the work that we do here at The Community Foundation, which is really investing in the county’s future.  It’s difficult to see the immediate impact of a $20,000 grant to a Main Street organization, yet we have faith that this agency’s work and planning will pay off.  We work with donors on planned gifts that will most likely occur both after their deaths and the termination of our employment with the Foundation.  Yet, they have faith in our organization and in Lorain County that their contributions will be put to good use. 

The truth is, there have been improvements made all over Lorain County. You just have to dig a bit to find those treasures.  The construction of a new Lakeview Park and the Black River Landing are playing on Lorain’s second largest asset, it’s waterfront on Lake Erie.  I think that we’re all hoping that these investments will spur more.

Lord Orrery once said, “Trees are the best monuments that a man can erect to his own memory.  They speak his praises without flattery, and they are blessings to children yet unborn.”   I feel this way about our work.  What we do not see today will make an impact tomorrow.