May 12th NOMINATED CHARITIES REVIEW
Two charities have been nominated and are presented for member review. At our in-person meeting on May 12th, these two charities will be formally presented by GWYL members Barbara Cooper and Brad Vath. After the presentations and Q&A segment, we will cast our votes. The meeting votes will be combined with the votes from members unable to attend and who voted online.
CHARITY A
Name of Give Where You Live Member Making Nomination: Barbara Cooper
Name of Nominated Charity: Connections of Tipp City
EIN Number for Nominated Charity: 83-1354873
Website for Nominated Charity: www.connectionstipp.org
Charity Mission Statement: To provide a welcoming and safe place for middle school and high school youth to grow and socialize through the media of games, conversation, art, and music.
Annual Income: $45,000
Tell the Heart Story: Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong? Do you remember what it was like in middle school and early high school when you were trying to figure out who you were and where you fit in? We strive to be a space where kids are accepted and know that they are loved and welcomed. Tipp City has no other place for teens to hang out. We want to be a positive and safe space to allow kids to be themselves and learn how to live in peaceful community with one another. Through group mission projects (like picking up trash and mulching the walking trail) we also help teens learn to give back to their community.
Connections has proven to be a place for those kids that feel somewhat disconnected. Following the pandemic closures, kids returned and literally said, “Thank you for keeping this place going!” Another said, “Everyone loves coming here. It’s one place where everyone is accepted.” Parents have told us that Connections is the only place their child socializes. Our reach is limited at this time by the size of our space, but we are changing lives by nurturing the good in our local teens.
Tell Us About the Money: Money received will help us to continue to provide a safe and engaging space for teens to gather after school. Funds help to pay rent, provide wi-fi access, provide games and activities, and ensure that there are at least two adults present when the space is open.
CHARITY B
Name of Give Where You Live Member Making Nomination: Brad Vath
Name of Nominated Charity: Miami County YMCA
Address for Nominated Charity: 3060 S. Cr25A Troy Ohio 45373
EIN Number for Nominated Charity: 31-0537179
Website for Nominated Charity: www.miamicountyymca.net
Charity Mission Statement: To put Christian Principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.
Annual Income: $3,267,000
Tell the Heart Story: My Name is Brandy Reindel. I am the director of the Miami County YMCA childcare. I have been working at the childcare center since 2004 when I started out as a part-time teacher. The YMCA is an exceptional place to work for. I am thankful for all the opportunities I have had while working at the YMCA.
The childcare program is a full-time state licensed program. The program is designed to meet the developmental needs of children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old. Every child in the program is provided opportunities to grow creatively, socially, and academically though hands-on experiences. The children in our program develop a positive self-concept though a balance of self-directed activities and small group interaction. All children in the program receive two healthy snacks daily and 15 mins of physical activity for every hour they are in the program.
The infant program provides care to children 6 weeks to 18 months. Individualized care is the focus with this age group as to follow each child’s feeding and sleeping schedule. Lesson plans are created to meet each child’s developmental stage and milestones.
Fostering independence is the focus for children ages 18 months to 3 years in the toddler program. A daily routine is followed that includes small and large group activities. Lesson plans are created with an emphasis focusing on hands-on experiences that expose children to letters, numbers, colors, shapes, and sensory activities.
The preschool program is designed for children ages 3 to 5 years of age. In this program the children are preparing to go to kindergarten. Lesson plans are created to promote developmental growth socially, physically, and academically. A daily routine also includes free play, small group time, swimming and gym time. Field trips are scheduled weekly in the summer months and occasionally during the school year.
The YMCA provides health and wellness activities, educational field trips, swimming lessons, and gym related fun. The children in our program get an experience not available in most traditional day cares.
The YMCA childcare program provides a safe, reliable, and affordable care to families in the community. I’ve had parents come to me and say they are so thankful for the program, whether it’s due to being a single parent or not having family close by. They are grateful to have a center they can rely on for their childcare needs.
Tell Us About the Money: The funds would be used to purchase new equipment that will help enhance the classrooms for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. The equipment in need is wooden shelving for toys, a glider rocker for infant room, climbing equipment, outside toys, and soft textured items to create quiet and calm spaces for reading. The funds would help replace and update much needed equipment and to create new spaces as well.