February 9th NOMINATED CHARITIES REVIEW
These charities have been nominated and are presented for member review. At our in-person meeting on February 9th, these charities will be formally presented by GWYL members Jim McKee, Nikki Sherck, and Linda Ares. 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 GWYL Member Making Nomination: Jim McKee
Name of Nominated Charity: GIVE Medical Ministry
Address for Nominated Charity: 1000 Mote Drive Covington, Ohio 45318
EIN Number for Nominated Charity: 31-1710997
Name of Nominated Charity Contact Person: Linda Kremer
Email for Nominated Charity: giveoffice@ginghamsburg.org
Website for Nominated Charity: https://www.newpathserves.org/
Phone for Contact Person: +1 9374735195
Charity Mission Statement: The purpose of GIVE Medical Ministry is to provide assistance at no charge to people with medical needs, particularly those having limited financial resources, so as to improve their physical health and independence, as well as, their emotional and spiritual well-being.
Annual Income: $19,500
Tell the Heart Story: My in-laws were struggling with their health insurance provider to get a much needed wheel chair. They had been working for several weeks to obtain the necessary approval from their insurance company with no success. With a quick phone call to GIVE Medical Ministry, my in-laws were able to get a wheelchair to allow my father-in-law to transport himself around their house while recuperating from a broken ankle with multiple fractures. I appreciate the compassion and frugality of GIVE which refurbishes medical equipment for use by those in need. In 2022, GIVE provided 1641 pieces of durable medical equipment to those it serves with the majority of those people Miami County residents, In addition to the durable equipment provided they gave 2221 incontinence items to lower income residents. GIVE is an organization with a proven track record of helping the people of Miami County for many years.
Tell Us About the Money: If selected the funds would be used to make repairs to the roof and to purchase durable medical equipment which has been in extremely high demand.
CHARITY B
Name of GWYL Member Making Nomination: Nikki Sherck
Name of Nominated Charity: CASA/GAL of Miami County, Inc.
Address for Nominated Charity: 405 Public Sq, Suite 366 Troy, Ohio 45373
EIN Number for Nominated Charity: 31-1418130
Name of Nominated Charity Contact Person: Nikki Sherck
Email for Nominated Charity: nsherck@miamicountycasa.org
Website for Nominated Charity: www.miamicountycasa.org
Phone for Contact Person: +1 937-335-0209
Charity Mission Statement: To provide dedicated volunteers to advocate in court for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect.
Annual Income: $231,266
Tell the Heart Story: Chris is a young man who entered foster care in Miami County at age 12, Sean Falkowski was assigned as a CASA to Chris' case at that point to advocate for Chris' best interests. Chris was placed in numerous foster homes and eventually aged out of the system after graduating from high school over 6 years later. Sean remained his CASA throughout this entire time. Sean advocated for Chris' needs including where he should live, what services he needed, and then finally how to best set him up for success after graduation. Sean was the one consistent adult throughout Chris' time in foster care. Chris attended Upper Valley Career Center to learn the construction industry, he now has his own apartment and a full time job working for a local construction company. Chris was awarded one of four Leaders of Tomorrow awards presented by the Governor last year. Chris became an advocate for himself and other foster children contacting local and state officials to help kids living in foster be able to get their driver's license at 16 which was previously not allowed in Miami County. There is now a process in place to help make this happen for foster children in our community because of Chris' persistence and the support of his CASA volunteer.
This is just one example of how a CASA volunteer can make a difference in the life of a child who has experienced abuse and neglect. Here in Miami County, every child who has an abuse or neglect case with Juvenile Court is assigned a CASA volunteer to be the child's voice in court and advocate for their best interests.
Tell Us About the Money: We serve every child in Miami County that has an abuse or neglect case before the Juvenile Court and our numbers increased dramatically in 2022 (from 199 children served in 2021 to 254 in 2022.) Funds will go to helping recruit and train new CASA volunteers so we can continue to serve all of the children in Miami County. This will include creation of marketing materials, social media posts and advertisements, updating training materials and printing the streamlined training manual, and performing background checks on all volunteers, etc.
CHARITY C
Name of GWYL Member Making Nomination: Linda Ares
Name of Nominated Charity: LifeWise Academy
Address for Nominated Charity: P.O. Box 1179 Hilliard, OH 43026
EIN Number for Nominated Charity: 45-4002535
Name of Nominated Charity Contact Person: Linda Ares
Email for Nominated Charity: linda@charismin.org
Website for Nominated Charity: https://www.lifewiseacademy.org/
Phone for Contact Person: +1 937-231-8285
Charity Mission Statement: For the good of students: LifeWise Academy serves students by offering practical Bible-based education for the betterment of students' academic performance, character development, and mental health. For the good of public schools: LifeWise Academy serves alongside educators by reinforcing and complementing their efforts.
Annual Income: Estimated: $40,000
Tell the Heart Story: Studies show that eight in ten American youth don't attend church...but nine in ten attend public schools. Reaching youth with the gospel in today's culture is a challenge. LifeWise Academy is a Release Time Religious Instruction (RTRI) program which exists to reach students in public schools with the gospel. Under the RTRI laws, students can be released from public school during the school day to attend religious classes, provided the program is off school property, privately funded and parent permitted. This is a Biblical Instruction program. It is gospel centered, character focused, local church driven, and maintains the highest standards in all areas knowing that it represents God.
Tell Us About the Money: Because LifeWise does not collect local tax dollars, we will fund the program through through local fund-raising and grants. All the money raised stays locally for Tipp students.